ROTTERDAM, Netherlands — When Skye Blakely and her Florida teammates made vision boards last year, she didn't dare put winning the all-around title at the world gymnastics championships on it.
There had been too many dark days. First, after the elbow injury at the Olympic trials in 2021. Then, after the Achilles tear at the Olympic trials in 2024. Days when she didn't know if she'd even be back, let alone what kind of shape she would be in. To win the all-around at worlds — to cement herself as the gymnast to beat two years from now at the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles — seemed too much to ask.
But as she did one dazzling routine after another in the all-around final Friday, Oct. 23, Blakely kept telling herself to believe. If not for the her of right now, then for a younger version of herself, when she didn't know what her future held.
"I think she would want it to be real, but in that moment it was hard to see there was a way to even be here," Blakely said. "Just fight for her. That’s what I kept telling myself. I am capable, I am ready. I think I made every version of myself extremely proud."
Blakely gave the U.S. women their 15th all-around title at the world championships, and few have been more emotional. She finally has an individual medal in four appearances at the world championships, and it puts her in the same company as Simone Biles, Shawn Johnson and Shannon Miller.
Skye Blakely fought through two devastating injuries
But it is what she's endured to get here that makes Blakely's triumph so special. Tommy John surgery on her elbow after tearing it at the 2021 Olympic trials. More surgery after the Achilles tear in 2024. She didn't even start doing the all-around at the elite level until this summer, and she was still getting gassed by the exertion of it on Day 2 of the U.S. championships.
And now, she's best in the world.
After being so intense throughout the meet, Blakely let loose after hitting her final pose on floor exercise. Her eyes filled and she had to purse her lips to keep from sobbing. When coach Owen Field greeted her with a hug after she came off the podium, the tears flowed freely.
"I'd been really telling myself there’s no other option. I know how to do it and I need to do it," Blakely said. "I know what I’m capable of. I just needed it all to come together at the right time. I couldn’t have asked for a better night or a better moment."
BEAM QUEEN, SKYE BLAKELY pic.twitter.com/kcGqSxkQz8
— USA Gymnastics (@USAGym) October 23, 2026
Skye Blakely wouldn't let up in world all-around final
Blakely started with a strong vault that put her in second place, and she kept building. She scored 14.2 or better on each of her first three routines, including on balance beam.
Beam has long bedeviled Blakely, especially at the biggest meets. Not on this day, however. She wore a look of intensity as she ticked off one skill after another, fighting for every tenth in her routine. When she landed her dismount, Field clapped and her U.S. teammates in the stands shouted in celebration.
Blakely's challengers had fallen away one by one. Algeria's Kaylia Nemour, the pre-meet favorite, could never dig herself out of a hole after stutter-stepping on her vault run and only doing a simple layout. Alena Goltova of Russia, the leader after that first rotation, fell twice on beam.
China's Ke Qinqin fell on her beam dismount, and Russia's Ludmila Roshchina couldn't match Blakely's difficult on floor. But Blakely didn't let up. Her tumbling passes were big, and she had the crowd clapping along to her music. Her only real flaw was a shuffle on the landing of her final pass, but it wasn't enough to keep her from the gold.
AND NOW WE WAIT! https://t.co/6TY7mPvNA3
— USA Gymnastics (@USAGym) October 23, 2026
Though her 12.933 clinched the win, Blakely had to wait more than five minutes until it was official. When the final standings posted, Blakely leaned into Field and wiped away tears.
"I think I just said, 'You're Skye Blakely, baby,'" Field said. "I say that to her before routines sometimes and I told her never forget it. She can do hard things and she's just amazing."
Blakely's final score of 55.733 was more than a half-point ahead of Roshchina, with Ke finishing seven-tenths of a point back. Fellow American Claire Pease was seventh.
What Skye Blakely said after winning world all-around gold
Someone handed Blakely an American flag, which she wrapped around her shoulders before climbing back onto the podium. When she was introduced as the world champion during the awards ceremony, her smile was even brighter than the gold medal hanging around her neck.
"It means everything. I’m still trying to believe it fully," Blakely said. "To be here and to be wearing this medal, representing my country, I’m just beyond grateful. I was praying throughout today that I can inspire other girls to not give up on themselves. To keep pushing and reach for their dreams."
Blakely did, and look at her now. The world champion.
Follow USA TODAY Sports columnist Nancy Armour on social media @nrarmour.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: USA's Skye Blakely couldn't see a way back. But look at her now: World champion.