How Reese Esponda's 'fairy box' and Simone Biles fuel gymnastics rising star
Reese Esponda put the gymnastics world on notice with her all-around win at the 2026 U.S. Classics. Simone Biles texted Esponda before the win.
Reese Esponda carries a small blue box called her "fairy box" during every gymnastics competition. This box, filled with glitter, charms, and trinkets gathered by her grandmother, brings her luck and a sense of magic. The box is a source of comfort for Esponda, who believes in the fairies that bring her wishes to reality.
Esponda has another fairy godmother in her corner: seven-time Olympic gold medalist Simone Biles. Before the 2026 U.S. Classic, Biles sent a supportive text to Esponda, urging her to believe in herself and use her power as an advantage. This connection between the young gymnast and the Olympic icon has been a significant boost for Esponda's career.
After moving to the World Champions Centre (WCC) in Spring, Texas, under the guidance of Biles' former coaches, Esponda has been doing exceptionally well. On Day 1 of the U.S. Gymnastics Championships, she earned the highest mark of the night on floor exercise (14.45), placing her in sixth position with a score of 54.1. Blakely and Pease are tied for first place with 55.6, followed by Bullock, Rivera, and Carey.
Written by urgent.news from Yahoo Sports's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
