2026 U.S. Championships Preview

2026 U.S. Championships Preview

It's elite national championships week. Let's break it down. Join Club Gym Nerd [https://gymcastic.com/club/] for the ad-free extended episode, live Q&A podcasts all week and complete members-only archive. GET IN-PERSON OR VIRTUAL U.S. CHAMPIONSHIPS LIVE-SHOW TICKETS [https://gymcastic.com/gymcastic-live-at-the-2026-u-s-championships/] HOW TO FOLLOW U.S. CHAMPIONSHIPS Times are Phoenix local time/Pacific. Podcast times are estimates. WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5 — PODIUM TRAINING Watch on FlipNow.TV [https://flipnow.usagym.org/]; outside the U.S. on USAG YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/usagymnastics]. 9:00–11:00 a.m. — Junior Men 11:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m. — Senior Men 2:30–5:00 p.m. — Junior Women 5:00–7:30 p.m. — Senior Women PODCAST ~8:30 p.m. — Senior Women's Podium Training Report THURSDAY, AUGUST 6 — MEN'S DAY ONE 1:00 p.m. — Junior Men on USAG YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/usagymnastics] 7:00 p.m. — Senior Men on Peacock /NBC; outside the U.S. on USAG YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/usagymnastics] FRIDAY, AUGUST 7 — WOMEN'S DAY ONE Noon — Junior Women on USAG YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/usagymnastics] 7:00 p.m. — Senior Women on Peacock/NBC ; outside the U.S. on USAG YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/usagymnastics] PODCAST ~10:00 p.m. — Senior Women's Day One Meet Report SATURDAY, AUGUST 8 — MEN'S DAY TWO 10:30 a.m. — Junior Men on USAG YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/usagymnastics] 4:30 p.m. — Senior Men on Peacock/NBC ; outside the U.S. on USAG YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/usagymnastics] PODCAST ~8:00 p.m. — Senior Men's Final Meet Report SUNDAY, AUGUST 9 — WOMEN'S DAY TWO 10:00 a.m. — Junior Women on USAG YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/usagymnastics] 3:00 p.m. — Senior Women on Peacock / NBC; outside the U.S. on USAG YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/usagymnastics] LIVE SHOW ~6:00 p.m. — get tickets now GymCastic Live: Senior Women's Final [https://gymcastic.com/gymcastic-live-at-the-2026-u-s-championships/] PLAY THE FANTASY GAME Build your U.S. Championships team at GymCastic Fantasy League [https://gymcastic.com/2026-u-s-championships-fantasy-challenge]. Use the Elite Score Explorer [https://gymcastic.com/elite-scores/] to compare gymnasts and choose your lineup. SUPPORT OUR WORK * Club Gym Nerd [https://gymcastic.com/club/]: Ad-free podcasts, weekly live Q&A episodes, bonus content, complete archive, games, scoring tools, VIP forum and live-show discounts * Shop GymCastic [https://store.gymcastic.com/] * Limited Time Offer – Make healthy eating simple. Get Huel today with my exclusive offer of 15% OFF online with our code GYMCASTIC at huel.com/GYMCASTIC. New Customers Only. Thank you to Huel for partnering and supporting our show! TOOLS, GAMES AND RESOURCES * LA 2028 Roster Lab [https://gymcastic.com/2028-roster-lab/] * Elite Score Explorer [https://gymcastic.com/elite-scores/] * International Gymnastics Calendar [https://gymcastic.com/gymnastics-calendar/] * GymCastic Games [https://gymcastic.com/games/] * GymCastic Newsletters [https://gymcastic.com/gymcastic-newsletters/] * The Balance Beam Situation [https://balancebeamsituation.com/] * Gymnastics History [https://www.gymnastics-history.com/] * Resistance Resources [https://gymcastic.com/resistance-resources/] Cover art and photographs © GymCastic / Steve Cooper. All rights reserved.

2026 U.S. Championships Podium Training Report

Let's dissect every moment from podium training at the 2026 U.S. Championships! This is our live post-training Q&A show. Here's how to ask questions live [https://gymcastic.com/community/club-member-area-club-member-area-member-far/#post-89]. Can't make it live? Add Club bonus episodes to your favorite podcast player (instructions here [https://gymcastic.com/community/postid/89/]). Join Club Gym Nerd [https://gymcastic.com/club/] for the full, ad-free extended episode, live Q&A and complete members-only archive. GYMCASTIC LIVE AT U.S. CHAMPIONSHIPS GET IN-PERSON OR VIRTUAL LIVE-SHOW TICKETS [https://gymcastic.com/gymcastic-live-at-the-2026-u-s-championships/] WHEN: Sunday, August 9 after the Senior Women's Final podium ceremony at approximately 6:00 p.m. WHERE: Stream it online or join us in person at the Residence Inn by Marriott Phoenix Downtown, directly across the street from the arena. WHAT: It's the post-meet debrief -enjoy a cash bar/snacks and games while Jessica and Spencer will discuss the meet immediately after it happens, and you never know who will appear at a GymCastic live show. * Doors open at 5:30 p.m, show at approximately 6:00 p.m. In-person and virtual tickets are available. A limited-time replay will be available to virtual ticket holders.GET IN-PERSON OR VIRTUAL U.S. CHAMPIONSHIPS LIVE-SHOW TICKETS [https://gymcastic.com/gymcastic-live-at-the-2026-u-s-championships/] HOW TO FOLLOW U.S. CHAMPIONSHIPS WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5 — PODIUM TRAINING Watch on FlipNow.TV [https://flipnow.usagym.org/]; outside the U.S. on USAG YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/usagymnastics]. 9:00–11:00 a.m. — Junior Men 11:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m. — Senior Men 2:30–5:00 p.m. — Junior Women 5:00–7:30 p.m. — Senior Women PODCAST ~8:30 p.m. — Senior Women's Podium Training Report THURSDAY, AUGUST 6 — MEN'S DAY ONE 1:00 p.m. — Junior Men on USAG YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/usagymnastics] 7:00 p.m. — Senior Men on Peacock /NBC; outside the U.S. on USAG YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/usagymnastics] FRIDAY, AUGUST 7 — WOMEN'S DAY ONE Noon — Junior Women on USAG YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/usagymnastics] 7:00 p.m. — Senior Women on Peacock/NBC ; outside the U.S. on USAG YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/usagymnastics] PODCAST ~10:00 p.m. — Senior Women's Day One Meet Report SATURDAY, AUGUST 8 — MEN'S DAY TWO 10:30 a.m. — Junior Men on USAG YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/usagymnastics] 4:30 p.m. — Senior Men on Peacock/NBC ; outside the U.S. on USAG YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/usagymnastics] PODCAST ~8:00 p.m. — Senior Men's Final Meet Report SUNDAY, AUGUST 9 — WOMEN'S DAY TWO 10:00 a.m. — Junior Women on USAG YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/usagymnastics] 3:00 p.m. — Senior Women on Peacock / NBC; outside the U.S. on USAG YouTube [https://www.youtube.com/usagymnastics] LIVE SHOW ~6:00 p.m. — get tickets now GymCastic Live: Senior Women's Final [https://gymcastic.com/gymcastic-live-at-the-2026-u-s-championships/] Build your U.S. Championships team at GymCastic Fantasy League [https://gymcastic.com/2026-u-s-championships-fantasy-challenge]. SUPPORT OUR WORK * Club Gym Nerd [https://gymcastic.com/club/]: Ad-free podcasts, weekly live Q&A episodes, bonus content, complete archive, games, scoring tools, VIP forum and live-show discounts * Shop GymCastic [https://store.gymcastic.com/] TOOLS, GAMES AND RESOURCES * LA 2028 Roster Lab [https://gymcastic.com/2028-roster-lab/] * Elite Score Explorer [https://gymcastic.com/elite-scores/] * International Gymnastics Calendar [https://gymcastic.com/gymnastics-calendar/] * GymCastic Games [https://gymcastic.com/games/] * GymCastic Newsletters [https://gymcastic.com/gymcastic-newsletters/]

Ellie Black's Historic Double + World-Elites-Go-to-College Fantasy Draft

ON SALE NOW: GymCastic LIVE at U.S. Championships in Phoenix [https://gymcastic.com/gymcastic-live-at-the-2026-u-s-championships/] WHEN: Sunday, Aug 9th after the women's final podium ceremony at 6pm-ish WHERE: Streaming online or Phoenix, AZ WHAT: It's the post-meet after party (with a bar and snacks). We will discuss the meet immediately after it happens—and you never know who will appear at a GymCastic live show. HOW: Tickets on sale now. [https://gymcastic.com/gymcastic-live-at-the-2026-u-s-championships/] Club Gym Nerd [https://gymcastic.com/club/] members get your discount (check your email). Ellie Black (CAN) makes Commonwealth Games history as the first gymnast ever to win two Commonwealth all-around titles. We discuss the competition highlights, Gabriel Langton's frightening high bar fall, the shakeup at World Gymnastics (FIG), gymternet news and which NCAA teams would best suit today's international elite stars. COMMONWEALTH GAMES * Ellie Black (CAN) wins her second Commonwealth all-around title * Breanna Scott (AUS) takes silver and Lia-Monica Fontaine (CAN) wins bronze * Australia wins the women's team title ahead of Canada and England * Kate McDonald (AUS) wins bars gold * Canada wins the men's team title * Reuben Ward (SCO) delivers a home all-around victory for Scotland * Watch in the United States on beIN Sports [https://faq.beincontent.com/hc/en-us/articles/29472792942867-How-to-watch-beIN-SPORTS-in-the-US]. See the full gymnastics results [https://www.glasgow2026.com/results/detailed/#/general-reports?sport=GAR]. MINI COMMISSION: INTERNATIONAL ELITES GO TO COLLEGE We match Rebeca Andrade (BRA), Kaylia Nemour (ALG), Mélanie de Jesus dos Santos (FRA), Kishi Rina (JPN), Manila Esposito (ITA), Flávia Saraiva (BRA), Eythora Thorsdottir (NED), Ellie Black (CAN) and other international stars with their ideal NCAA programs. Want your own mini commission? Join Club Gym Nerd at the World Champion level [https://gymcastic.com/club/]. CHAPTERS 00:00 – Ellie Black Makes History and Phoenix Schedule 01:37 – Gabriel Langton's High Bar Fall 04:00 – Nicolas Buompane out in World Gymnastics Shakeup 07:18 – Ellie Black's Historic Commonwealth Double 10:05 – Commonwealth Women's Team Final 15:21 – Club Gym Nerd and GymCastic Tools 18:54 – Women's All-Around Final 30:29 – Apparatus Finals and Opportunities for Comedy 40:34 – Canada and Scotland's Historic Men's Victories 45:38 – Rage-O-Meter: Commentary About Chinese Gymnasts 46:54 – Gymternet News and Romanian Safeguarding 54:02 – Nicola Bartolini Retires 55:54 – World Gymnastics Keeps Its Russian Policy 57:15 – Magnificent Seven and Phoenix Live Show 1:00:07 – Mini Commission: International Elites Go to College 1:28:16 – Club Gym Nerd and Behind The Scenes SUPPORT OUR WORK * Club Gym Nerd [https://gymcastic.com/club/]: Ad-free podcasts, weekly live Q&A episodes, bonus content, the complete members-only archive, games, forum access and live-show discounts * Shop GymCastic [https://store.gymcastic.com/] TOOLS, GAMES AND RESOURCES * LA 2028 Roster Lab [https://gymcastic.com/2028-roster-lab/] * Elite Score Explorer [https://gymcastic.com/elite-scores/] * International Gymnastics Calendar [https://gymcastic.com/gymnastics-calendar/] * GymCastic Games [https://gymcastic.com/games/] * GymCastic Newsletters [https://gymcastic.com/gymcastic-newsletters/] * The Balance Beam Situation [https://balancebeamsituation.com/] * Gymnastics History [https://www.gymnastics-history.com/] * Resistance Resources [https://gymcastic.com/resistance-resources/] Cover art and photograph © GymCastic / Steve Cooper. All rights reserved.

2026 U.S. Classic Debrief: Esponda, Ohashi's Next Move and the Worlds Picture

HEADLINES * Nadia Comăneci says Ana Barbosu's legal fees in the fight to retain her Paris 2024 bronze medal will be covered [https://www.prosport.ro/alte-sporturi/gimnastica/nadia-comaneci-ana-barbosu-medalie-comitetul-olimpic-anunt-20484365]. U.S. CLASSIC MORNING-AFTER COFFEE KLATSCH Reese Esponda Wins the U.S. Classic All-Around * Esponda improved her top all-around score by nearly a full point, finished almost a point ahead of Jade Carey and entered the conversation for a World Championships team spot. * Full U.S. Classic results and video of every routine [https://static.usagym.org/PDFs/Results/2026/w_26usclassic_sr.pdf] Katelyn Ohashi Returns to Elite Gymnastics * Ohashi made her triumphant return to elite gymnastics for the first time since 2013—and competed in her first senior U.S. Classic. Is Skye Blakely the All-Around Favorite for Nationals? MINI COMMISSION: EFFICIENT ROUTINE CONSTRUCTION: [https://gymcastic.com/club/] request for smart routine construction for Dulcy Caylor and Kaylia Nemour World Championships Qualifiers * China, Japan, South Korea and North Korea qualified teams to Rotterdam. * Amanda Yap of Singapore earned an individual Worlds spot. * The Uzbekistani and Filipino men missed Worlds qualification despite outscoring the United States and Brazil, which did qualify. CHAPTERS 00:00 – Ana Barbosu's Legal Fees 06:51 – U.S. Classic Debrief 12:55 – Reese Esponda's Worlds Case 21:25 – Katelyn Ohashi's Next Move 27:07 – Skye Blakely and Jade Carey 36:39 – Who We're Worried About 43:36 – U.S. International Standing 48:20 – Gymternet News 54:00 – Efficient Routine Construction 1:13:03 – Commonwealth Games and Worlds Qualifiers RELATED EPISODES * Behind the Scenes: U.S. Classic 2026 Meet Report [https://gymcastic.com/behind-the-scenes-u-s-classic-2026-meet-report/] * Behind the Scenes: Podium Training Report—U.S. Classic 2026 [https://gymcastic.com/behind-the-scenes-podium-training-report-u-s-classic-2026/] * Behind the Scenes: Ohashi Is Back with Scott Bregman [https://gymcastic.com/behind-the-scenes-ohashi-is-back/] UP NEXT Behind the Scenes [https://gymcastic.com/category/club-content/behind-the-scenes/], our live Q&A podcast, Fridays at noon Pacific. SUPPORT OUR WORK * Join Club Gym Nerd [https://gymcastic.com/club/] for weekly Behind the Scenes episodes, our complete members-only archive, games, the forum and live-show discounts. * Shop GymCastic merchandise [https://store.gymcastic.com/]. * Thanks to our sponsor Huel -our exclusive offer of 15% OFF with our code GYMCASTIC at huel.com/GYMCASTIC [http://www.huel.com/GYMCASTIC]. New Customers Only. Thank you to Huel for partnering and supporting our show! GYMCASTIC TOOLS, GAMES AND RESOURCES * LA 2028 Roster Lab [https://gymcastic.com/2028-roster-lab/] * Elite Score Explorer [https://gymcastic.com/elite-scores/] * International Gymnastics Calendar [https://gymcastic.com/gymnastics-calendar/] * GymCastic Games [https://gymcastic.com/games/] * GymCastic Newsletters [https://gymcastic.com/gymcastic-newsletters/] * The Balance Beam Situation [https://balancebeamsituation.com/]: Spencer's GIF Code of Points * Gymnastics History [https://www.gymnastics-history.com/]: Uncle Tim's gymnastics history and Code of Points archive * Resistance Resources [https://gymcastic.com/resistance-resources/] Cover art photos of Skye Blakely, Jade Carey and Reese Esponda © GymCastic/Steve Cooper. All rights reserved. Katelyn Ohashi cover-art photo © Melissa J. Perenson/Cal Sport Media.

Behind the Scenes: U.S. Classic 2026 Meet Report, Reese Esponda Wins, Ohashi Returns & Skye Blakely Shines

Our immediate reactions right after the meet! Everything from the 2026 U.S. Classic, including Reese Esponda's all-around victory, Katelyn Ohashi's return to elite competition, Skye Blakely's event titles, Jade Carey's upgrades, Nationals qualification, the biggest breakout performances, and historic gay TV moment. We also discuss NBC's broadcast, routine construction, Nationals qualifying procedures, and answer Club Gym Nerd questions. This is our live Q&A show, where we answer your questions. Here's how to ask questions live [https://gymcastic.com/community/club-member-area-club-member-area-member-far/#post-89]. Can't make it live? Add Club bonus episodes to your favorite podcast player (instructions here [https://gymcastic.com/community/postid/89/]). For the extended episode log in [https://gymcastic.com/my-account/], refresh this page and the extended player for Club Members will appear below. Not a member? Join here [https://gymcastic.com/club/]. CHAPTERS 00:00 – Historic Moment in Gay Gymnastics History 01:31 – Jade Carey Takes the Long View 03:11 – Reese Esponda's Bars, Beam and Winning Floor 05:41 – Katelyn Ohashi's Successful Elite Return 06:23 – Ohashi's Beam Inquiry and Qualification Score 08:45 – The Meet's Real Winner: Smart Routine Construction 10:09 – Why Ohashi's Comeback Is Already a Huge Success 13:07 – Could Ohashi Be Invited to Nationals? 15:53 – Skye Blakely Wins Bars and Beam 16:42 – Ally Damelio's Seitz 17:20 – Were the U.S. Classic Scores Too Generous? 19:12 – Leanne Wong's Smarter Beam Composition 22:53 – BONUS FOR CLUB MEMBERS BEGINS To listen to the full episode login or join Club Gym Nerd for the extended Behind The Scenes episode every Friday: https://gymcastic.com/club/ [https://gymcastic.com/club/] 23:53 – Why Katelyn Ohashi and Laurie Hernandez + Jade Made Jessica Cry 26:48 – Breakout Stars: Zoey Molomo and Isabella Anzola 31:50 – Building a World Team From the U.S. Classic 33:31 – How to Watch Peacock and the International Feed Together 34:29 – Jade Carey's Full-Twisting Double Layout Technique 36:50 – Do World Team Members Have to Be Top-Five All-Arounders? 37:10 – Should Jade Carey Increase Her Bars Difficulty? 42:02 – Charleigh Bullock's Compelling Bars Score 42:28 – Izzy Stassi's Elite Potential at Oklahoma 44:30 – Is the U.S. Currently a World-Gold Team? 45:32 – Tom Forster and the Selection Committee 49:10 – Why USAG Needs a Single-Event Qualifying Score 51:02 – Suni Lee and the Case for Specialist Qualification 52:25 – Should Katelyn Ohashi Petition to Nationals? 1:00:35 – Gymnasts Still Planning Elite Comebacks 1:03:12 – Shilese Jones' Comeback Status 1:03:30 – The Broadcast's Skye Blakely Resilience Narrative 1:08:48 – The Absurdity of Mandatory "Dry Seasons" 1:09:49 – What Does "No Partying" Actually Mean? 1:10:14 – Jessica Disappears to Dance in the Street 1:10:57 – Is LSU's Injury Management a Problem? SUPPORT OUR WORK * Club Gym Nerd: Join Club Gym Nerd [https://gymcastic.com/club/] for weekly Behind the Scenes episodes, our complete members-only archive, games, the forum and live-show discounts. * Shop GymCastic: Shop merch [https://store.gymcastic.com/]. GYMCASTIC TOOLS, GAMES AND RESOURCES * GymCastic tools: LA 2028 Roster Lab [https://gymcastic.com/2028-roster-lab/], Elite Score Explorer [https://gymcastic.com/elite-scores/] and the International Gymnastics Calendar [https://gymcastic.com/gymnastics-calendar/] * GymCastic Games [https://gymcastic.com/games/] * GymCastic Newsletters [https://gymcastic.com/gymcastic-newsletters/] * The Balance Beam Situation [https://balancebeamsituation.com/]: Spencer's GIF Code of Points * Gymnastics History [https://www.gymnastics-history.com/]: Gymnastics history and Code of Points archive from Uncle Tim * Resistance Resources [https://gymcastic.com/resistance-resources/]