Home/Article

The gymnastics realm of the USA is on a roll. It started with the triumph of Simone Biles and her company in the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Antwerp. It was taken forward by Jordan Chiles and others in the Pan American Games in Chile, which was followed by accolades in the Swiss Cup by Jade Carey and Yul Moldauer. Stars shone brightly once again as the American team put up a fabulous display at the FIG World Trampoline Championships in Birmingham, England. As the event draws its curtains, the USA finishes at the top of the medal table with ten medals, a first since 1996.

The team went all out as they bagged medals from all directions. Both men’s and women’s teams fought shoulder-in-shoulder to bring glory to the USA. They not only dazzled as a team but also sought individual feats, creating some moments for the records book on the way.

Jessica Stevens builds on her Pan Am success

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Gymnast Jessica St?v?ns had an absolutely smashing Pan Am campaign. She bagged two golds in Chile in Synchronized and Individual trampoline events. Her performance fetched her the tickets for next year’s big game in Paris. Right after the end of the Pan-Ams, Stevens appeared to compete in Birmingham without any break. However, such back-to-back competitions did not seem to affect Jessica’s performance.

READ MORE: Missing Out on World Gymnastics Championships, USA?s Longest Consecutive Team Member Pens an Emotional Note Ahead of Pan American Games

On November 12. Jessica bagged the bronze in the women’s individual trampoline event. She secured the medal with a total score of 55.740. Did somebody ask about fatigue? Jessica, discarding that, said to Olympics.com, “This is why I do it, for moments like these.” Interestingly, the win did not mean not only the medal. It also broke a jinx of 49 years for the USA. The last time the country featured on the podium of this particular event was way back in 1974.

An absolutely elated Jessica said after the win, “Did you see that? It’s crazy. I am absolutely ecstatic. I just wanted to go out there and do my best and I couldn’t be happier with that result.” There were more from the women’s side. The duo of Nicole Ahsinger and Sarah Webster brought gold in the women?s synchro event, while Aliah Raga and Gracie Harder brought silver and bronze respectively, in double mini. While the women did their bit to uphold the USA, the men’s event saw a champion defending his title while adding up to the medal tally.

Ruben Padilla does it again

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

The US baton in the Birmingham Trampoline World was carried forward by 22-year-old Ruben Padilla. Padilla came to Birmingham with expectations he gave birth in Sofia, Bulgaria, last year. He had bagged gold in the double mini event there. And this time also did not disappoint. With a score of 30.600, he finished at the top of the podium. Prior to this personal triumph, it was time for Padilla to play his role for his team, breaking another jinx for the USA.

Also read: USA?s Ruben Padilla Leads the Pack as Top Qualifier in Men?s Double Mini Trampoline at Trampoline Worlds in Birmingham

Teaming up with Dylan Kline, Simone Smith, and Tomas Minc, Padilla brought gold in the Double Mini team event. The USA saw a medal in this event after a decade. Last time they did it, was in 2013 worlds, when Alex Renkert, Ryan Roberts, Austin White, and Austin Nacey brought the golden glory. Congratulating his teammates, a visibly elated Padilla posted on Instagram, “WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS DMT TEAM GOLD MEDALISTS!!! SO proud of this team! Finally it has happened! The boys really pulled through and I could not be happier!!! @simonn_smithh @tomasminc @flippindylan.?

ADVERTISEMENT

Article continues below this ad

Apart from this, by teaming up with Aliaksei Shostak, Padilla brought silver in Men?s synchro. Meanwhile, Kaden Brown also added to the medal tally securing silver in tumbling. Riding through all these performances of its gymnasts, Team USA secured its first all-around gold in the event, which kind of brought things to a full circle. The performance undoubtedly gives the USA the oxygen they need for the upcoming Paris Olympics. Expectations have started soaring as they have raised the bar already!

Watch this story:?Simone Biles? Fanbase Welcomes Their Queen With Open Arms After Gymnast Faces Backlash for Long Hiatus