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NBC News
22 minutes ago
- Sport
- NBC News
Hezly Rivera adds U.S. all-around gymnastics title to her Olympic gold medal
In a year, Hezly Rivera has gone from the youngest U.S. Olympian across all sports in Paris to the all-around national champion. Rivera totaled 112 points in two nights of competition in New Orleans, prevailing by eight tenths over Leanne Wong, a two-time Olympic alternate. Joscelyn Roberson, another Paris Olympic alternate, was third. Rivera led Wong by two tenths going into the last rotation, then delivered the best floor exercise score (14.2) by anyone on either night. 'I was aware it was pretty close, right before I went on the floor, probably a minute or two,' she said on NBC Sports. 'It's a little bit nerve-racking, but I just tried to trust the process and trust God and just let my body do what it knows how to do.' While the rest of her Paris gold-medal teammates are taking this season off, Rivera took a major step in her young career. Rivera is: at 17, the youngest U.S. all-around champion since Ragan Smith in 2017 the first woman to win junior and senior all-around titles since Jordyn Wieber (2008 and 2011-12) the sixth American woman since 2000 to pair Olympic gold with a national all-around title (Simone Biles, Wieber, Shawn Johnson, Nastia Liukin, Carly Patterson) Rivera, the 2023 U.S. junior all-around champ, opened the 2024 Olympic selection season by placing 24th at the U.S. Classic (about a week after her grandmother died). She climbed to sixth in her senior U.S. Championships debut, then fifth at the Olympic Trials as some veteran gymnasts became sidelined by injuries. Rivera was picked to be the lone rookie on the Olympic team alongside Biles, Suni Lee, Jade Carey and Jordan Chiles. She competed on uneven bars and balance beam in the qualifying round in Paris. 'My mindset is kind of like, I achieved my dreams, I achieved my goals, but I still have more (goals), so I kind of like to put that (the Olympics) in the back of my head for now,' Rivera, who now has a set of Olympic rings above her bed, said in July. 'Every time in the gym, I don't think that I went to the Olympics. I'm just kind of training like I've almost never been, in a way.' This week, Rivera had the highest scores on beam and floor, plus shared the bars title with Skye Blakely. Wong, the most experienced woman in the field at 21, won vault. She was bidding to become the second non-teen in the last 50 years to win a U.S. all-around title after Biles. Next up: a selection competition in early autumn, after which four women will be named to compete at October's World Championships in Jakarta, Indonesia. These worlds include individual events only. The all-around winner at the selection event automatically makes it. A committee picks the other three, taking into account results at nationals and other 2025 meets. Skye Blakely stars on balance beam, uneven bars Blakely shows out on bars, beam at nationals Skye Blakely scored a 14.350 and 14.400 on uneven bars and balance beam respectively on Day 2 of the 2025 Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships. Two months ago, Blakely didn't know yet whether she wanted to compete at nationals. She was runner-up to Biles at the 2024 U.S. Championships, then tore her right Achilles two days before the Olympic Trials. In her first elite meet in 14 months, Blakely competed strictly on beam and bars this week. She had the top scores on each event Sunday, two days after placing tied for eighth and ninth on them. 'It was first (elite) meet back in a while, but I have high expectations for myself, so day one wasn't exactly what I was looking for,' said Blakely, who did compete this past NCAA season for the University of Florida. 'Just really staying motivated, allowing my family to motivate me, too. And then this morning, just trying to find that fire in me, really staying motivated, dig deep. You know how to do this. I feel like it really reflected in today's competition.'
USA Today
7 hours ago
- Sport
- USA Today
Hezly Rivera steps into the spotlight at US gymnastics championships
Hezly Rivera has the spotlight all to herself. A year after her unexpected inclusion on the Paris Olympic team, Rivera served notice that she's going to be a gymnast to watch in the leadup to the Los Angeles Games. The 17-year-old won her first title at the U.S. gymnastics championships on Sunday night, establishing herself as a favorite for the all-around at the world championships this fall. 'It means the world to me,' Rivera said. 'I've worked so hard for this. It was not easy coming back after the Olympics.' The world championships are Oct. 19-25 in Jakarta, Indonesia. The women's team will be announced later, while national champion Asher Hong; Paris Olympian Brody Malone; Brandon Dang; Patrick Hoopes; Kameron Nelson and Donnell Whittenburg made the men's team. Then 16, Rivera was a longshot to make the Paris team. But injuries to world medalists Shilese Jones and Skye Blakely at the Olympic trials gave Rivera an opportunity, and she grabbed it. Rivera was the youngest member of all of Team USA. Though she only did two events in qualifying and did not compete in the team final, she will forever be an Olympic champion alongside Simone Biles, Suni Lee, Jordan Chiles and Jade Carey. Now, with her Olympic teammates all taking a break, Rivera is showing she can hold her own. Her score Sunday of 56.4 points was the highest in the world this year (I put no stock in Russian Cup scores), and her two-day score of 112 was 0.800 points ahead of Leanne Wong. Rivera also tied with Blakely for the top score on uneven bars and was first on balance beam and floor exercise. Now, this doesn't mean Rivera is a lock for Los Angeles. Of the women who were on the podium at the last two national championships following an Olympic Games, only Jordan Chiles went on to make the next Olympic team. (Chiles was the silver medalist in 2017 and the bronze medalist in 2022.) But Rivera is carrying herself like the Olympic champion she is. If she stays healthy, this title will be the first of many. Here are other takeaways from the U.S. gymnastics championships: Skye Blakely returns Skye Blakely looks as good as ever. The two-time world championship medalist was considered a lock for Paris before tearing her Achilles during training at the Olympic trials. This after she'd torn an elbow ligament during the 2021 Olympic trials. But Blakely, 20, hasn't been deterred, saying she plans to go through Los Angeles. She made her return at the national championships, tying with Rivera for the top score on uneven bars, her signature event. Blakely was second to Rivera on balance beam, though her 14.4 on Day 2 was the highest score on the event of the entire competition. Joscelyn Roberson's floor routine Joscelyn Roberson isn't messing around with her floor routine. The Paris alternate, who trained with Simone Biles before going to Arkansas last year, has a monster 6.5 start value on floor. That's the highest for any American on any event right now, and is the toughest floor routine being done in the world right now. (Biles had a 6.8 start value on floor last year, but she's otherworldly.) Roberson had some issues with some of her landings, and she crunched her ankle when she came up short on a pass Sunday night. But give her a few more months to train the routine, and she should be in contention for a medal at the world championships. Men's title Asher Hong is the U.S. champion, but Brody Malone remains the U.S. man to beat. Malone, a three-time U.S. champion, only did four events at nationals because of a knee injury. But his 16.251 on high bar on Day 2 was the highest score of the entire meet and is a routine that will put him in contention for a medal at the world championships. Malone also had the highest two-day score on parallel bars, was second on still rings and third on pommel horse. Hong won his second U.S. title easily, finishing more than 7 points ahead of fellow Paris Olympian Frederick Richard. That's the largest margin of victory ever at the U.S. championships. Neither Richard nor Stephen Nedoroscik made the world team. Nedoroscik, who endeared himself to the entire country as 'The Pommel Horse Guy,' has only been training for three months and fell on his routine on Day 2. Paul Juda retires Paul Juda went out on top. Juda announced his retirement during an in-meet interview with NBC on Saturday night. He was the only member of the bronze-medal-winning U.S. men's team who didn't compete at the national championships. 'I just realized, in this moment, there was nothing more that I wanted to achieve in this sport,' Juda said. '... Sometimes you've got to know when to walk away. And I'm happy doing that today.' Juda making the Paris squad was something of a surprise, but he made the most of his Olympic moment. He helped the U.S. men win bronze, their first Olympic medal since 2008, and was the top American in the all-around. After joining Simone Biles' G.O.A.T. tour, Juda returned to Michigan for his final season. He helped the Wolverines win the NCAA title and finished second to Frederick Richard in the all-around, then proposed to longtime girlfriend Reyna Guggino after the meet. 'This has been the journey of a lifetime,' Juda said Saturday. 'I've got no regrets. I'm full of joy and I'm ready to move on with my life. So thank you so much for the ride and the emotions and the highs and the lows. It's been the best, best, best years of my life.' Follow Nancy Armour on social media @nrarmour.
NBC Sports
17 hours ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Blakely shows out on bars, beam at nationals
Skye Blakely scored a 14.350 and 14.400 on uneven bars and balance beam respectively on Day 2 of the 2025 Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships.
NBC Sports
4 days ago
- Sport
- NBC Sports
Key Athletes to watch at the 2025 Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships
The 2024 Paris Olympics marked the first time since 2008 that both the U.S. men's and women's artistic gymnastics teams earned Olympic medals. Each team featured the 2024 U.S. Gymnastics Championships all-around winners, Brody Malone and 11-time Olympic medalist Simone Biles. This weekend, gymnastics is back in the the Big Easy for the 2025 Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships on the road to the 2025 World Championships in Jakarta in October. Biles will not be competing in New Orleans this weekend, while Malone does not intend to compete in the all-around, leaving room for new champions. Here's a look at some of the gymnasts aiming to solidify their spot on the Worlds team as well as how to watch the action kicking off tonight, Thursday August 7th, on Peacock. RELATED: 2025 Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships: How to watch, schedule, preview Hezly Rivera Just over a year ago, Rivera stood on the podium in Paris to claim her first Olympic gold medal, the youngest member of the U.S. gymnastics team and the youngest member of Team USA across all sports. This year in Louisiana, she's the sole returner from the 2024 Golden Girls squad as she looks to capture the all-around title. She's had a tough season this year, falling at Winter Cup and twice at U.S. Classic in July. After that meet, Rivera posted in part on Instagram: 'not the meet I hoped for, but there is more to come. on to the next!' Skye Blakely Skye Blakely last competed in elite gymnastics a year ago at this exact meet. Finishing second all-around behind Biles, Blakely was a near-lock for Paris. Weeks later, during practice for the Olympic Trials in Minneapolis, she ruptured her Achilles. This was Blakely's second major injury after tearing an elbow ligament at the Olympic Trials in 2021. The 20-year-old has come back strong from both, and is coming off her first NCAA season at Florida, scoring a collegiate-best 9.95 on bars at the 2025 SEC Championships. Blakely intends to compete only on bars and beam at these Championships, but could be on the podium for both. RELATED: A resilient Skye Blakely returns at Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships Leanne Wong The recent Florida graduate is arguably the most accomplished gymnast at the meet: a two-time Olympic alternate and four-time worlds medalist with 11 career perfect 10s in her time at Florida, Wong has a lengthy resume of consistency and execution that could set her apart in a field with less experience. After performing two solid but relatively conservative routines in the U.S. Classic on uneven bars and balance beam, Wong will make an official elite return, competing in all four events in Louisiana. Claire Pease At 16, Claire Pease kicked off her first season in elite gymnastics by winning the U.S. Classic, and in New Orleans she could become the youngest U.S. women's senior all-around champion since Simone Biles in 2013. She heads to New Orleans with the chance to win consecutive U.S. junior and senior all-around titles, which would make her the first woman to do so since Shawn Johnson in 2006 and 2007. Before joining senior competition, Pease was undefeated in junior domestic meets last year, winning the Winter Cup, Classic, and the U.S. Championships. Pease's strength lies in her difficulty across all events, but her execution could determine whether she secures gold. Depending on who you ask, Stephen Nedoroscik may be better known as Gymnastics' 'Clark Kent,' TikTok's 'pommel horse guy,' or a Dancing with the Stars finalist. After his sensational pommel horse performance at the 2024 Paris Olympics, which secured the U.S. a bronze medal — its first in almost two decades — Nedoroscik took a nine-month break from elite gymnastics. He was the only member of the Paris men's team to secure an Olympic medal in an individual event, winning pommel horse bronze. He's also the first American to win on pommel horse at Worlds, earning the victory in 2021. If Nedoroscik takes home his fifth U.S. pommel horse title, he'll break the record for most in history, where he's currently tied with John Roethlisberger and Jim Hartung. Brody Malone Brody Malone holds three of the last four U.S. all-around titles and stands as the lone competitor in the field to travel to both Tokyo and Paris, but will not defend his 2024 all-around title in New Orleans. Last year's national title was a comeback fairytale for Malone. 14 months before being crowned the U.S. all-around champion, Malone suffered massive knee injuries in a high bar dismount fall. The 2022 world champion made a remarkable recovery to secure a spot on the five-man Olympic team, but his journey to Los Angeles in 2028 remains questionable. Malone will compete in only four of the six apparatuses in New Orleans: pommel horse, rings, parallel bars, and high bar. Asher Hong The race for all-around champion is expected to be between two returners from the 2024 Olympic team — Frederick Richard and 2023 U.S. all-around champion Asher Hong. Hong, the six-time individual NCAA champion at Stanford, has won titles across rings, vault, parallel bars, and floor exercise. Hong is the older brother to two fellow gymnasts, Xander and Kiefer, with Kiefer competing in the junior men's event this week. Frederick Richard Although he's never been crowned the all-around champion at Nationals, Michigan star Frederick Richard is no stranger to the all-around podium. Four months ago, he won the NCAA all-around title by a mile, scoring an 84.264, more than two points better than runner-up and Olympic teammate Paul Juda (Michigan). At February's Winter Cup, he finished 2nd in the all-around behind Stanford's Riley Loos. Last year, Richard secured the individual all-around title at Olympic Trials. Richard winning gold on the all-around should shock no one. His strong high bar and floor exercise routines will give him an edge, but his performances on pommel horse and vault will be the deciding factors. RELATED: Stephen Nedoroscik returns from Olympic fame, plans to ride the pommel horse through LA 2028 The Battle of the Pommel Horse Specialists After a breakout moment for the pommel horse at the Paris Olympics, the event is once again expected to be in the spotlight at this year's Championships, with Nedoroscik's expertise likely facing challenges from two competitors. Utah native Patrick Hoopes has taken major leaps in his pommel horse routine, scoring a 29.45 at 2024 Olympic Trials, outscoring Nedoroscik's 29.30 in the process. Hoopes won his second NCAA pommel horse title for Air Force this year, and was 2nd at Winter Cup in February. Brandon Dang, a rising junior at Illinois, isn't far behind after taking the pommel horse title at the Winter Cup. 2025 Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships Schedule The 2025 Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships will be held at the Smoothie King Center in New Orleans, Louisiana, from August 7 to August 10. Is Simone Biles competing at 2025 U.S. Championships? Biles, the reigning all-around champion, will not compete this weekend. Since 2013, only three gymnasts have claimed the U.S. all-around title: Biles, Ragan Smith, and Konnor McClain. The latter two won during Biles' absences in 2017 and 2022, respectively. As for Los Angeles 2028, Biles has yet to confirm whether she will compete at a third Olympics.
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
A resilient Skye Blakely returns at Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships
There was a time last summer when Skye Blakely, toting crutches after surgery, reflected with her parents about how well she competed at the 2024 U.S. Gymnastics Championships a month or two earlier. Blakely finished runner-up to Simone Biles at those nationals, confirming she was a bona fide contender for the five-woman Paris Olympic team. Three weeks later, Blakely ruptured her right Achilles' tendon while training on floor exercise, two days before the Olympic Trials. She underwent season-ending surgery. "Just talking about the feeling of how I competed at (2024 U.S.) Championships — I was very free, I was very relaxed, and I was having fun," Blakely recalled. "That was a newer kind of feeling for me. I don't always compete like that. "They (mom Stephanie and dad Steven) were just like, 'You see how well you did, and you're still talking about how (much) more you have to give. Allow that to drive you for this next Olympics.'" Blakely returns to elite gymnastics competition for the first time in 14 months at this week's Xfinity U.S. Championships. 2025 Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships: How to watch, schedule, preview NBC Sports and Peacock air live coverage of the Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships from New Orleans. Nick Zaccardi, She plans to do strictly balance beam and uneven bars, eschewing vault and floor for now. She is working toward returning to all-around competition in 2026. Even without doing all four events, she can still be chosen for this October's World Championships, which include individual events only. The four women for worlds will be decided at a selection competition in early autumn, though results at nationals will also play a role in committee picks. Blakely's young senior career — she is 20 years old, coming off her freshman year at Florida — has already been defined by perseverance. At the Tokyo Olympic Trials, she tore an elbow ligament warming up for vault, her first event. Blakely underwent Tommy John surgery, then came back to earn places on world championship-winning U.S. teams in 2022 and 2023. In 2024, Blakely could have been the first-timer on an Olympic team otherwise full of veterans (Simone Biles, Suni Lee, Jade Carey, Jordan Chiles). Instead, she could be the experienced rookie in 2028. A day after the Achilles tear, she posted, "I'm devastated and heartbroken but I believe everything happens for a reason. I was so close to reaching my dream but this injury was unavoidable. I had an amazing season that I am extremely grateful for. the plans we have for ourselves aren't always the plans God has for us. I'm going to keep my chin high and be proud of the statement I have made for myself these past couple years. I'll be back." Blakely, a Texan who started gymnastics at age 3, matriculated at Florida later last summer. She told coaches with determination that she planned to make it through physical rehab and be available for the first meet of the NCAA season in January 2025. "There were some people who were like, 'I don't think you will compete. We're not sure if you will or be ready,'" she said. "I was like, 'I'm going to be ready.'" On Jan. 10, Blakely mounted the bars minutes after older sister Sloane did in front of about 6,000 people at the O'Connell Center. She scored 9.725 in Florida's season-opening meet. Blakely's original plan was to make the 2024 Olympics and move on from elite gymnastics. But as she saw others go to college and then return to elite successfully — like Lee, Carey and Chiles — Blakely revised her thinking. "Right after I got hurt, I was like, I'm going for 2028," she said. Blakely began to feel like her old self in June. Through physical therapy, she had overcome weakness in her calf and discomfort in her heel after the NCAA season, which her surgeon had told her to expect. The next three years will be about progression, from getting her skills back to developing into a seasoned NCAA competitor. Come 2028, she can become the first U.S. female gymnast to make her first Olympic team off qualifying for her third Olympic Trials since Kelly Garrison in 1988. "That kept me motivated, knowing how close I was to making the team, knowing how ready I was," she said. "The injury keeping me back from making that team just motivates me more." Claire Pease wins Saatva U.S. Classic, extends women's gymnastics junior-to-senior pipeline With Simone Biles in attendance, Claire Pease won the primary tune-up meet for the U.S. Gymnastics Championships. Nick Zaccardi,
