How ironic or iconic?! You can decide. The Paris Olympics will feature Simone Biles, the oldest American gymnast in 72 years. On the other hand, within the same squad, there’s Hezly Rivera, who started her gymnastics journey just 11 years ago—the same year Simone Biles won her first all-around World Artistic Gymnastics Championship title. This fact might stun every gymnastics follower out there, but to make it onto the Olympic team, Hezly Rivera had to accomplish something truly remarkable.

She had to move to Plano, which is a 3-hour and 23-minute flight away from her native place in New Jersey. But what’s the connection between Plano and Hezly’s selection for the Paris Olympics?

Everything about Hezly Rivera’s head coach, Valeri Liukin

Nastia Liukin, the 2008 Beijing Olympics all-around champion shared an emotional post on IG on June 30, celebrating Hezly Rivera’s victory in the US Olympic gymnastics trials. In the caption, she wrote, “never in my life have I been this proud (and emotional) watching from the side. Love you so much, yall freaking did it!!!! See you in Paris!!!!!!”The post featured her parents and coaches, Valeri Liukin and Anna, celebrating the happy moment with Hezly. Their coaching facility in Plano, WOGA, played a crucial role in preparing Hezly for the trials, where she competed against the likes of Simone Biles, Suni Lee, Jordan Chiles, and Jade Carey despite being considered an underdog. Throughout his gymnastics career, Valeri Liukin has emphasized two key factors: overcoming challenges and achieving significant victories.

In the 1988 Olympic Games, he proved those factors by winning two gold and two silver medals. Valeri further showcased his endurance in subsequent world championships, earning two golds and a bronze medal. Transitioning from his athletic career, his deep connection with gymnastics motivated him to pursue coaching roles.

Thus, the World Olympic Gymnastics Academy (WOGA) came into existence, and the rest, as they say, is history. Hezly Rivera’s family certainly acknowledges this, having moved from New Jersey to Plano to enroll Hezly in that facility. Simultaneously, the gymnast had her reasons. In one of her interviews, she revealed all.

“It’s amazing because I know I can definitely make it with all these people around me…I never would have thought I would be training with Nastia’s parents and especially with Gabby [Douglas]! It’s crazy because she gives me so many tips and such encouragement,” as she mentioned. Apart from Nastia Liukin and Gabby Douglas, the WOGA facility bears the footsteps of Vanessa Atler, Katelyn Ohashi, and Rebecca Bross as well. Therefore, at WOGA, Hezly has received the lessons to become a champion. But her mindset has always been consistent, as confirmed by her previous coach.

Rivera’s former coach lauded her for making it to the Paris Olympics

Before moving to Plano, Hezly Rivera began her gymnastics journey at the age of 5 at ENA Gymnastics in New Jersey. ENA Gymnastics, where Olivia Dunne, a senior at LSU Tigers, also trained, overlapped with Hezly Rivera’s time there. Despite their shared time at the facility, head coach Craig Zappa vividly recalls the young Hezly, who stood out for her mature work ethic.

Under Zappa’s tutelage, Hezly started to train 30 hours per week, managing her school time alongside. Soon the result followed as when she was 8 years of age, the Junior World Championship medalist displayed a dominant character on the mat. Remembering that past, Craig Zappa recently said, “But probably around 8, you started to see that this kid had something special that she could actually someday get there if all cards lined up. She not only had the talent, but the mental fortitude and drive to be able to attain it.” 

She continued these traits at WOGA, practicing six hours daily while maintaining her education. Eventually, this epitome of grit and endurance came to fruition when Hezly Rivera secured the women’s junior all-around title at the 2023 US Gymnastics Championships and later at the Winter Cup in a similar division. Hezly’s success clearly speaks volumes about her character while also highlighting the crucial role of coaches on such a journey.