JAKARTA, INDONESIA – OCTOBER 21: Leanne Wong of United States of America competes on the floor during the Women’s qualification on day three of the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships at Indonesia Arena on October 21, 2025 in Jakarta, Indonesia. (Photo by Tom Weller/Getty Images)
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The four-person U.S. women’s contingent found itself in unfamiliar territory at the 2025 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Jakarta, Indonesia. Competing in an individual-only format, the athletes took to the floor in Monday’s qualification round, each looking to earn a spot in the all-around and apparatus finals.
The contingent posted mixed results, underscoring the challenges of a rebuilding year as the program transitions away from its Olympic veterans.
Expectations for the U.S. women are always high heading into a world championship, but the team’s veterans faced a tough opening night in Jakarta, with a series of errors leading to the premature endings of several top medal chances.
Heading into the event, the U.S. women’s best shots at gold would be on balance beam with two-time World team champion Skye Blakely and on vault with 2025 U.S. vault champion Leanne Wong. 2024 Olympic alternate Joscelyn Roberson was also expected to challenge for a medal of any color on the floor.
However, the three women looked a bit shaky in Jakarta late Monday night.
“It was rough,” said Chellsie Memmel, USA Gymnastics’ Technical Lead for the women’s program. “There were some very good pieces, but then there was rough. I didn’t feel like there was an attack of their events and their skills overall. There were still good things, but I have work to do,” she told Olympics.com.
World Championship Veterans Struggle
All in all, the veterans showed some inconsistencies on Monday. While Blakely started strong with a stellar bars routine (good for seventh place and an event final berth), she was tentative on beam, missing connections and going overtime for a low 13.200.
Blakely has struggled with consistency on beam over the years, so the former world beam finalist wasn’t devastated by her routine here. “I fought for what I could,” she said following the meet. “But obviously I could have done better.”
Four-time world medalist Leanne Wong also started strong with a hit routine on bars (13.900), but downgraded her beam routine and weathered a significant error on vault. As one of the few athletes attempting the difficult “Cheng” vault, Wong was widely considered a top contender for gold on the event.
However, the former vault world finalist crashed her first vault, the easier of the two. Falling straight to her back, Wong posted just an 11.733. Though she scored a massive 14.400 for her Cheng – her second vault – the discouraging first score would keep her out of event finals.
Brought to Indonesia for her prowess on vault and floor, 2023 World team champion Joscelyn Roberson has struggled to find her rhythm in Jakarta. “Everything that could have gone wrong this week has,” Roberson told the media after the event, alluding to issues “behind the scenes.”
The 19-year-old had been vocal about her struggles in Jakarta, sharing that the controversial Taishan equipment has required a “learning curve.” Unfortunately, Roberson struggled to stick her landings on floor, and while her difficulty was high, a 6.900 execution score reflected major form breaks.
Despite the low floor score and her issues with the vaulting equipment, Roberson rallied on vault to qualify in the eighth and final spot, sticking her second vault to the excitement of coach Chris Brooks.
Dulcy Caylor Impresses in World Debut
While the three veterans dealt with disappointment on their select events, the team’s only rookie, Dulcy Caylor, dazzled fans and judges on night one. Though Caylor opened her meet with a fall on uneven bars, the 17-year-old regained composure to deliver clean, elegant routines on the remaining three events.
Displaying poise beyond her years, Caylor successfully qualified for the most event finals of any American gymnast (balance beam, floor, and all-around), marking an impressive result for Team USA’s underdog.
Just a month ago, Caylor was not on many experts’ radar for the world team. However, the Texas native became a breakout star, winning the World Team Selection Event over Wong and Roberson. With the Russians’ return to dominance and the rise of new international challengers, Caylor might be Team USA’s best hope for a medal.
Next Up For Team USA
Despite the challenges in qualifications, all four athletes persevered and successfully advanced to individual event finals.
Caylor (5th) and Wong (9th) qualified in the top 24 for the women’s all-around finals, often the most anticipated event in the women’s competition. Wong is a former World all-around silver medalist and could still contend with a clean vault. Caylor also qualified for the balance beam and floor exercise finals.
Blakely will compete in her first world uneven bar final, and Roberson will get another chance to master the Taishan equipment on vault. Both athletes are seeking their first individual world medals.
Fans can watch Team USA aim for the podium this week:
Thursday, Oct. 23: Women’s All-Around Finals (Dulcy Caylor, Leanne Wong)
Friday, Oct. 24: Event Finals Day One (Joscelyn Roberson – VT, Skye Blakely – UB)
Saturday, Oct. 25: Event Finals Day Two (Dulcy Caylor – BB, FX)
All event finals will be broadcast live by Eurovision Sport (account required) and on Peacock (NBC). Detailed streaming and scheduling information can be found below.
