University of Missouri’s Helen Hu became one of the best gymnasts in the history of the Tigers. A specialist on the balance beam and uneven bars, one of Hu’s career highlights included scoring 9.900 or above 36 times in just two shows. However, these performances didn’t just put Hu in the Missouri Tigers record books but also inside the hearts of Tigers’ fans. Hence, Hu’s retirement was a big blow to the Missouri gymnastics fandom.

While the 23-year-old dazzled fans for four years, many lamented that she still had a year of eligibility left. Yet after a year of exploring Asia and Europe, the NCAA gymnast has decided to cash in her fifth and final year of eligibility. “When weighing my options, I couldn’t shake the feeling that I have more to give,” said Hu. On Monday, Tiger’s coach Shannon Welker dropped the surprise news.

To say the Missouri Tigers fans were excited to learn the news would be an understatement. “This is comparable to if Beyoncé came back to Destiny’s Child,” one fan commented on X, comparing Hu’s return to the Tigers with Queen Bey’s Jan 2024 reunion with her first act, Destiny’s Child. And while Beyoncé reunited with Kelly Rowland and Michelle Williams for a single photograph, Hu is coming for an entire season.

Coach Welker was equally delighted to usher Helen Hu back into the fold. “We are so honored to welcome back Helen as a member of our program,” the gymnastics coach said. Besides highlighting the two-time NCAA All-American’s stellar career, she praised her as a “skilled leader” and a dedicated athlete. This brings us to Hu’s exception beam and bar performances.

While the gymnast is an all-rounder, she excelled on the balance beam. According to the official Missouri Tigers website, Helen Hu has earned 9.975 on the balance beam three times. The 23-year-old has also reached a career-high of 9.950 on the uneven bars twice. Now, as she prepares to return to competitive gymnastics, fans can wait for Hu to add to her legacy.

Gymnastics fans can’t wait to see Helen Hu back in action

“Welcome back, Helen! I can’t even express how excited I am!!” a fan wrote on X. And why wouldn’t they be? Hu is presently tied to second place for beams and third place for bars on the Tigers’ record books. With the fifth year on the cards, it is no surprise the fan is expecting the three-time SEC gymnast of the year to take the top spot. However, Hu’s return also gave the fans more to be excited about.

During Helen Hu’s fourth year, the gymnasts didn’t just reach personal career highs but also led the team to the NCAA semi-finals. “Get in Tiger fans, Hu is beaming Mizzou back to Nationals!!!!” commented the netizen. Now the fan believes she may take the Tigers to the finals. This year, in the All-American’s absence, the Missouri Tigers struggled in the regional semi-finals.

So it’s no surprise the one individual is “Counting down the days till I get to see her compete again!!!” Meanwhile, one fan even took as far as to claim that Hu’s return is the best thing that’s happened to her. “This is the greatest day of my life now,” commented the fan. What’s more interesting is that the X-user is self-proclaimed a “Minnesota gymnastics fan.” on social media.

However, fans aren’t the only ones excited to see the Tiger return. Olympic silver medalist-turned-announcer Kathy Johnson also expressed her excitement at Hu’s return. “Wow, what a wonderful surprise and reason to celebrate!” the commentator posted. With the hype train at full speed, it seems the 2025 NCAA season can’t arrive fast enough for the Missouri Tigers.