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Three Gators gymnasts have been chosen to represent the U.S. in Antwerp, Belgium next month for the 2023 World Gymnastics Championships, taking up 50% of the roster.
World Gymnastics Roster
Skye Blakely and Leanne Wong have been placed on the five-spot 2023 World Championships roster; Kayla DiCello is the travelling replacement athlete. DiCello has also been placed on the team roster for the Pan American Games.
Please join us in congratulating the 2023 Women’s World Championships Team presented by @Xfinity!
⭐️ Simone Biles
⭐️ Skye Blakely
⭐️ Shilese Jones
⭐️ Joscelyn Roberson
⭐️ Leanne WongTraveling Replacement Athlete: Kayla DiCello pic.twitter.com/QTLWbPNuxI
— USA Gymnastics (@USAGym) September 21, 2023
In addition, Simone Biles placed first in the U.S. Women’s World Selection Camp after scoring 55.7, automatically giving her a spot on the team. The other competitors were chosen on Wednesday by the Athlete Selection Committee. Blakely scored a 55, Wong scored a 54.85 and DiCello scored a 54.25. Blakely placed first on the balance beam with a 14.35.
History Repeats Itself
Blakely and Wong competed on the 2022 Artistic Gymnastics World Championships U.S. team, winning gold for the sixth year in a row. In 2021, Wong won silver all-around and bronze floor at the Japan World Championships. She is also one of three gymnasts in history to compete in college in between back to back World Championships. Blakely finished second in the all-around at the 2022 Winter Cup.
Additionally, Simone Biles won the first of her all-around championships in Antwerp when she was just 16 years old. She is now returning 10 years later, favored to be the highest decorated gymnast in history.
https://twitter.com/GatorsGym/status/1704679104170098956
Blakely announced that she will defer her NCAA career and join the Gators in Fall 2024.
The Artistic Gymnastic World Championship begins on Oct. 1 at 11:45 a.m. ET and runs until Oct. 8.
The Pan American Games begin on Oct. 22.
