American gymnast wins record third straight world all-around title

American Simone Biles won a record third straight world all-around title at the gymnastics world championships here on Thursday, Xinhua reported.

Her compatriot Gabrielle Douglas, the reigning Olympic gold medalist, took silver and Larisa Andreea Iordache of Romania won bronze.

Shang Chunsong, who helped China to win the silver medal in the team final on Tuesday, finished fourth. Her teammate Wang Yan was 11th.

Biles scored 60.388 points to edge out Douglas, who took two years off following her London Olympic success, by 1.083 points.

Shang, who was the first to finish her routine and scored 58.265 points, was leapfrogged by Iordache, Douglas and Biles one after another.

Biles became the first woman in history to win three straight world all-around titles.

"I don't have words to describe it," said a jubilant Biles.

"I just keep blowing my own mind but it was really strange for me, especially on floor.

"On beam, I think I gave the whole world a heart attack, as well as myself out there. Then floor, I had never gone out of bounds, but I guess there is a first for everything."