What were you doing at age 16? Many of us had big dreams. Whether it be playing in the NBA, being a rapper who sells out stadiums or a scientist who makes ground breaking discoveries, teenage years are generally seen as a time to dream big. Very few people actually get to live out these dreams, let alone at age 16.
Hezly Rivera is a rare exception. At just 16 years old she will be representing team USA as a gymnast. Rivera was given a chance to compete in the team USA tryouts after injuries to Skye Blakely and Kayla DiCello. She took advantage of her once in a lifetime opportunity. She put on a show on the balance beam with a 27.975 score, which bested the score of Simone Biles on the beam. She finished fifth overall in the tryout and won a spot on team USA.
Hezly Rivera early life
Hezly Rivera was born in Hackensack, New Jersey. Her father, Henry Rivera, is an engineer originally from the Dominican Republic. She has two siblings named Hanly and Carhelis. Hanly is an athlete as well. Hezly Rivera started gymnastics at just five years old. She had attended a friend’s birthday party at a gymnastics facility. A staff member approached her family and told them she should try out for the team. Little did this staff member know he had just set the domino effect that would lead to an olympic career.
Hezly Rivera’s path to the olympic team
In July 2022 Hezly Rivera competed in the US classic. She finished in second place behind Jayla Hang. She won gold on the balance beam. In a way this was a preview of her olympic tryout two years later with her performance on the balance beam wowing the audience and judges. She competed in the 2022 winter cup and placed third overall. Her performance earned her a spot on the DTB pokal team challenge to represent the US. Team USA went on to win gold in the challenge.
Rivera got a chance to compete in the 2023 winter cup. She won the all around competition. Along with that she once again had an elite showcase on the balance beam, getting first place. She also got first place on the floor exercise. Rivera was given a chance to compete in the junior world championship. The USA finished in second place. Rivera got a silver medal in the floor exercise.
Photo via Paris 2024
Hazly Rivera future
Although she has accomplished a lot so far, it’s important to remember she is just 16 years old. The two gold medalists on the 2020 squad were Jade Carey, who was 21 and Suni Lee, who was 18 (remember the 2020 olympics took place in 2021 due to Covid)
The balance beam is where Hezly Rivera is most likely to take home a medal. Team USA took home a bronze medal in the 2020 games thanks to Simone Biles, but with Rivera besting Biles on the beam Rivera could possibly be the one to take a medal home this time if she can replicate her performance.
The floor exercise could also be a place where Rivera could take home a medal. Jade Carey took home the gold in the 2020 games. This could possibly mean two Americans could take home medals in this contest.
In the 2020 games, the roster size for the team all around medal was shortened to four. This means that one member of the roster, Jade Carey didn’t qualify for the team overall medal. However, this year the roster has been returned to five. This means if team USA can take home gold Hezly Rivera will qualify for a medal if team USA wins. Team USA took home silver for team overall, largely due to Simone Biles having to leave early. Team USA won gold at the two previous olympics.
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