Team USA’s Kayla DiCello, Leanne Wong advance to gymnastics worlds finals

Kayla DiCello and Leanne Wong are holding down the fort for USA Gymnastics at the World Championships, advancing to the finals in the all-around, balance beam and floor events.

It’s official! 🇺🇸 women are advancing to Finals at Worlds. Congrats! #Kitakyushu2021

All-Around (Oct. 21 @ 5 AM ET): Kayla DiCello & Leanne Wong
Balance Beam (Oct. 24 @ 3:25 AM ET): Kayla DiCello & Leanne Wong
Floor (Oct. 24 @ 3:25 AM ET): Kayla DiCello & Leanne Wong https://t.co/KSaab29kcK

— USA Gymnastics (@USAGym) October 19, 2021

Russia’s Angelina Melnikova, who won a gold and two bronze in Tokyo and is the all-around title favorite, sits first overall after the qualification for the all-around. Brazil’s Rebeca Andrade leads the way on vault and uneven bars.

Both DiCello and Wong were Olympic team alternates who have led the way for Team USA at the World Championships as many of the top U.S. gymnasts are away post-Olympics.

As mentioned in Just Women’s Sports championships preview, however, that doesn’t mean that their presence in the finals should be surprising.

“This is our turn to show the world what we can do,” DiCello said.

The all-around final is set for Thursday, while the event finals on Saturday and Sunday will air live on the Olympic Channel. Tape-delayed coverage will also be provided by NBC.