Hezly Rivera aims to retain U.S. all-around gymnastics crown in Phoenix

Hezly Rivera, the 16-year-old Olympic gold medalist, is set to defend her U.S. all-around gymnastics title at the Xfinity U.S. Championships in Phoenix, broadcast on one outlet and Peacock. After winning the national crown at 17, she described her next steps as "unfinished business" and emphasized a step-by-step approach toward future goals such as a World Championships berth. Rivera missed last year's world-team selection due to a sprained ankle, and she now aims to secure a spot on the five-woman squad for the upcoming Worlds in Rotterdam, Netherlands.

The field also includes two-time Olympic champion Jade Carey, who returned from a hamstring issue, and Skye Blakely, who was sidelined by an Achilles rupture before the 2024 Olympic Trials. Rivera highlighted her daily reminder of the LA28 logo in her Texas bedroom and said she is not yet looking ahead to the 2028 Games.