The 2025 Pan American Championships in Panama City was shaping up to be a stunning showcase for USA Gymnastics. The men’s team, riding a wave of red-hot momentum, absolutely dominated the qualifying rounds, clinching the top spot. Josh Karnes led the charge, snagging a well-deserved silver in the all-around, while other standouts like Brandon Dang and Taylor Christopulos shone bright, earning their spots in the event finals for pommel horse and floor exercise, respectively. Not to be outdone, the women’s team, featuring incredible talents like Hezly Rivera and Tiana Sumanasekera, was just as ready to dazzle, set to hit the floor on Saturday morning. With the World Championships in Jakarta on the horizon, everyone was buzzing that the Americans were on track for a triumphant finish, solidifying their status as a gymnastics powerhouse. But then, an unexpected twist threatened to derail their golden dreams.

Heartbreak struck late on June 13 when 22-year-old Taylor Burkhart, a crucial part of the U.S. men’s lineup, shared some crushing news on his Instagram story. “Unfortunately tweaked my back yesterday during qualifications and had to pull out of team finals Saturday, and rings, p-bars, and high bar event finals Sunday,” Burkhart revealed. The Stanford star, known for his incredible skill on parallel bars and high bar, continued with a heavy heart, “Not how I saw the week going, but that’s the sport — and I know it’s the right call with the bigger picture in mind. Grateful to be here and pumped to cheer on Team USA the rest of the week 💪 Triple pike will have to wait 😈.”

His withdrawal from both the team final and event finals due to this back injury sent shockwaves through the US Team. It was a massive blow, especially after the men’s team had been on such a roll. Burkhart, who had helped Stanford defend their NCAA title earlier this year and even nabbed silver on floor and vault at the Varna Challenge Cup, was expected to be a cornerstone in the finals. His absence leaves a significant gap in the events where he truly excels. So, how would Team USA adapt to this sudden challenge?

Enter Asher Hong, the 21-year-old powerhouse who was named as Burkhart’s replacement for the team final on Saturday. Hong, a member of the bronze medal-winning team at the 2023 World Championships, brings his own undeniable flair with strengths on floor and rings. But with the stakes incredibly high, the question remains: will Hong’s last-minute inclusion be the spark Team USA needs to overcome this setback and reclaim their path to gold?

In Panama, USA Gymnastics Chases Gold and World Championship Momentum

The 2025 Pan American Championships in Panama City have turned the Atlapa Convention Center into an electrifying arena of acrobatics and ambition from June 12 to 15. For USA Gymnastics, this isn’t just any competition; it’s a crucial stepping stone on their path to the World Championships in Jakarta later this year. As the official continental championships for the Americas, sanctioned by the International Gymnastics Federation, the Pan Am stage is where gymnasts from North, South, and Central America, plus the Caribbean, battle it out for medals and vital momentum. With the U.S. men’s team already nailing the top spot in qualifying, the excitement is palpable. But why is this event so incredibly important?

Beyond the glint of gold, silver, and bronze, these Pan Am Championships are a significant qualifier for the 2026 Central American and Caribbean Games and a key checkpoint on the road to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. For the U.S. team, it’s a golden opportunity to perfect their routines and build unshakeable confidence before they face off against the world’s best in Jakarta. The women’s team, with stars like Hezly Rivera and Tiana Sumanasekera, are set to light up the floor on Saturday morning, aiming to conquer vault, bars, beam, and floor. Meanwhile, the men, even with Taylor Burkhart’s unfortunate withdrawal, are relying on dynamic talents like Asher Hong and Brandon Dang to keep their competitive edge sharp. How will this intense competition shape their mental game?

Adding to the buzz, Panama has introduced the FIG-approved CANNICE apparatus, a technological first for the region, ensuring every athlete performs under optimal conditions. With the Panamanian Gymnastics Federation and the Pan American Gymnastics Union orchestrating a seemingly flawless event, the stage is perfectly set. Can Team USA harness this moment, this energy, this challenge, to propel them straight toward World Championship glory?