"That was terrifying" - Utah State Gymnastics coach Gracie Kramer on trying Simone Biles' tumbling pass for the first time

By Abhiruchi Rout

Modified Aug 22, 2024 08:53 GMT

Gracie Kramer recently executed tumbling passes that were reminiscent of Simone Biles' performance. They included some of the passes that Biles showcased during the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Kramer, who is currently a volunteer assistant coach for Utah State, was seen performing these flips at her personal gymnastics facility, as captured in the video. To be on the safe side, the 26-year-old replaced the long gymnastics mat with a padded pit, providing a secure landing surface for practicing challenging skills.

Kramer uploaded a video showcasing these tumbling passes, inspired by Simone Biles' skills, to her YouTube channel, which boasts a following of 374K subscribers. The video, aptly titled "Training Like an Olympic Gymnast," can be viewed below:

Here's what Kramer said after attempting the tumbling pass for the first time (1:40 onwards):

"Oh my god. Why did I close my eyes? That was terrifying. I whipped that back so hard and I closed my eyes the whole time. That's my toxic trait is with double flipping. I literally go like this terrible tactic. I'm going to try once more."

After doing it for the second time, the former UCLA Bruins women's gymnastics team member said:

"Okay, thank god. My eyes were open on the set and then I closed my eyes. Then, I opened them again and I think I gave myself a concussion. I smacked my head so hard."

This was the first time Kramer attempted such challenging tumbles, flips, and twists. The video has garnered praise from fans, who have appreciated her courage and dedication to mastering these impressive skills.

In addition to her coaching career, Gracie Kramer has become a sports influencer on Instagram, where she has 423K followers. Having competed for the UCLA Bruins for a substantial period, she announced her retirement from competitive gymnastics in 2020.

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From battling 'twisties' in Tokyo to winning three golds in Paris: Simone Biles' sensational redemption

Simone Biles in women´s balance beam finale on day ten of the Paris Olympics Games (Photo via Getty Images)

Simone Biles had to withdraw from several events at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, held in 2021, after experiencing the "twisties," a mental block commonly faced by gymnasts. This condition involves a feeling of disconnection between the body and mind.

However, after taking a well-deserved break following the Tokyo Olympics, the 27-year-old made a stunning return by winning three gold medals at the Paris Olympics. She triumphed in the women's individual all-around, team all-around, and vault events.

Additionally, she also collected silver in the women’s floor exercise event. With this, Simone Biles has now amassed 11 Olympic medals throughout her Summer Games career.