Ahead of the 2026 U.S. Classic, Katelyn Ohashi joined a media call to discuss her comeback, if she is considering adding events, and what it will take to punch her ticket to August’s U.S. Championships. She was candid, funny, and clearly enjoying every step of the process.

“I’m mentally strong and physically getting there,” Ohashi said.

Here’s a high-level rundown of the key takeaways from our talk with Ohashi.

The key to Phoenix

Ohashi’s path to the 2026 Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships runs through two events next weekend in Hartford, Connecticut. She is focusing on beam and floor, and to qualify, she’ll need to earn a 26.800 combined score across the two — a tall task.

“Qualifying for championships would be the ultimate goal,” Ohashi said of her goal for the Classic.

For reference, Ohashi scored a 13.150 on beam and 11.500 on floor at the American Classic in late June, totaling a 24.650.

READ MORE: Who’s registered for the 2026 U.S. Classic? Entry list, updates, how to watch

Why now?

Ohashi has been thinking about a comeback for years, and a handful of factors finally pushed her to make it official: the chance to compete at the Olympics in Los Angeles, her longtime home, and a Code of Points that now suits her style better than in years past.

UCLA, she said, played a central role in making the comeback possible.

“It would’ve been a different journey, probably, if I had gone anywhere else.”

She also shared a revelation about age and competing elite that was a mic drop moment: “16 isn’t the deadline, which is something that I was always told.”

Other athletes’ comebacks in different sports didn’t directly inspire her decision, she said, but they did prove to her that returning was possible. In fact, Ohashi was trying to talk close friend Jade Carey into returning to elite – not the other way around.

She also called Simone Biles to let her know she was returning. Biles’ reaction? She said Ohashi was crazy.

What’s new

Ohashi is working on upgrades but kept most of the details under wraps.

“You might see some familiar things, and you might see some brand new things that I’ve never done… We’ll see how Classics is.”

Beam and floor are the priority for now, but she hasn’t ruled out a return to the all-around. Once the season wraps, she said she plans to buy a pair of grips and see what happens on vault and bars.

Physically, she said most of the gymnastics has come back quickly.

“My body remembers so easily.”

The mental side has been the bigger hurdle.

“I’m actually still terrified to do a back handspring.”

Ohashi in her own words

Ohashi described competing at the American Classic — her first meet back — as a great experience because of how small and intimate the meet was. She and Carey shared a lighthearted moment walking in together.

“This is so funny,” Ohashi told Carey.

“Nothing about this is funny,” Carey replied.

Looking ahead to her first U.S. Classic as a senior, and her bid to qualify for her first senior U.S. Championships, Ohashi didn’t hold back on the humor.

“I’m pretty much a senior citizen,” she laughed.

Throughout the call, Ohashi’s joy was impossible to miss. There were plenty of laughs, plenty of candor, and a clear sense that this comeback is one she is fully embracing.

Follow Gymnastics Now for on-site coverage of the U.S. Classic from July 17-18.