Simone Biles Makes SI's Fittest 50 Females List

Dec 13, 2014 by Becca Reed

World Champion Simone Biles recently made the cut for Sports Illustrated’s Fittest 50 Females.

Sports Illustrated chose these women across all sports based on four criteria: strength, speed, endurance, and agility. Sports illustrated defined these categories below:

• Strength: the pushing-off power of a pole vaulter or the ballistic backhand of a Grand Slam champion

• Speed: the top-end velocity of a sprinter or the quick-cut burst of a point guard

• Endurance: a cyclist’s ceaseless drive or a boxer’s ability to absorb punishment and keep punching

• Agility: the fluid movements of a gymnast or the knife-edge balance of a downhill skier

Biles not only made this top 50 list, but she came in ranked number one in the agility category. The top in the strength category is tennis player Serena Williams, number one for speed is track and field athlete Allyson Felix, and the female who topped the endurance category is road cyclist Kristen Armstrong.

Former gymnast, most known for her appearance on American Ninja Warrior, Kacy Catanzaro also made the list.

Other athletes on the list include tennis star Maria Sharapova, Olympic soccer player Abby Wambach, swimming standout Missy Franklin, and three time Olympic gold medalist in beach volleyball Kerri Walsh Jennings. Among the other sports represented were surfing, Crossfit, ballet, triathlon, and MMA. Check out the full list by Sports Illustrated here.

It’s no surprise to gymnastics fans that Biles would make this list and we are glad to see gymnasts recognized for their athleticism! Which gymnasts would you add to the list? Tell us in the comments section below.

Related:
Simone Biles to Compete at 2015 AT&T American Cup
Watch Biles' Floor Routine From 2014 World Championships