The Last Gymnast to Beat Simone Biles in the All-Around

Katelyn Ohashi announced her return to competitive gymnastics on June 24, 2026, ending a seven-year hiatus, according to Olympics.com. Ohashi previously gained prominence as a standout athlete for UCLA and remains one of the few gymnasts to defeat seven-time Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles in an all-around competition.

The announcement marks the first time Ohashi has pursued competitive gymnastics since her collegiate career ended. According to Olympics.com, the gymnast has been away from the sport for seven years before deciding to return to the gym.

Ohashi’s history in the sport is defined by a rare victory over Simone Biles. At the 2015 P&G Championships, Ohashi won the all-around title, placing her among the last athletes to beat Biles in that specific format before Biles established a period of prolonged global dominance.

Why is Katelyn Ohashi returning to gymnastics?

Ohashi did not provide a specific competitive target or a particular tournament in the initial announcement reported by Olympics.com. However, the return follows a period where she transitioned away from the high-pressure environment of elite gymnastics to focus on other pursuits after her time at UCLA.

Gymnastics analysts note that a return after seven years is uncommon due to the physical demands of the sport. Athletes typically retire in their early 20s, and Ohashi’s hiatus spanned the peak years of most elite gymnasts’ careers.

How did Ohashi previously compete against Simone Biles?

Ohashi’s victory at the 2015 P&G Championships served as a benchmark for her technical ability. According to historical competition records, she secured the all-around win by delivering consistent performances across all four apparatuses.

This victory occurred during a transitional phase of the sport. While Biles was already a dominant force, Ohashi’s win highlighted a moment of parity in the all-around standings that became increasingly rare as Biles accumulated more Olympic and World Championship titles.

The contrast between the 2015 landscape and the 2026 environment is significant. In 2015, Biles was an emerging powerhouse; by 2026, Biles is recognized as a seven-time Olympic gold medalist, creating a much higher threshold for any athlete attempting to challenge for top honors.

What was Ohashi’s record at UCLA?

Before her seven-year break, Ohashi was a primary figure in NCAA gymnastics. According to UCLA athletic records, she was known for her precision on the balance beam, where she frequently earned perfect 10.0 scores.

Her collegiate career shifted the focus from the rigid requirements of elite international gymnastics to the performance-based scoring of the NCAA. This transition helped Ohashi maintain a high public profile through viral videos of her routines, which emphasized artistry and fluidity.

During her tenure at UCLA, Ohashi contributed to the team’s standing as a powerhouse in collegiate gymnastics, though she eventually stepped away from the sport entirely following her graduation and the conclusion of her eligibility.

What happens next for Ohashi’s comeback?

The immediate path for Ohashi involves rebuilding the strength and flexibility required for elite-level maneuvers. A seven-year gap requires a phased return to training to avoid injury, particularly on high-impact events like the vault and floor exercise.

It remains unconfirmed whether Ohashi intends to compete in official sanctioned events or if the comeback is focused on exhibition and personal milestones. Olympics.com has not yet listed a specific competition schedule for the athlete.

The gymnastics community now looks to see if Ohashi can replicate the form that allowed her to defeat Biles in 2015. The current scoring system and the increased difficulty of modern routines present a different challenge than the ones she faced nearly a decade ago.