Hezly Rivera, a 17-year-old Olympic gold medalist, clinched victory at the U.S. gymnastics championships in New Orleans with a total score of 112.000, narrowly defeating Leanne Wong by 0.8 points.

Rivera's impressive performance included a score of 55.600, positioning her as a strong contender for her first national title.

If Rivera wins, she would become the youngest U.S. all-around champion since 2017 and the sixth American woman to secure both Olympic gold and a national all-around title since 2000.

Joscelyn Roberson, who finished third, faced challenges due to an ankle injury but demonstrated resilience, emphasizing her new leadership role among younger gymnasts.

Leanne Wong, a four-time world championship medalist and pre-med student, finished second and is set to compete at the world championships in Jakarta, Indonesia, in October.

Rivera's victory secures her a spot in the world championship selection camp next month, alongside Wong and Roberson, all of whom are expected to lead the U.S. team.

The competition highlighted a shift in dynamics, with younger athletes like Rivera and Roberson stepping into leadership roles as they prepare for the upcoming world championships.

Rivera attributed her success to focusing on her training and letting go of pressure, which allowed her to perform well during the competition.

She achieved the highest score on balance beam with 14.350 and the second-highest on floor exercise with 14.000, solidifying her victory.

Rivera's total score of 112.000 reflects her improved performance after a disappointing finish at the U.S. Classic just weeks prior.

Notably, many prominent gymnasts from the previous Olympics, such as Simone Biles and Sunisa Lee, were absent from this year's competition, creating opportunities for new contenders.

Rivera is the first female gymnast to win both junior and senior all-around titles since Jordyn Wieber, showcasing her remarkable talent and potential.