U.S. Champion Hezly Rivera Out Of World Championships For Second Straight Year

Another year, another heartbreak for Hezly Rivera.

The 18-year-old gymnast announced her withdrawal from the 2026 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships on Saturday, Oct. 17, just a day before the U.S. women were set to compete in Rotterdam.

USA Gymnastics announced Saturday that Rivera had “medically withdrawn” from competition. The news came after Rivera appeared at Thursday’s podium training with a heavily taped left ankle, stirring concerns of injury.

On Thursday, Rivera trained just modified skills on uneven bars and balance beam, refrained from tumbling on floor, and avoided vault entirely. While she expressed frustration with her injury after podium training, Rivera did not imply that a withdrawal was imminent.

“I just wanted to modify my training so I can properly heal,” she told reporters on Thursday. “Obviously, this isn’t how I wanted my world championships to go,” she continued, “but I’m still being very grateful and keeping a positive attitude.”

Rivera’s optimism appears to have met a roadblock, meaning her long-awaited world championship debut will have to wait. The New Jersey native trains in Texas under Valeri and Anna Liukin of the World Olympic Gymnastics Academy (WOGA). Known for producing Olympic gold medalists Carly Patterson, Nastia Liukin, and Madison Kocian, the gym also produced current World team member Claire Pease.

2025 World team member and traveling alternate athlete, Dulcy Caylor, will step in for Rivera on the five-person main team. Caylor is expected to step in on balance beam in Sunday’s qualifying round.

Rivera’s Pattern of Injuries

For the two-time defending U.S. Champion and Olympic gold medalist, the announcement adds to a pattern of untimely injuries.

Saturday’s news marks the second consecutive year that Rivera has been withdrawn from world championship contention due to an injury and the second consecutive year that Team USA has been without its national champion.

In 2025, Rivera withdrew from the World Team Selection Event after sustaining an ankle injury, ending her bid for one of the four spots on the U.S. team. After a story-like start to the year – which included her first national title and five-out-of-six gold medals at the U.S. Championships – the news was devastating.

“My focus is on recovery and coming back stronger in 2026,” Rivera wrote in 2025.

It was also devastating for Team USA. The U.S. women sent a weaker team to the 2025 World Championships, delivering only two medals – the fewest from a women’s squad since 2001.

This week the Americans look to clinch their record eighth consecutive team title. Unfortunately, they will have to do so without their national champion.

Rivera has not spoken since Saturday’s announcement of her withdrawal, but plans to remain on the floor with Team USA as they compete in Rotterdam this week.

Follow along as the U.S. men’s and women’s teams compete for medals in Rotterdam this week, with scheduling and streaming available here.

This article was originally published on Forbes.com