Hezly Rivera Claims U.S. All-Around Championship and Prepares for Paris 2024

Hezly Rivera, born June 4, 2008, has rapidly become one of the brightest stars in American gymnastics. The youngest U.S. Olympian at the Paris 2024 Games has now claimed the U.S. all-around national championship, making her the youngest champion since 2017. Rivera, representing WOGA Gymnastics in Plano, Texas under head coach Valeri Liukin, totaled 112 points across two nights of competition in New Orleans, edging out two-time Olympic alternate Leanne Wong by eight-tenths of a point. Another Olympic alternate, Joscelyn Roberson, finished third.

Rivera entered the final rotation with a slim lead of just two-tenths over Wong but delivered a clutch performance on floor exercise, earning the highest score of the meet (14.2) and securing her title. Reflecting on the pressure, Rivera shared on NBC Sports, “I was aware it was pretty close, right before I went on the floor, probably a minute or two. It’s a little bit nerve-racking, but I just tried to trust the process and trust God and just let my body do what it knows how to do.”

Her journey over the past year has been remarkable. Rivera won the 2023 U.S. junior all-around title and started the 2024 Olympic selection season with a 24th place finish at the U.S. Classic, shortly after losing her grandmother. She improved quickly, taking sixth at her senior U.S. Championships debut and fifth at the Olympic Trials as veteran gymnasts were sidelined by injuries. As a result, Rivera was named the only rookie on the Paris Olympic team alongside icons Simone Biles, Suni Lee, Jade Carey, and Jordan Chiles. In Paris, she competed on the uneven bars and balance beam during qualifications.

This week, Rivera continued her stellar form, achieving the highest scores on both balance beam and floor, and sharing the uneven bars title with Skye Blakely. Wong, at 21, was the most experienced gymnast in the field and claimed the vault title, attempting to become only the second non-teen in 50 years to win a U.S. all-around title after Biles.

Looking ahead, Rivera is now a favorite for a spot at the 2024 World Championships in Jakarta, Indonesia, with a key selection competition set for early autumn. The all-around winner at the selection event will automatically qualify, while a committee will choose three more athletes based on recent performances. Skye Blakely is also in contention after returning from injury and posting the highest scores on beam and bars during her first elite meet in over a year.

Rivera’s rapid rise and mature approach signal a bright future for U.S. women’s gymnastics. With her blend of composure and technical skill, she will be a key athlete to watch as the Olympic cycle continues and new challenges await on the world stage.