China Wins Women’s Gymnastics World Title, Ending U.S. Streak

China Wins World Gold in Rotterdam

The women’s team competition at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships held in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, was won by China with a 0.233-point margin over the United States. The Chinese gymnasts scored 165.764 points to prevent the Americans from winning an eighth consecutive team title.

To seal the win for China prior to the final floor routine, Qiu Qiyuan had to post a score higher than 12.600 points. She received 12.833 points, delivering the nation its first world championship gold in the women’s team competition since 2006. According to Al Jazeera, China also finished first in qualification. Japan claimed third place, finishing 1.468 points behind the U.S. team, while France took fourth.

U.S. Mistakes on the Balance Beam

The defending U.S. team led at the halfway point of the competition following strong routines on the vault and uneven bars. Skye Blakely was the only gymnast on the roster who also competed for the U.S. squad that won its seventh consecutive title in 2023. Yet, an error on the balance beam by 18-year-old Kaylor Dalsi resulted in a score of 12.333 points.

The Americans lost more than four points to the Chinese team on that apparatus. Zhang Qingying, who posted the top score in qualification on the balance beam, scored 15.066 points for her routine.

Absence of Simone Biles

Simone Biles did not compete for the U.S. team in Rotterdam. The 23-time world champion, who has won the team competition five times, took a break from her career following the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, where she won three gold medals.

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