Stepping Up After Gruesome Injury, USA?s Leanne Wong Faces Heartbreaking Upset at World Artistic Gymnastics Championships?2023

The US Women’s Gymnastics Team has once again climbed the podium to bear the pride at the 2023 World Gymnastics Championship. The journey for the team started back at the 2022 Worlds when the berth qualified for 2023 as well as the 2024 Paris Olympics. Maintaining a girth since then, the team made their way to the top on the 6th of October as the event hosted the Women’s Team Finals.

However, the path wasn’t a smooth one for the team. After securing a team total of 171.395 at the qualifiers, the gymnasts experienced a few hiccups. Starting the circumstances, Jocelyn Roberson succumbed to an injured leg during the pre-event practice which brought Leanne Wong in as a replacement. Though the 20-year-old managed to put on performances and stride with grace, she experienced a stumble along the way.

Leanne maintains her stride at the 2023 World Gymnastics

Entering the venue at Antwerp, Belgium, the US women’s gymnastics team encountered an unlikely event ahead of the start. Roberson who was scheduled to perform Floor Exercise and Balance Beam succumbed to a fall that left her leg injured, ruling her out from the day’s performance.

Calling in as her replacement, Leanne Wong, who has previous experience at the 2022 Worlds, stepped in to cover the 17-year-old. Making her way through the apparatus gracefully, it was the Balance Beam the 20-year-old floundered upon.

According to the spectators, Leanne missed her foot performing an ariel which resulted in straddling the beam slipping off. According to the reports, the gymnast also apparently suffered a bruise on her leg.

While fans continued to shower their support, Wong persisted in forgoing the accident and putting up a graceful performance. Her showcase on the beams got her a score of 11.700.

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Whilst the gymnast recovers from the incident, the further disappointment of not competing at the events shadows Wong ahead.

Wong’s Journey to 2023 Worlds

Leanne Wong’s presence at Worlds wasn’t the first in her career. The 20-year-old has previously made her debut at the 2021 Worlds and headed on to the 2022 Liverpool. During her debut, Leanne won an all-around silver and a floor exercise bronze.

Boosting her stand from there, Wong won gold at the team event in 2022 and acted as an alternative for the 2020 Olympic team. Wong then continuing her momentum headed to the 2023 U.S. Women’s World Team Selection Event.

The 20-year-old competing against the big names at the event, narrowly placed fifth with 54.850; 0.05 points behind Jocelyn and 0.5 points ahead of Kaliya Lincoln. However, the journey further wasn’t a fruitful one.

In post qualifier round, Wong forwent a chance to continue her position further at the individual events; though she succeeded in earning a team gold. As the team proceeds further, Wong might grab a chance to qualify for the Olympics. Persisting with her efforts going ahead, Leanne sure holds a path admired.

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