As the sixth day of the 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championship kick-started, Simone Biles led the US six-member roster for the grand entry. Among them, the youngest team member, the 17-year-old Texarkana native, faced the hardest blow. Joscelyn Roberson, the newest WCC gymnast, who once included Biles in her school project, witnessed her dreams crashing. Clocking an all-over 171.395, the US women topped the scoreboard in the qualifiers.

Moreover, not just the GOAT, Shilese Jones was atop her A-game as well, trailing behind the 26-year-old Olympian. The adrenaline rush clearly reflected in their faces as they got a banging introduction before the team’s final routine started. The tide turned when Roberson, the floor and vault specialist, missed her World Champs debut by just a fraction.

Gymnastics vault starlet forced to sit out

It is rather unfortunate to say that Roberson, the most exhilarating debutante, faced an unanticipated injury while warming up. Gymnastics Now took to their ‘X handle to post the disheartening update of Roberson’s injury. They wrote, “Joscelyn Roberson (USA) is injured on VT in warm-ups. She is being carried off.”

While warming up, Joscelyn Roberson came up short on her Cheng. Visibly in pain, she stood there bent over reaching for her ankles. She was carried into the medical section by coach Laurant Landi, head coach to Simone Biles. She was seen coming out on crutches. The young gymnast when then replaced by the 2021 World all-around silver medallist Leanne Wong who prior to this was scheduled to compete on the balance beam.

Despite not being able to contribute to the gym after her injury, Roberson was happy for her teammates and also for M?lanie de Jesus dos Santos of France. She said in a post-match interview according to Inside Gymnastics ?Joscelyn said she is great. She was feeling all of the emotions after Simone?s floor routine. Finding out Melanie won a bronze with her team was an incredible moment for WCC. ?I was crying so many happy tears for all of us!??

The young prodigy who had made it to the USA women’s team could not believe it and was sharing and expressing her happiness all around social media after the selection camp. However, as fate had it so Roberson’s ecstasy turned into agony at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championship 2023 on day 6.

Watch this story: ?Beat You?: Gymnastics? Emerging Sensation Challenges Simone Biles for the Lead.

Joscelyn’s ecstasy ahead of her debut

Jocelyn Roberson placed fourth with a score of 54.900 in the U.S. Women’s World Artistic Gymnastics Championships selection camp and grabbed a position on the national squad. However, she was completely surprised by her unexpected success and couldn’t stop rejoicing. Ashley, her mother, gets all the praise, though. She relocated to Spring, Texas due to her career commitments, only for Roberson to get accepted at the World Champions Centre. Therefore, her career in artistic gymnastics hit a turning point right at that moment.

FIG took to their ‘X’ handle to post a candid post-event moment with the debutant. She said, ?I have been dreaming about this since I was a little three years old. And I keep telling Simone it feels like I?m not here. It doesn?t feel real yet. Now that I?ve seen the podium, the competition, and everything, I feel like it?s really sinking in.??

The heartbreaking reality saddened Roberson-verse deeply. Although her recovery is underway, her medical tests will assert her stability. The big event will draw its curtains on October 8.

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