NEWYou can now listen to Pakinomist articles!
The US women’s gymnastics team won just two medals at the world championships in Jakarta this past week. It was the country’s lowest medal total in the international competition since 2001.
The USA’s only two medalists were Leanne Wong, who won an all-around silver, and Joscelyn Roberson, who won bronze on vault.
CLICK HERE FOR MORE SPORTS COVERAGE ON Pakinomist
USA’s Joscelyn Roberson trains at the Indonesia Arena in Jakarta on October 18, 2025 ahead of the 53rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships. The championships will be held from October 19 to 25 for the first time in a Southeast Asian country. (Yasuyoshi CHIBA/AFP)
American presenter Chellsie Memmel spoke about the team’s underperformance.
“It was rough,” Memmel said, according to Olympics.com. “There were some very good pieces, but then it was tough. I didn’t feel like there was an attack on their events and their skills in general. There were still good things, but I have work to do.
MYKAYLA SHINES OPENS UP ON JOINING ‘SAVE WOMEN’S SPORTS’ MOVEMENT AFTER SIMONE BILES FEUD
Leanne Wong of the United States prepares for her training during the women’s qualification on day three of the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships at the Indonesia Arena on October 21, 2025 in Jakarta, Indonesia. (Tom Weller/Getty Images)
“We want to talk about it, but not kill it,” Memmel continued. “They know what happened. They know they didn’t perform their best, so they want to come in and go to practice and reset.”
The USA is accustomed to regular dominance in the women’s category in international gymnastics. This was only the third year since 2006 that the United States did not finish with the most women’s medals since 2006, apart from 2017 and 2021, when it was tied for most with Japan and Russia.
Dulcy Caylor of the United States competes on the balance beam during the women’s all-around final at the 53rd FIG Artistic Gymnastics World Championships in Jakarta on October 23, 2025. (Yasuyoshi CHIBA/AFP)
This year the team was without superstars Simone Biles, Suni Lee, Jade Carey and Jordan Chiles.
If the past week is any indication, that could spell trouble for the U.S. women’s gymnastics dynasty heading into the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
“For me, that means going into every ride with the intention that it’s going to be great and being confident about it,” Memmel explained. “To believe in it – to believe in themselves – to do it and know they can execute it when the time comes to raise their hand.”
