It seems Jordan Chiles’ music is yet to turn on and when it does, the whole arena will feel it. UCLA’s NCAA season opener might not have been the grand debut on the 4th of January, that fans were hoping for. But let’s not forget who’s in their lineup. Jordan Chiles is back, and while the team hasn’t found its rhythm just yet, you can sense it when Chiles hits her stride. Everything changes. The Bruins may have finished third behind California and Oregon State at the American Gold Women’s Collegiate Gymnastics Classic, but with Chiles leading the way, this is just the warm-up act.

The spotlight on Chiles’ return to NCAA gymnastics was enormous. Chiles proved why she’s the star everyone’s watching. Her near-perfect scores on multiple events were jaw-dropping, but gymnastics is a team sport, and UCLA struggled to pull it all together. A few key mistakes, including falls from veterans like Chae Campbell and Emma Malabuyo on bars, cost the Bruins valuable points. Even on beam, a traditionally strong event for UCLA, uncharacteristic wobbles from Campbell and Katelyn Rosen dragged the scores down. While standouts like Emily Lee (9.850) and Brooklyn Moors (9.825) shone on the beam, the overall total wasn’t enough to keep pace with their competitors.

Still, Chiles isn’t letting the slow start dampen her energy. “This meet was already kind of in a million different pieces,” she said, reflecting on podium issues and other chaos. “I’m just very proud of this team being able to come together and do what we did.” Vault was another mixed bag. Chiles debuted a new 10.0 start value vault, earning the Bruins’ top score of 9.900 and claiming the event title. Freshman Macy McGowan impressed with a 9.800, while Moors and freshman Mika Webster-Longin struggled to hit their marks. Despite standout performances, the inconsistency across the lineup left the team playing catch-up all night. But make no mistake: Chiles has sent out a warning!

On January 5, a user on X, @sunisezhova, shared a post featuring Jordan Chiles nailing her vault. Even one fan commented on it saying, “Ntm as a Suni fan.” Seeing all this, Jordan couldn’t help but retweet it with the cheeky caption, “So what was the point of this…? The entertainment lol.” And with this she fired back at trolls and let’s be real, entertainment is exactly what she brought. Chiles crushed it with a team-high 9.900 on vault, proving why she’s the heart of UCLA gymnastics. USA Gymnastics even praised Chiles, “Jo with the Vault title in her first meet back with @uclagymnastics!” Sure, the Bruins had a rough start to the season, but this team isn’t done yet.

Their next chance to bounce back? January 11 at the Sprouts Farmers Market Collegiate Quad, where they’ll face some big names like Kentucky, Arkansas, and Ohio State. If they tighten up their routines and keep building on performances like Chiles’, you know they’ll turn things around. Oh, and while all this is happening, Chiles is also out there fighting for her Olympic bronze medal!

Was Jordan Chiles robbed of her medal? The controversy

The controversy surrounding Jordan Chiles and her Olympic bronze medal in floor exercise has turned into one of the most contentious moments in recent gymnastics history. It all started when Romania’s Ana Barbosu was initially ranked above Chiles in the event. After a U.S. coach requested a score review, the judges adjusted Chiles’ score, moving her into third place. This decision not only sparked a backlash from Romanian fans but also created history, resulting in the first all-Black podium in Olympic gymnastics: Chiles joined Simone Biles and Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade.

However, just days later, the Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) overturned the decision, claiming the review request was submitted too late. On the final day of the Olympics, CAS stripped Chiles of her medal, dropping her to fifth, and the International Olympic Committee (IOC) ordered her to return the bronze the very next day. Chiles, however, isn’t backing down. Supported by Team USA, she has refused to return the medal and is fighting the CAS ruling in the Swiss Federal Supreme Court. Her lawyers argue that video evidence shows the inquiry was submitted on time and have accused the CAS panel’s president of a conflict of interest due to his ties to Romania.

As the legal battle continues, the controversy has drawn international attention, with calls for reform in judging and arbitration processes to ensure fairness for all athletes. With all the fire and passion she brings, we’re rooting for Chiles to get her Olympic bronze back and prove herself even more at the NCAA championships. She’s got that rhythm, that flow, and she’s the hero who’s ready to shine once again!