Fifteen years of American dominance ended by 0.233 points. China edged the United States 165.764 to 165.531 in the women’s team final at the World Gymnastics Championships in Rotterdam on Wednesday, claiming its first women’s team world title in 20 years and snapping the Americans’ run of seven consecutive crowns dating to 2011.
It came down to the very last routine. Trailing by 0.800 with one gymnast each remaining, the Americans got 13.400 from Reese Esponda on floor — but China needed only 12.600 from Qiu Qiyuan, and the 18-year-old delivered 12.833 to seal it as her teammates erupted.
The turning point was balance beam. The U.S. led by nearly two points at the halfway mark after superb vault and uneven bars, but Dulcy Caylor’s fall on her beam dismount (12.333) opened the door — and China barged through with a combined 43.366, powered by reigning world beam champion Zhang Qingying’s 15.066, the highest score of the final on any event.
Zhang’s night was remarkable in itself: pressed into service at the last minute after Zhang Yihan withdrew with a foot injury, she competed on all four apparatus — the only Chinese gymnast to do so.
The silver still secured the Americans’ ticket to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, as it did for bronze medalist Japan (164.063) — the Japanese women’s first world team medal in 60 years. Claire Pease’s 13.933 on floor led the U.S. fightback in the final rotation.
The worlds continue today with the women’s all-around final (10:30 a.m. PT), where Skye Blakely and Claire Pease chase what would be a 24th straight U.S. all-around podium at global championships.
Photo: Xinhua News
Photo: Xinhua News
Photo: Xinhua News
Source: USA Today, October 21, 2026
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