Elijah Connor (EVO) the next superstar?

Elijah Connor (age 16) had an impressive Nationals.

Hit 12 / 12.

Not many yet know the name.

Click PLAY or watch an interview on Instagram.

Battle Royale – Pro Gymnastics Canada

November 15, 2026. Kingston, Ontario.

Details.

Teams of 4 or more gymnasts age 16+. All women, all men, or any combination. Compete only the apparatus of your choice.

Battle Royale is a single-day spectacle: 32 teams in the morning, four in the final at night, one champion before midnight.

CAD $25,000 prize money.

Men compete Senior FIG. Women Level 10 rules.

Follow it on Instagram.

This is the 1st of three cash competitions scheduled.

NOTE ➙ A Mini Royale is planned, as well, for younger gymnasts. November 14–15, 2026 at the Slush Puppie Place · Kingston, ON. CAD $10,000 prize money.

Cooper Kim ➙ H Bar

This is the routine that impressed me most at USA Championships. And surprised me.

Ignore the score. But it’s still one of the best routines in the world in 2026.

Click PLAY or watch it on YouTube.

Hezly Rivera defends U.S. National Title

1. Hezly Rivera 111.950
2. Claire Pease 110.800
3. Charleigh Bullock 110.550
4. Reese Esponda 108.900
5. Jade Carey 108.750
6. Dulcy Caylor 107.350
7. Skye Blakely 107.300
8. Caroline Moreau 107.100
– Izzy Stassi 107.100
10. Simone Rose 107.050

Unlike the U.S. men, the women will NOT name their Worlds team after this competition.

Team Selection Camp is scheduled for late September 2026 ➙ for Artistic World Championships in Rotterdam, Netherlands (October 17–25, 2026).

Read Lauren’s LIVE blog.

Read Spencer’s LIVE blog.

U.S. Jr National Team named

Vivi Crain
Eva Doherty
Sadie Drake
Madelyn Eagle
Avery Haines
Brooklyn Klauser
Anslee McCauley
Amia Pugh-Banks
Paisley Ritger
Kylie Smith
Cassie Tan
Addalye VanGrinsven
Audrey VanGrinsven
Sydney Williams

Addalye VanGrinsven – U.S. Jr National Champion

A dominant competition for ‘Addy’. She trains at Pacific Reign Gymnastics in Washington state. Region 2.

1. Addalye VanGrinsven 105.100
2. Kylie Smith 102.350
3. Amia Pugh-Banks 101.950
4. Madelyn Eagle 100.900
5. Eva Doherty 100.850
6. Brooklyn Klauser 100.800
7. Avery Haines 100.450
8. Anslee McCauley 100.400

Read Lauren’s LIVE blog.

U.S. Men’s Team to Worlds ’26

Of a number of possible good options, here’s who was selected for Rotterdam in October.

⭐️ Patty Hoopes
⭐️ Dani Leykin
⭐️ Kam Nelson
⭐️ Fred Richard
⭐️ Shane Wiskus

I’m glad Yul is traveling with the team. Experience. Hype. AND he could go in to replace anyone, if needed.

Shelli crunched the numbers concluding that team selection was logical. She’d also be happy if they’d taken Cooper Kim over a Pommel specialist.

U.S. Champion Fred Richard

Final results over 2 days.

1. Fred Richard 170.015
2. Shane Wiskus 167.964
3. Danila Leykin 167.001
4. Joshua Karnes 164.552
5. Yul Moldauer 163.896
6. Cooper Kim 163.736
7. Taylor Burkhart 163.736
8. David Shamah 161.316