Skye Blakely Leads U.S. Women in Worlds Qualifying

Skye Blakely posted the second-highest all-around qualifying score at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Rotterdam, Netherlands, helping the U.S. women secure second place behind China in the team standings on October 18, 2026.

China Edges United States in Qualifying at Rotterdam Championships

The United States women finished with a team total of 164.529 points after the opening three subdivisions of qualification at the 2026 World Championships in Rotterdam Ahoy. China edged out the Americans for the top spot in qualifying with 164.996 points. Historical precedent points to the weight of that opening position, as every Olympics and World Championships with a team event since 2007 has seen the top-qualifying team go on to claim the gold medal, despite scores resetting for the final.

Italy moved into second place in the team standings with 162.430 points after a strong showing in the third subdivision. The Italian squad outscored the U.S. on both uneven bars and balance beam, fueled by Elisa Iorio and Giulia Perotti on bars alongside Manila Esposito on beam. Japan claimed third place with 161.630 points following a competition that saw standout moments tempered by apparatus mistakes.

This year’s five-woman American roster features zero gymnasts with prior Olympic experience, marking a first for a U.S. team at a worlds with a team event since 2011. The lineup adjustments began before competition even started. Hezly Rivera, the youngest U.S. Olympian across all sports in Paris at age 16, withdrew on October 17 due to a left ankle injury. Dulcy Caylor stepped into the beam rotation in Rivera’s place, contributing a 13.300 score to the team effort.

Skye Blakely Leads the All-Around After Long Road Back From Surgery

Competing in her fourth World Championships, Blakely posted a 55.465 all-around total to finish second individually behind Algeria’s Kaylia Nemour, who tallied 55.999 points in Rotterdam. Blakely led the U.S. contingent across three individual events, registering 14.333 on uneven bars and 14.166 on balance beam during Sunday’s subdivision.

The performance marks a milestone in a career punctuated by major medical interruptions. Blakely tore an ulnar collateral ligament in her left elbow while warming up for vault at the U.S. trials ahead of the Tokyo Olympics. Just as she positioned herself as a favorite for the Paris Olympic team in June 2024, she ruptured her right Achilles tendon during floor exercise training two days before the trials.

I already cried, but it just means the world to me. Knowing how much I’ve been through — two major surgeries, a lot of hardships, ups and downs.

Skye Blakely

Blakely will advance to Friday’s all-around final alongside worlds rookie Claire Pease, who qualified seventh with a 54.432 total. Charleigh Bullock finished 14th overall in qualifying at age 16, making her the youngest American to compete at worlds since 2018.

Individual Event Finals and New Code of Points Submissions

American gymnasts secured berths across all four individual event finals. Pease and Blakely advanced on vault, Blakely qualified for the uneven bars and balance beam finals, and Reese Esponda and Pease moved on to the floor exercise final.

The Rotterdam competition also served as a proving ground for new elements submitted to the Women’s Technical Committee.

• Charleigh Bullock submitted a clear pike circle backward with a 1.5 turn, designated with an E difficulty value.
• Naomi Visser of the Netherlands submitted a triple pirouette with her leg at horizontal, also valued at an E.
• Reese Esponda submitted a free roundoff from two feet, carrying an A difficulty rating that exempts it from being officially named after her.

Two other submissions, including a toe-on tuck 1.5 from Ellie Black, were rejected for naming because they already correspond to elements existing within the Code of Points.