Hat-trick of gold medals for Biles

The 19-year-old confirmed her status as one of the poster girls of the Games with a dominant victory in the vault on Sunday, becoming the first woman from United States to take victory in the event at the Olympics.

After scoring a 15.900 on her first attempt at a difficulty rating of 6.3, Biles produced a sensational second attempt that yielded a score of 16.033.

Simone Biles' superb Rio Olympics continued as she clinched a third gold medal of the Games in the women's vault. Teenager Biles was tipped for glory before heading to Brazil and the American had already delivered on that promise by topping the podium in the team and all-around events.

And the 19-year-old confirmed her status as one of the poster girls of the Games with a dominant victory in the vault on Sunday, becoming the first woman from United States to take victory in the event at the Olympics.

After scoring a 15.900 on her first attempt at a difficulty rating of 6.3, Biles produced a sensational second attempt that yielded a score of 16.033, giving her an average of 15.966.

Paseka Maria of Russia was the penultimate competitor and had put the pressure on with an average of 15.253, and she took the silver medal ahead of Switzerland's Steingruber Giulia.