Hezly Rivera has the spotlight all to herself.
A year after her unexpected inclusion on the Paris Olympic team, Rivera served notice that she’s going to be a gymnast to watch in the leadup to the Los Angeles Games. The 17-year-old won her first title at the U.S. gymnastics championships on Sunday night, establishing herself as a favorite for the all-around at the world championships this fall.
“It means the world to me,” Rivera said. “I’ve worked so hard for this. It was not easy coming back after the Olympics.”
The world championships are Oct. 19-25 in Jakarta, Indonesia. The women's team will be announced later, while national champion Asher Hong; Paris Olympian Brody Malone; Brandon Dang; Patrick Hoopes; Kameron Nelson and Donnell Whittenburg made the men's team.
Then 16, Rivera was a longshot to make the Paris team. But injuries to world medalists Shilese Jones and Skye Blakely at the Olympic trials gave Rivera an opportunity, and she grabbed it.
