Hezly Rivera, the 18-year-old Olympic gold medalist, has won her second straight national title in US women’s gymnastics. Rivera rallied from fourth during the final day of competition, putting together four poised and professional routines to secure the top spot.

Rivera’s Road to Victory

Rivera began the day on bars, where she fought through a mini-stall near the end of her routine and gave her coach a confident shrug after a dismount that included a small step. The judges awarded her a solid score of 13.850, and her momentum continued to build as she made her way across the competition floor.

Charleigh Bullock, who turned 16 last month, finished third, while Reese Esponda, who trains at the Houston-area gym owned by Simone Biles’ family, came in fourth. Two-time Olympic gold medalist Jade Carey finished fifth in the meet, which doubled as a homecoming for the Phoenix native.

Original reporting: Alexandria, VA News – WTOP News — read the source article.