Hezly Rivera Defends All-Around Crown at 2026 U.S. Gymnastics Championships

Competing in Phoenix, Hezly Rivera recovered from an unexpected fall on the uneven bars to secure her back-to-back all-around championship at the 2026 U.S. Gymnastics Championships, posting a combined score of 111.95. Her floor routine earned a 14.3, and a solid vault of 14.4 gave her a 1.15-point edge over Claire Pease, who finished second with 110.8 and claimed the uneven bar title. Rivera also captured the balance beam title, while Charleigh Bullock, Reese Esponda and two-time Olympic champion Jade Carey rounded out the top five.

The duel between Rivera and Pease locked them into automatic qualification for the upcoming selection camp, where a five-person squad will be chosen for the World Championships in Rotterdam, the first event offering a berth to the LA28 Olympics on home soil. Skye Blakely, a returning contender, fell on floor and fell out of medal contention.