Pease and Esponda Dominate Floor Final to Conclude Championships
The 2026 Artistic World Championships in Rotterdam, Netherlands, concluded on Sunday, October 25, with American gymnasts Claire Pease and Reese Esponda securing a commanding one-two finish in the women's floor exercise final. Pease, the final athlete to compete, delivered a dominant performance to earn the gold medal with a score of 13.866. Esponda followed closely, taking the silver medal with a score of 13.566. This remarkable achievement capped off a successful competition for the United States, which finished atop the overall medal standings with a total of eight medals, including three gold.
The floor final also saw Maiana Prat of France secure the bronze medal with a score of 13.466. Prat, aged 16, was noted as having the lowest degree of difficulty among the medalists but earned bronze due to a superior execution score compared to Abigail Martin of Great Britain, who was the oldest competitor in the final at 18. Esponda's silver medal marked her second of the championships and her first individual World medal, while Pease's gold was her first World title in her senior Championships debut. For Pease, this was her third medal of the competition, having also earned silver medals in the team competition and on vault.
U.S. Women's Team Selection and Journey to Rotterdam
The path to the 2026 Artistic World Championships for the U.S. women's team began with a rigorous selection process. The team was finalized following the 2026 World Championships Selection Event held in Crossville, Tennessee. Claire Pease and Charleigh Bullock earned automatic spots on the team based on their all-around performances on Day 1, which were combined with their U.S. Championships scores. The remaining three team members—Hezly Rivera, Skye Blakely, and Reese Esponda—were selected by a discretionary committee after the conclusion of Day 2 competition.
This year's World Championships marked a significant milestone for the team, as four of the five members were debutantes at the senior World level. Skye Blakely, the most experienced member and a six-time World medalist, led the squad. The 2026 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships were scheduled to take place from October 17-25 in Rotterdam, with podium training commencing on October 14. This event represented the first major team competition for the U.S. women since their gold medal victory at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Team USA's Performance and Medal Haul
The United States concluded the 2026 Artistic World Championships with a leading medal count, underscoring their dominance in the sport. The team secured a total of eight medals, with three of them being gold. This performance allowed the U.S. to edge out China, who finished with seven medals, including three golds. The final day of competition saw Claire Pease and Reese Esponda's impressive one-two finish on floor exercise, a highlight that solidified the American team's top position.
Beyond the floor final, other notable performances contributed to the U.S. medal tally. Skye Blakely, the reigning World all-around champion, had an active week, earning a sixth-place finish on the balance beam with a score of 13.633. Blakely also contributed significantly to the team's success, having won gold in the all-around competition and bronze medals on the uneven bars and vault. In the women's vault final, Claire Pease secured her first individual World medal with a silver, while Blakely earned the bronze. The men's side also saw success, with Frederick Richard claiming the floor exercise title, marking the first American man to win World gold on floor since Paul Hamm in 2003.
Key Competitors and Final Standings
In the women's floor exercise final, the American duo of Claire Pease and Reese Esponda showcased their high-difficulty routines to secure the top two podium spots. Pease, aged 17, scored 13.866 for her gold-medal performance, while Esponda, also 17, earned 13.566 for her silver. The competition was tight for the bronze medal, with Maiana Prat of France (13.466) securing the third spot. Prat's placement was determined by a tiebreak with Abigail Martin of Great Britain, with Prat advancing due to a better execution score.
The overall team standings saw the United States finish at the top of the medal table. Their eight medals, including three golds, placed them ahead of China, who also secured three gold medals but finished with a total of seven medals. The U.S. women's team had a strong showing throughout the championships, with key athletes like Skye Blakely leading the charge. Blakely's performances included a gold medal in the all-around, and bronze medals on uneven bars and vault. The team's success in Rotterdam builds upon their recent victory at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where they won gold.
What This Means
The one-two finish by Claire Pease and Reese Esponda on floor exercise at the 2026 Artistic World Championships signifies a strong showing for the emerging talent within the U.S. women's gymnastics program. This result, coupled with the team's overall success and top ranking in the medal table, indicates the program's continued strength and depth. The performances of these young athletes, many of whom are debutantes at this level, suggest a promising future for American gymnastics, potentially setting the stage for continued success in upcoming international competitions, including the lead-up to the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles.
The conclusion of the championships in Rotterdam also highlights the successful transition for the U.S. women's team following the Paris Olympics. The team's ability to secure a top position in the medal count, despite being a relatively new squad at the senior World level, demonstrates effective athlete development and strategic planning. The performances in Rotterdam will likely influence future team selections and training focus as athletes aim for further international accolades and Olympic qualification.
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