US athlete Hezly Rivera triumphs over adversities to secure first national title in Olympics competition
Hezly Rivera, the rising American gymnast, has cemented her status as one of the top talents in U.S. women's gymnastics. At the recent 2025 Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships held in New Orleans, Louisiana, Rivera clinched her first U.S. National title.
Training at WOGA Gymnastics in Plano, Texas, Rivera showcased her consistency and high-scoring routines over the two-day competition. On Day 1, she led the all-around with a score of 55.6, just edging out Joscelyn Roberson. Rivera's performance was particularly impressive on the balance beam, where she scored the highest with a 14.35, and on the floor exercise, where she secured the second-highest score with a 14.0.
Rivera's dominance continued on Day 2. She increased her lead with a score of 14.000 on the beam, the highest score of the day, and delivered a stunning 14.200 on the floor exercise, the highest score of the weekend, to clinch the U.S. National title.
Rivera's impressive performance earned her gold medals on the uneven bars, balance beam, and floor exercise, marking a significant milestone in her career. She shared the uneven bars title with two-time World Champion Skye Blakely, who posted the highest bar score of the weekend with a 14.350.
Joscelyn Roberson, despite incurring a five-tenth deduction for using a sting mat on her vault, managed to secure the bronze medal on bars, her first podium finish at the U.S. Gymnastics Championships. Leanne Wong, on the other hand, claimed sole possession of the vault title with a massive six-tenths increase on her score from night one. Wong also delivered an intricate bar routine and nearly stuck her double layout dismount.
The 2025 Senior Women's National Team was announced, including Hezly Rivera, Leanne Wong, and Joscelyn Roberson. The U.S. women's team for the 2025 Senior World Championships will be determined at the World Championships Selection Camp, scheduled for September 29 to October 2.
Rivera's achievements, including her gold medal at the 2024 Paris Games and her consistent performances in 2025, have enhanced her prospects for selection to the World Championships. She joins an elite group of American women holding both Olympic gold and national all-around titles, including Simone Biles and Jordyn Wieber.
At just 17 years old, Rivera is the youngest U.S. all-around champion since 2017 and the first woman since Jordyn Wieber to win both junior and senior all-around titles, making her a promising athlete to watch in the future of U.S. gymnastics.
Sports fans got to witness a historic moment at the 2025 Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships, as Hezly Rivera won the U.S. National title, adding another accolade to her impressive gymnastics career. Her consistent high-scoring routines and dominance over two days solidified her status as a top U.S. gymnast, placing her among the likes of Simone Biles and Jordyn Wieber.
