By Hannah Blackwell

Ruby Evans’ debut senior appearance at gymnastics’ World Championships ended with a sixth place finish as part of the Great Britain squad.

The 16-year-old Welsh star gave an impressive and mature all-round display, but some of her more experienced colleague were slightly under-par and GB were unable to get among the medals.

Simone Biles led the United States to a record seventh consecutive title with Brazil taking the silver and France earning bronze.

Biles, 26, had returned to international competition in Antwerp for the first time since taking a two-year break from the sport.

The US, who lost Joscelyn Roberson to injury in the warm-up, scored 167.729.

Great Britain finished sixth with a total of 161.864 points, gained by Evans, Jessica Gadirova, Ondine Achampong, Alice Kinsella and Georgia-Mae Fenton after qualifying for the final in second place.

“It obviously didn’t go the way we wanted it to, but we just wanted to go out there, enjoy it and get the experience, which we did. I’m super proud of the girls,” said Kinsella.

What an time to be Welsh. Congratulations to Ruby Evans 1st Welsh gymnast in 17yrs to make it to the World Championships as part of Team GB 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿🏴󠁧󠁢󠁷󠁬󠁳󠁿 https://t.co/lWXjYWK94K

— Annie Ward Clothier (@annie_clothier) October 4, 2023

“It’s given us a lot of confidence going into next year and Paris, so I’m super excited to see what happens next year.”

Gadirova – who fell on landing during the vault competition – said: “It’s difficult but sometimes you have to have these experience to learn and progress.

“I definitely had fire in my belly when it came to floor, the lesson is to always pick yourself up and keep going and that’s what we all did. We have more finals to look forward to and we’ll give it our all.”

Great Britain also finished outside the podium places in Tuesday’s men’s team final as Japan took gold.

After her first of six finals, Biles’ now holds 33 medals at the Olympic games and world championships, equalling Vitaly Scherbo as the all-time record holder.

No woman has won more world team medals than Biles, now a five-time world team champion.

“This team that we have throughout this year had the most grit, courage and fight, especially after everything that transpired out on the floor,” said Biles.

“You had Jos go down, you had somebody step up to the plate. We had so many different emotions going throughout the day and it wasn’t USA’s best day. It’s crazy, we still pulled it out, so I’m really, really proud of the team.”

Landed AMANAR from GB’s Ruby Evans! pic.twitter.com/EjAOU3YJz1

— Gymnastics Now (@Gymnastics_Now) September 28, 2023

Biles, 26, had returned to international competition in Antwerp for the first time since taking a two-year break from the sport.

The US, who lost Joscelyn Roberson to injury in the warm-up, scored 167.729.

Great Britain finished sixth with a total of 161.864 points, gained by Evans, Jessica Gadirova, Ondine Achampong, Alice Kinsella and Georgia-Mae Fenton after qualifying for the final in second place.

“It obviously didn’t go the way we wanted it to, but we just wanted to go out there, enjoy it and get the experience, which we did. I’m super proud of the girls,” said Kinsella.

“It’s given us a lot of confidence going into next year and Paris, so I’m super excited to see what happens next year.”

Gadirova – who fell on landing during the vault competition – said: “It’s difficult but sometimes you have to have these experience to learn and progress.

“I definitely had fire in my belly when it came to floor, the lesson is to always pick yourself up and keep going and that’s what we all did. We have more finals to look forward to and we’ll give it our all.”

Great Britain also finished outside the podium places in Tuesday’s men’s team final as Japan took gold.

After her first of six finals, Biles’ now holds 33 medals at the Olympic games and world championships, equalling Vitaly Scherbo as the all-time record holder.

The Rise Of Ruby . . . A Jewel In The Crown Of Welsh Gymnastics

No woman has won more world team medals than Biles, now a five-time world team champion.

“This team that we have throughout this year had the most grit, courage and fight, especially after everything that transpired out on the floor,” said Biles.

“You had Jos go down, you had somebody step up to the plate. We had so many different emotions going throughout the day and it wasn’t USA’s best day. It’s crazy, we still pulled it out, so I’m really, really proud of the team.”