Hezly Rivera medically withdraws from 2026 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships

ROTTERDAM, Netherlands – For the second year in a row, Hezly Rivera will miss the world championships because of injury.

Last year, Rivera withdrew from the U.S. women’s world team selection camp after rolling her ankle. This year, she made it to the world championships after winning her second consecutive U.S. all-around title, but during podium training, she was limited by what she said was “left ankle pain.”

Said ankle was heavily wrapped as she marked her floor routine and sat out of vault. Even on the other two events, where she did mostly full routines, she rolled out of her bars dismount and did a layout timer on beam.

Earlier this year, Rivera pulled out of the Pan American Championships with a sore hamstring after only competing on vault.

2025 world team member Dulcy Caylor will replace Rivera. The U.S. women compete in qualifying at the 2026 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships on Sunday.

Jade Carey is the non-traveling alternate, but USA Gymnastics confirmed to Gymnastics Now that she will not be flying to Rotterdam despite Rivera’s withdrawal.