The Core Hydration Classic drew intense attention as the scene of a highly anticipated showdown between Simone Biles and Gabby Douglas, rekindling their rivalry from the drama-filled 2016 Rio Olympics. However, the competition took an unexpected turn when Douglas withdrew after the first rotation due to a low score on the Uneven Bars.

Following the electrifying performances at the 2024 Core Hydration Classic in Hartford, USA Gymnastics has unveiled the list of athletes qualified for the prestigious 2024 Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships. Despite earlier setbacks, it looks like we might still witness the highly anticipated clash between Simone Biles and Gabby Douglas.

Simone Biles and Gabby Douglas will headline 2024 Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships as well

This highly anticipated 2024 Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships will take place from May 30 to June 2 at Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas. The Championships promise to showcase the crème de la crème in American gymnastics, featuring both seasoned veterans and promising new talents and are an important qualifier for the US Olympic trials. Following the thrilling 2024 Core Hydration Classic in Hartford, USA Gymnastics has announced the names of 42 women in the senior section who have qualified to compete at the 2024 Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships. The standout athletes and their apparatus specializations are:

Simone Biles — Spring, Texas/World Champions Centre (All-Around)
Shilese Jones — Auburn, Wash./Ascend Gymnastics Center (All-Around)
Suni Lee — St. Paul, Minn./Midwest Gymnastics Center (Vault, Balance Beam, Floor Exercise)
Skye Blakely — Frisco, Texas/WOGA Gymnastics (All-Around)
Leanne Wong — Overland Park, Kan./University of Florida (All-Around)
Jade Carey — Phoenix, Ariz./Oregon State University (All-Around)
Dulcy Caylor — Spring, Texas/World Champions Centre (All-Around)
Jordan Chiles — Vancouver, Wash./World Champions Centre (All-Around)
Kayla DiCello — Boyds, Md./Hill’s Gymnastics (All-Around)
Gabby Douglas — Anna, Texas/WOGA Gymnastics (Vault, Uneven Bars, Balance Beam)

34 men in the senior category too, have qualified to compete at the 2024 Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships. The standout athletes are:

Javier Alfonso — Miami, Fla./University of Michigan
Fuzzy Benas — Richmond, Texas/University of Oklahoma
Asher Hong — Tomball, Texas/Stanford University
Yul Moldauer — Arvada, Colo./5280 Gymnastics
Brody Malone — Aragon, Ga./EVO Gymnastics
Fred Richard — Stoughton, Mass./University of Michigan
Shane Wiskus — Spring Park, Minn./EVO Gymnastics
Khoi Young — Bowie, Md./Stanford University

14 junior women qualified to compete at the 2024 Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships. The budding prodigies are:

Isabella Anzola — Statham, Ga./Georgia Elite Gymnastics
Harlow Buddendeck — Rochester, N.Y./RGA
Charleigh Bullock — Spotsylvania, Va./Capital Gymnastics National Training Center

And among the 43 junior men who have qualified to compete at the 2024 Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships, the top three names include:

Christian Bart-Williams — Murphy, Texas/WOGA Gymnastics
Grant Bowers — Taylors, S.C./Hayden’s International Gymnastic Academy
Nartey Brady — Los Ranchos, N.M./Eagle Ridge Gymnastics

As we reflect on these standout names, it’s crucial to understand why Suni Lee and Gabby Douglas did not qualify for the All-Around competition.

Why aren’t Suni Lee and Gabby Douglas participating in All-Around?

Douglas suffered a significant setback, falling twice during her routine and managing only a 10.1 on the bars. This score placed her far below the all-around cutoff of 51, effectively ending her chances of advancing in the all-around event. Heartbreakingly, Chapter 9 of the Elite Program, point A1, explicitly states, “No petitions will be considered for athletes obtaining an all-around score at a Classic competition.” Despite this setback, fans can still look forward to a showdown at the Nationals, though not in the all-around competition.

Similarly, Suni Lee delivered a commendable performance, especially considering her return to the discipline after a long hiatus due to a kidney disorder. Although Lee competed in only three apparatuses, she was quite content with her overall showing. Lee is slowly building her confidence to be able to do the all-around event since her health crisis.

Her coach Jess Garba shared, “We needed to get floor out of the way and we really wanted to get beam under pressure, and since beam was last, that’s [exactly] what we wanted.” Her standout performance came on the balance beam, where she secured first place with an impressive score of 14.6. As we anticipate another thrilling showdown, who are you rooting for as your national Champions? Comment below!