U.S. Champion Hezly Rivera Out Of World Championships For Second Straight Year
Olympic champion Hezly Rivera withdrew from the 2026 World Gymnastics Championships with an ankle injury, just a day before the U.S. women compete in Rotterdam.
Hezly Rivera, an 18-year-old gymnast and two-time defending U.S. Champion, has decided to medically withdraw from the 2026 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships. The announcement was made just a day before the U.S. women were scheduled to compete in Rotterdam. Rivera appeared at Thursday's podium training with a heavily taped left ankle, raising concerns about her injury.
She trained with modified skills on uneven bars and balance beam, refrained from tumbling on the floor, and avoided vault entirely. Despite her frustration, Rivera expressed gratitude and a positive attitude. Her decision to withdraw follows a similar pattern of injuries, marking the second consecutive year she has been withdrawn from world championship contention due to an injury.
Team USA will now compete without its national champion, a situation that adds to the disappointment after a disappointing 2025 World Championships, where the U.S. women only won two medals.
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