US stars Biles, Douglas battle for gymnastics supremacy

After battling side by side for a third consecutive team gold for the United States, teenage stars Simone Biles and Gabby Douglas next clash for all-around supremacy at the world gymnastics championships.

The duel for individual gold in Glasgow's Hydro Arena on Thursday night will see defending champion Biles up against Olympic gold medallist Douglas.

Biles, 18, has won the last two world titles, while 19-year-old Douglas, who took a two-year break after her London Games all-around and team golds, is bidding for her first world all-around crown.

"It's just like old times. It was just amazing. I'm glad that I'm back," said Douglas after helping the US women to a fifth team gold since 2003 on Tuesday night.

Douglas will not only be bidding to prevent Biles becoming the first woman to win three consecutive world titles but also the US gymnast with the most world medals. She is currently tied at 10 with Alicia Sacramone -- seven of them in gold.

Biles and Douglas were joined by Aly Raisman, the Olympic floor and team gold medallist, Margaret Nichols, and Madison Kocian in delivering a stunning display to set themselves up as favourites to defend their Olympic title in Rio next year.

The Americans were in charge from their first apparatus, the vault, also excelling on beam and floor, finishing 5.174 ahead of China with 181.338.

Biles scored highest on vault, beam and the floor.

But Douglas, who qualified third for the all-around behind Biles and Switzerland's Giulia Steingruber, warned that she wants to add the world all-around title to her two world team golds.

"Second (place) isn't acceptable. We're all so competitive we all love to win," said Douglas.

The US were the only team out of the eight finalists who did not fall on any rotation where three gymnasts compete on each apparatus -- vault, beam, uneven bars and floor -- and all three scores count.

"I hope I can keep it up in the all-around," said Biles, who has become the star of women's gymnastics since joining the senior team three years ago.

"Making the (USA) Olympic team is my dream, and hopefully if I can do that, I can plan the rest out."

Douglas, however, wants to become the first woman since 1968 to defend her Olympic all-around title.

- Great emotion -

Led by Shang Chunsong, the Chinese moved up from fourth to match their silver from last year (176.164) with hosts Great Britain (172.380) securing a first world medal amid great emotion.

"Because we were not expecting the gold we just told ourselves this competition is to gain experience, and just to relax as best as we can," said Shang. "All the girls did a great job. Although I had a small mistake on floor, it wasn't a problem for me."

The British team fought back after a fall by Ellie Downie on their first rotation the uneven bars.

"She really made me proud, it shows what a fighter she is," said older sister Rebecca Downie after Ellie secured bronze with her final vault.

"It's a massive, massive achievement," said Rebecca Downie.

"This medal has boosted our confidence a million times for next year. Hopefully we can pull off what we did today next year."

Russia dropped off the podium for the first time since 2007 with an error-strewn performance in which Olympic all-around silver medallist Viktoria Komova fell off the uneven bars and the beam.

The competition continues on Wednesday with the men's team final with reigning five-time all-around champion Kohei Uchimura leading Japan's bid for a first team title since 1978.

Olympic champions China have won every team gold but one since 1994.
Source: AFP