A dynasty’s grip has slipped, as China won the women’s team title at this week’s 2026 World Gymnastics Championships to snap a 15-year US reign spanning seven straight championships.
China posted 165.764 to USA Gymnastics’ 165.531, marking the closest team final since Russia edged the US in 2010.
The defending champion led at the halfway mark and won the uneven bars, but the balance beam proved decisive — Dulcy Caylor fell on her dismount while China’s Zhang Qingying anchored the rotation with a 15.066.
The US took silver to lock up its 2028 LA Olympics berth, as Skye Blakely — the team's only Worlds veteran — and Claire Pease shift focus to Friday’s all-around final before setting down the path to 2027 Worlds in China.
“We know where we want to be, and we know there’s still work to do,” said US team leader Chellsie Memmel. “We have the time, and I think it’s going to light a fire in them.”
The World Gymnastics Championships run through Sunday (Peacock).
