Competing Athletes Unveiled at the U.S. Gymnastics Championships Where Simone Biles Steps Back
The 2025 U.S. Gymnastics Championships saw a fierce competition among the country's best gymnasts, with several standout performances across both men and women's divisions.
Women's All-Around Contenders
Hezly Rivera, the youngest member of the 2024 Olympic gold medal-winning U.S. women's team, clinched the all-around title with a total score of 112.000 points. Rivera narrowly beat Leanne Wong, who delivered a strong performance, by 0.8 points. Wong, along with Joscelyn Roberson and Jayla Hang, were key challengers for the title. Hang, the 2025 Pan American All-Around Champion, and Claire Pease, the U.S. Classic champion, were additional significant contenders.
Leanne Wong's consistency kept her routines in the hunt for medals, despite not yet bringing her peak difficulty to the event in 2025. Nola Matthews, known for her artistry, could contend with lower difficulty but strong artistry and fan appeal. Scores from night one will carry over into the final day, and the combined totals will determine the all-around and event final winners.
Tiana Sumanasekera, the Olympic alternate, could make an immediate impact on beam results. Claire Pease, the U.S. Classic All-Around Champion, is also expected to contend for the all-around title. Ashlee Sullivan, the U.S. Classic beam champion, is a frontrunner on beam. Gabrielle Hardie, the Pan American Champion on bars, is expected to factor into the medal podium.
Men's All-Around Contenders
Defending champion Brody Malone competed on four apparatus only, making Fred Richard—who won the NCAA individual all-around earlier in 2025—a favourite for the title. Other notable contenders included Asher Hong and Colt Walker. Four of the five members of the 2024 Olympic bronze medal-winning men's team registered for the event, except Paul Juda.
Reese Esponda emerged as a favourite for the floor national title after his win at the U.S. Classic. Harlow Buddendeck impressed the judges at the U.S. Classic and could be a dark horse for a beam medal. Tatum Drusch, despite not competing recently, is a contender for the beam podium.
The 2025 U.S. Gymnastics Championships will take place from August 7 to 10, promising an exciting competition among the nation's top gymnasts.
Notable Performances
Skye Blakely, a World beam finalist, returned to the event and looked ready. Hezly Rivera impressed on the floor at the U.S. Classic and could win with her showmanship. Jayla Hang could contend on floor with her seemingly effortless tumbling and execution. Joscelyn Roberson brought a rock-solid beam routine to the U.S. Classic and could challenge for beam gold. Dulcy Caylor delivered one of the cleanest routines at the U.S. Classic and could contend for a medal. Alicia Zhou, the Winter Cup bars champion, aims to improve on her fourth-place finish at the U.S. Classic.
Junior phenom Lavi Crain is undefeated in 2025 and is expected to dominate her division. Harlow Buddendeck, a rising star, could be a dark horse for a beam medal.
The senior field for the all-around title is wide open, with five national titles up for grabs. Hezly Rivera, an Olympic Champion training partner of Pease, is also a contender for the all-around title.
- Sports such as gymnastics continue to thrive in the United States, as evidenced by the intense competition at the 2025 Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships, where athletes like Hezly Rivera, Simone Biles (retired), Joscelyn Roberson, and other top contenders showcased their skills.
- As the 2025 U.S. Gymnastics Championships unfolded, various athletes delivered standout performances, proving that sports like gymnastics remain a significant part of America's rich sports landscape.
