Jordan Chiles may still be fighting for her Olympic bronze medal, but amid that battle, she found something priceless. She found pure, unfiltered joy. At the Big Ten Championship, with the weight of controversy still lingering over her, Chiles delivered a moment that no ruling could take away. As she soared through her floor routine, UCLA’s legacy of brilliance in the event met the heart of an athlete who refused to be defined by setbacks.
For Chiles, this wasn’t just about winning. No, it was about rediscovering her love for gymnastics. As she ran to her teammates, they embraced her, knowing how much this meant. “We never gave up. And with Jordan getting her 10, I got so emotional,” the UCLA Bruins gymnastics team member Emma Malabuyo shared. The Bruins not only secured the nation’s highest floor score this season, but they also gave Chiles the moment she deserved.
For Chiles, this night was more than a championship. It was proof that she could still own the narrative. “When you felt like everything could be in shambles and there’s one thing that can lift it, that’s what I felt like UCLA gymnastics did for me,” she admitted. While the legal battle over her Olympic bronze looms, she refuses to let it consume her. Instead, she’s pouring everything into her final season with the Bruins. In the process, proving that no controversy, no ruling, can take away the love she has for this sport.
When both judges flashed their scorecards, revealing the first perfect 10 of the meet, Chiles threw her hands up in disbelief. It wasn’t just a score. It was validation, a moment of pure redemption. She sprinted to the corner, high-fiving teammates, hugging her parents, and letting the weight of it all sink in. “The team wanted to show her you’re one of us. We want you to enjoy gymnastics. And find that passion and love for the sport again,” Malabuyo said.
And in that moment, it was clear. Chiles had found it. UCLA’s floor squad has established itself as a standard of excellence throughout its history. Yet Chiles’ ten reaches beyond the realm of artistry. Through her score, the Bruins gained a national season-best total of 49.800 on floor. Their current floor routine has performed better than any other event since 2020.
This, in turn, has enabled them to beat Michigan State despite the close competition. But beyond the numbers, beyond the history books, this was about something bigger. This was a gymnast reclaiming her love for a sport that had previously let her down.
Jordan Chiles leads UCLA to historic Big Ten Championship victory
On March 22 at Crisler Arena in Ann Arbor, Michigan, the UCLA Bruins and Jordan Chiles staged an iconic display at the 2025 Big Ten Women’s Gymnastics Championships. The Bruins established new championship records during their Crisler Arena performance by compiling a team total of 198.450, which became both Big Ten Championship history’s maximum score and UCLA’s fourth-best result ever.
According to bigten.org, UCLA achieved a historic first by getting three gymnasts to score perfect 10.0 scores in one competition. This happened when Chiles got 10.0 on the floor and both Brooklyn Moors (floor) and Ciena Alipio (beam) achieved a 10.0. Through winning the championship, Chiles demonstrated her position at the top level of competitive sport.
During competition at 23 years old, the athlete handed out her third flawless score of 10 points both for the season and her entire career, thus tying with Moors according to uclabruins.com. Meanwhile, UCLA finished their season with complete victories in both Big Ten Regular Season and Championship titles. The Bruins achieved victory through Chiles’ leadership and her two routines that exceeded 9.850 during the contest.
Earlier in March, at the Big Four Meet, she claimed the all-around title for the fourth time this season. “It means so many emotions. Sorry about my voice—I’ve been screaming all day! This was a spectacular meet, and I’m so proud of every athlete who came out here today,” Chiles said after the win. After the March 2 competition, Chiles received her fifth recognition as Big Ten Gymnast of the Week.
The overwhelming triumph of her season indicates that she competes beyond the ordinary as she succeeds immensely. Jordan Chiles has established a legacy throughout NCAA gymnastics that will be remembered forever as she continues her journey.
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