Hezly Rivera captured her second consecutive U.S. women’s gymnastics all-around title at the 2026 Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships in Phoenix, overcoming a slow start to win by more than a full point. Rivera finished the two-day competition with a total score of 111.950, according to Yahoo Sports.
Hezly Rivera Rallies to Win Second Consecutive U.S. All-Around Title
The victory required a historic comeback. Rivera sat in fourth place after the first night following a fall on the uneven bars that left her trailing the leader by six-tenths of a point. She was still recovering from a hamstring injury sustained at the Pan Am Games in June, but posted a 56.950 on the second day of competition. Her floor routine pushed her into the lead, ultimately securing a victory 1.15 points ahead of the runner-up.
I wasn’t looking at the scoreboard; I was just focused on myself and my gymnastics and what I had to do,
Rivera told NBC Sports on the broadcast. It was actually, like, stress free. I took all the pressure I could off myself because it’s not fun when you’re stressed or nervous.
Podium Results and Individual Apparatus Medals
Dallas-area training partner Claire Pease finished second in the all-around standings with a score of 110.800. Pease had shared the opening-day lead alongside Skye Blakely, and went on to claim the uneven bars title with a 28.550 while earning a silver medal on vault.
Charleigh Bullock placed third in the all-around competition with a 110.550, adding a bronze medal on the uneven bars. Meanwhile, Rivera successfully defended her title on the balance beam with a 28.700, earned a silver medal on the floor exercise with a 28.300, and posted the evening’s highest single-vault score at 14.400. Jade Carey placed fifth overall in the all-around with a 108.750 and captured the vault gold medal.
Historic Milestone and Growing Leadership Role
Rivera’s back-to-back victory makes her the first American woman not named Simone Biles to win consecutive national all-around titles since Jordyn Wieber achieved the feat in 2011 and 2012.
Having previously served as the youngest U.S. Olympian across all sports at the 2024 Paris Games—where she competed strictly in qualifying as the U.S. secured team gold—Rivera has transitioned into a prominent leadership position for the national program. Coached by Valeri and Anna Liukin at WOGA Gymnastics, the 18-year-old embraces guiding younger athletes as the sport looks ahead to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Next Steps Toward the World Championships
Following the conclusion of the national championships, the top two all-around finishers—Rivera and Pease—earned automatic invitations to a World Selection Event scheduled for later in the fall. Athletes at the selection event will compete for spots on the team for the World Championships, which are slated for October 17–25 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
Additionally, USA Gymnastics announced the members of the 2026–27 Senior National Team, selecting athletes including Skye Blakely, Charleigh Bullock, Jade Carey, Dulcy Caylor, Tatum Drusch, Reese Esponda, Zoey Molomo, Caroline Moreau, Claire Pease, Lila Richardson, Hezly Rivera, Simone Rose, and Izzy Stassi.
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