Katelyn Ohashi Returns to Elite Gymnastics at 2026 U.S. Classic
Katelyn Ohashi, 29, announced her elite gymnastics comeback on June 24, 2026, after over seven years away. She competed at the American Classic in Champlin, Minnesota, winning bronze on beam but falling short of qualifying for U.S. Championships. She aims to qualify at the U.S. Classic in Hartford, Connecticut, on July 17-18, 2026, alongside Olympic medalist Jade Carey. Ohashi’s return reflects shifting age norms in women’s gymnastics as she targets the 2028 LA Olympics.
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Katelyn Ohashi Impresses At U.S. Classic, Narrowly Misses Qualifying Score
Katelyn Ohashi, a 29-year-old gymnast making a surprise comeback after a 13-year hiatus, competed at the U.S. Classic in Hartford on July 18, 2026. She performed on balance beam and floor exercise, scoring 13.200 on each for a total of 26.400. This fell just four-tenths of a point short of the 26.800 needed to automatically qualify for the U.S. Championships in Phoenix. Despite narrowly missing her immediate goal, Ohashi expressed pride and joy in her performance, which featured improved difficulty and trademark showmanship. The Hartford crowd gave her some of the loudest cheers of the night. Ohashi and her team may petition for a spot at the U.S. Championships, but she remains focused on her long-term goal of competing at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
Forbes - BusinessReese Esponda Wins U.S. Classic Over Olympic Champion Jade Carey
Reese Esponda, a 17-year-old gymnast, won the U.S. Classic in Hartford, Connecticut, on July 18, 2026, with a career-best all-around score of 54.900, defeating Olympic champion Jade Carey (54.050) by nearly a full point. Esponda's victory was largely driven by her meet-best floor routine (13.950). Zoe Molomo took bronze (53.900). World champion Skye Blakely won both uneven bars and balance beam. Katelyn Ohashi, a former UCLA and elite star, impressed in her senior elite debut at the event, scoring 13.200 on both beam and floor, though she fell short of qualifying for the U.S. Championships. The competition serves as a key step toward the 2026 U.S. Gymnastics Championships in Phoenix (August 7-9) and the World Championships in Rotterdam.
Forbes - BusinessTop Gymnasts To Watch At The 2026 U.S. Classic
The 2026 U.S. Classic, held July 17-18 in Hartford, Connecticut, serves as a key qualifier for the U.S. Championships. Forbes highlights ten athletes to watch, including Olympic gold medalist Jade Carey making a comeback after nearly two years off, and former UCLA star Katelyn Ohashi returning to elite gymnastics after 13 years. Other notable competitors include five-time World medalist Leanne Wong, two-time World team champion Skye Blakely, and rising star Simone Rose. The event is particularly significant as the 2028 LA Olympics approach, with several athletes using the Classic to build momentum toward national championships and potential Olympic bids.
Forbes - BusinessHow To Watch Katelyn Ohashi, Jade Carey At 2026 U.S. Classic
The 2026 U.S. Classic gymnastics competition, held July 17-18 in Hartford, Connecticut, features highly anticipated comebacks from three-time Olympic medalist Jade Carey and former UCLA star Katelyn Ohashi. The event serves as the final qualifying opportunity for elite gymnasts aiming for the U.S. Championships and World Championships. Carey returns to elite competition for the first time since the Paris Olympics, while Ohashi, 29, aims to qualify for her first senior U.S. Championships after a June comeback debut. The senior elite session airs Saturday at 7 p.m. ET on NBC Sports Network and Peacock, with a re-air Sunday on NBC. Junior and Hopes competitions stream on USA Gymnastics YouTube and FlipNow.tv respectively.
Forbes - BusinessKatelyn Ohashi Gives Training Update Ahead Of 2026 U.S. Classic
Katelyn Ohashi, 29, is continuing her elite gymnastics comeback at the 2026 U.S. Classic in Hartford, Conn., after a 13-year hiatus. She competed on floor and beam at the American Classic in June, scoring 13.150 on beam and finishing third. To qualify for the U.S. Championships, she needs a combined 26.800 points across two events, but fell short at the American Classic with 24.650. Ohashi plans to upgrade her floor routine and stick to beam and floor for now, with bars planned for 2027. She emphasizes injury prevention, using physical therapy and limited reps. Ohashi thrives in large arenas and is excited for the U.S. Classic, which runs July 17-18 and will be broadcast on NBC Sports Network and Peacock. Her friend Jade Carey also competed at the American Classic.
Forbes - BusinessKatelyn Ohashi Dazzles in First Elite Gymnastics Meet Since 2013
Katelyn Ohashi, 29, made a stunning return to elite gymnastics at the American Classic in Champlin, Minnesota, winning bronze on balance beam with a 13.150 score. The former UCLA star and 2011 U.S. Junior National Champion competed on beam and floor, scoring 24.650 total, but fell short of the 26.800 needed to qualify for the U.S. Championships. She intends to try again at the U.S. Classic in July. Ohashi, who retired in 2019 after a storied NCAA career, had not competed in elite gymnastics since 2013 due to injuries. Her comeback follows her announcement days earlier and is marked by a cautious, step-by-step approach as she trains on her own terms.
Forbes - BusinessKatelyn Ohashi Announces Elite Gymnastics Comeback with Potential LA 2028 Olympics Run
Katelyn Ohashi, the viral gymnastics sensation and former elite prodigy, announced her return to competitive gymnastics on June 24, 2026, after more than seven years away from competition and over 13 years since her last elite routine. The 29-year-old former UCLA star, who famously defeated Simone Biles at the 2013 American Cup, aims to qualify for the U.S. National Championships and potentially compete at the 2026 World Championships in Rotterdam. Ohashi's comeback is seen as part of a broader shift in women's gymnastics, where older athletes like Simone Biles (27 at the 2024 Olympics) have redefined age norms. She is training at Pacific Reign Gymnastics in Washington, and has received support from USA Gymnastics and fellow gymnast Jade Carey. Ohashi's legacy includes speaking out against toxic coaching environments and achieving viral fame with perfect-ten floor routines.
Forbes - Business