17-Year-Old Konnor McClain Takes First Place At Senior Gymnastic Championship, Black Women Sweep Podium

It was a full podium sweep of Black Girl Magic at the U.S. 2022 Senior Gymnastic Championships on August 22.

Respectively, Konnor McClain, Shilese Jones, and Jordan Chiles took the top three spots as senior gymnasts. According to NBC Sports, they became the first three Black women to do so. 

First place McClain, only 17 years old, managed a score of 112.75 with a gold performance on the balance beam. Second place Jones received gold in both uneven bars and floor, with an all-around score of 112, and Chiles followed just behind her with a score of 111.9, as reported

by USA Gymnastics.

McClain’s win was incredibly emotional – winning the same title as her American idol, and gymnastic legend Simone Biles recently accomplished.

 “I never thought this could happen—ever,” she said. “Just looking back at where I was last year, this is just so crazy to me.”

McClain’s past year threw a curve ball for her last competition. She changed coaches and moved cross country. She lost family members to COVID-19 during the peak of the pandemic. In the weeks just before the match, the gymnast recounted suffering from stress fractures in both her shins, a concussion, and the flu. Despite all this, she continued to win first place – donning a leotard with a patch stitched with her late father’s initials. 

 

“I wish I could talk to my dad right now.” She said after her victory, “Anything can happen, so I’m excited about the future.” She said after making

history.

McClain was congratulated by the Women’s Sports Foundation, and the rest of the talented women were praised on Twitter for their making of history.