(Sports Correspondent: Imran Sohail)
Hezly Rivera Wins First National Gymnastics Title, Eyes World Championships in Jakarta
A year ago, Hezly Rivera was the fresh face of U.S. gymnastics — a teenager surrounded by Olympic champions like Simone Biles, Sunisa Lee, Jade Carey, and Jordan Chiles. She watched closely, learning from their confidence and composure.
“They looked so confident,” Rivera recalled. “They’re like, ‘I’m going to go out and I’m going to hit.’ It gave me that confidence as well.”
Fast forward to now, and the 17-year-old gymnast is making her own mark. Rivera clinched her first national title at the U.S. Championships on Sunday night with a two-day total score of 112.000, edging out Leanne Wong. Her performance has put her in prime position to lead Team USA at the World Championships in Jakarta, Indonesia, this October.
Rivera — the youngest member of the gold-medal-winning team at the Paris Olympics — delivered a polished and steady performance, highlighted by a beam routine that matched the perfection she shows in her Texas training gym. This victory comes just weeks after a shaky showing at the U.S. Classic, proving her resilience and ability to perform under pressure.
For Rivera, the secret to success was simple: letting go of expectations and focusing on enjoying her gymnastics. With the 2028 Olympics still on the horizon, the young star is quickly becoming the face of the next generation in American gymnastics.
