Hezly Rivera claims junior title at 2023 Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships, just weeks after rolling ankle
SAN JOSE, Calif. – It’s been an uphill battle for Hezly Rivera the past month, but on Sunday, inside the SAP Center, she did just enough to edge American and Core Hydration Classic champion Kieryn Finnell to win the junior women’s all-around title at the 2023 Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships.
“It wasn’t the best meet because I’ve been battling some injuries in the gym, so I had to stop [training],” Rivera said after the meet. “But the training that I had before I got injured, it helped me to prepare for this meet, especially mentally, because I know I can hit the routines.”
Pushing through to gold
The 2023 Winter Cup champion was dealing with back soreness pre-Classic and then rolled her ankle on her beam dismount at that meet, taking her out of training for two of the barely three weeks between meets. She relied heavily on muscle memory to win her first and last junior all-around title, earning a 104.750 two-day total and meeting or exceeding the 52 mark both days. Rivera will move to the senior ranks in 2024, just in time for the Olympic year.
“I definitely have a few upgrades planned for the senior season,” Rivera said of the transition. “I had some planned for this meet but got hurt.”
While she still had some mistakes Day 2, including a fall on bars and some cleanliness issues on floor, Rivera went from second behind Simone Rose after Day 1 to the top of the podium. She also won bars and beam.
The only other athlete to hit the 52 mark both days was Finnell. She missed first by 0.150.
Taking home bronze in the all-around was Izzy Stassi after Day 1 leader Rose fell on bars and floor. Stassi had a strong Day 2 and won the vault title.
Reese Esponda won floor with identical 13.050s both days.
For a full play-by-play of both days of competition, check out our live blog.
2023 U.S. Junior Women’s National Team at championships
- Hezly Rivera
- Kieryn Finnell
- Izzy Stassi
- Gabrielle Hardie
- Simone Rose
- Reese Esponda
