Veteran Skye Blakely had the best U.S. women’s all-around score during qualifying at the World Gymnastics Championships.
Blakely, making her world all-around debut at her fourth championships, totaled 55.465 points in Rotterdam, Netherlands. Blakely returned to the elite all-around competition this year for the first time since tearing her Achilles tendon before the 2024 Olympic trials, when she was one of the favorites to make the Paris team.
“I’ve cried before, but this means the world to me,” said Blakely, who also tore a ligament in his elbow while warming up for the Tokyo Olympic trials. “Knowing everything I’ve been through: two major surgeries, a lot of hardship, ups and downs. »
Blakely was followed by world championship rookie Claire Pease, who scored 54.432. Both are expected to advance to Friday’s women’s 24-all-around final, although that’s not official yet since most of the women’s teams still have to qualify later on Sunday and Monday.
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The United States is also expected to be a top qualifier for Wednesday’s team final, broadcast live on Peacock and NBCSN.
The Americans have won the last seven world team titles dating back to 2011, and have placed at least one woman on the individual all-around podium at every Olympic and world Games since 2003 – a streak of 23 consecutive world championships.
Skye Blakely was a candidate to make the 2024 Olympic team before an injury she described as heartbreaking.
This year’s five-woman U.S. team does not include any gymnasts with Olympic experience, a first for the United States at a worlds with a team event since 2011, the year the streak began.
Hezly Rivera, the youngest U.S. Olympian in any sport in Paris at 16, was on the original team for the world championships but withdrew Saturday for medical reasons.
Three Americans competed in the all-around during qualifying, where up to two per country can advance to the all-around final. Charleigh Bullock, at 16, the youngest American to compete at the world championships since 2018, placed third behind Blakely and Pease with 53.499 points.
The U.S. men qualified fifth for Tuesday’s eight-team final, where the top qualifier was Olympic champion Japan.
Frederick Richard, the team’s only 2024 Olympian, and 19-year-old senior recruit Danila Leykin, 19, finished 11th and 24th in qualifying to advance to Thursday’s all-around final.
Richard also reached the floor exercise final, while 2025 Worlds bronze medalist Patty Hoopes reached the pommel horse final. Both are Saturday.
The World Gymnastics Championships will take place October 17-25 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.
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