Skye Blakely captured the all-around gold medal at the 2026 world gymnastics championships in Rotterdam, posting a total of 55.733 to win by more than half a point. The 21-year-old American overcame heartbreak, injury, and doubt, including two missed Olympic opportunities after an elbow injury in 2021 and a torn Achilles at 2024 trials. After taking two years off from elite all-around competition, Blakely returned stronger, saying she competed "for the girl in 2021 and the girl in 2024 who couldn't do everything." She led after vault and bars, then held her 55.733 total with a flawless beam routine and floor exercise set to Jay-Z's "Show Me What You Got." Blakely's victory marked the ninth American woman to win the sport's biggest annual title.
Russia's Liudmila Roshchina took silver and China's Ke Qinqin bronze. Algeria's Kaylia Nemour finished fourth, falling short of becoming the first African all-around champion.
Source: ESPN General · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing