PHOENIX — Two summers ago, Hezly Rivera was a lesser-known member of the U.S. women’s Olympic gymnastics team in Paris. Now, she stands out as a leading figure in the sport. The 18-year-old has taken on this role as the 2028 Olympics approach. Rivera’s talent was evident during the U.S. gymnastics championships, where she claimed her second consecutive national title, despite recovering from a hamstring injury from the Pan Am Games in June.
Rivera’s total score of 111.950 was over a point ahead of runner-up Claire Pease. This achievement marked her as the first American woman to win back-to-back titles, not including Simone Biles, since Jordyn Wieber did so in 2011 and 2012. Rivera feels she belongs in such esteemed company. “I am comfortable with it,” she said, embracing her leadership role.
Her coach, Anna Liukin, describes Rivera as “motherly.” Rivera, although amused by this description, agrees with it in a sense. She aims to guide the next generation of gymnasts as she once was. “I think it’s just really important to give pep talks,” she said. Her ability to encourage herself and others was tested when she recovered from a fall on the uneven bars on Thursday. By Sunday, Rivera turned in a disciplined performance to move up the ranks.
With a black-and-white bedazzled leotard glittering under the lights, Rivera showcased her growing star power. She avoided scoreboard distractions and focused on her routines, maintaining professionalism throughout the competition. Now, she prepares for her first world championship team. After overcoming a previous setback due to an ankle injury, Rivera is determined to perform well in the coming international events, despite not being fully recovered physically.
During this championship, Pease managed to secure second place. Her floor routine, though, included mistakes such as a step out of bounds. Yet, her performance marked significant improvement from the previous year. Skye Blakely struggled with her routines, finishing seventh, but found comfort in her progress since 2024. Young Charleigh Bullock finished third, while Reese Esponda, linked with the Biles’ family gym, took fourth place.
Silver medalist Jade Carey, who won the vault title, observed Rivera’s progress. “Hezly did a fantastic job and proved she can rebound from challenges,” Carey noted. Rivera’s journey continues to inspire, as she aims for more accolades with her strong mentality and performances both on and off the floor.
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