“I was aware it was pretty close, right before I went on the floor, probably a minute or two. It’s a little bit nerve-racking, but I just tried to trust the process and trust God and just let my body do what it knows how to do,” Hezly Rivera shared with NBC, referring to her narrow 0.2 lead over the 21-year-old competitor, Leanne Wong. Within a year, the athlete soared from being one of the youngest U.S. Olympians in Paris to becoming the youngest signature athlete for GK Elite to capturing the coveted all-around national title.
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At the Xfinity Championships, the 17-year-old athlete amassed 112 points within two days, edging past two-time Olympic alternate Wong by a slim 0.8 margin, with fellow Paris alternate Joscelyn Roberson claiming third.
Well, the 2025 Xfinity Championship certainly made a strong case for the U.S. women’s gymnastics’ transition era. Rising stars Joscelyn Roberson, Hezly Rivera, and Leanne Wong lit up the stage, proving the next generation is ready to take over. With icons Simone Biles, Suni Lee, Jordan Chiles, and Jade Carey stepping back after the Paris Olympics, the spotlight shifted, and Rivera seized it in style, etching her name into history with a stunning victory.
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Hezly Rivera not only clinched her first U.S. all-around crown but also became the youngest champion since Ragan Smith in 2017. Adding to the feat, she’s the first woman since Jordyn Wieber to claim both junior and senior all-around titles (2008, 2011-12) and just the sixth American since 2000 to pair Olympic gold with a national all-around triumph, joining legends Simone Biles, Wieber, Shawn Johnson, Nastia Liukin, and Carly Patterson.
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Now, with the Xfinity crown on her head, the 17-year-old is all set to take part in the 2025 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Jakarta. But before that, she might take some rest. And her reaction after winning the championship? Let’s find out.
Hezly Rivera’s first reaction after winning the championship
“It means the world to me to take this national championship title home because I worked so hard for this,” Hezly told NBC Sports on August 10. “It was not easy coming back after the Olympics. I took some time off—so much work in the gym, hard work, blood, sweat, tears. I’m just so grateful that I’m here today.”
With her eyes set on the Las Vegas Olympics, Rivera stated that she has been eyeing the World Championships for some time now, “My goals are the 2025 Worlds, and ’26, ’27, and then the Olympics in 2028. Those are my long-term goals.” She further added, “Obviously, I have little goals to worry about each and every day. I just set tiny goals, not just every day, but like every month, and just take it one step at a time and see where it takes me.”
Well, Hezly Rivera is going to Jakarta for the World Championships, as the all-around winner is automatically selected. Now, the committee will decide on the other three athletes who will represent Team USA in Jakarta.
Written by
Edited by
Ahana Chatterjee