Gymnastics star Hezly Rivera might’ve missed her first World Championship appearance. But with the Pan American right around the corner, the 18-year-old is diving in with a fresh approach.

"It's gymnastics. It's a sport. You're going to have ups and downs,” in an exclusive interview with Olympics.com, Rivera reflected on her new mindset recently. “It's me doing this, not anyone else. I'm doing it for me because I want it. So, I think it's important to just find the joy in it again."

After winning her first Olympic gold (team) at the 2024 Paris Games, a rolled ankle sidelined Rivera from the World Championship. But this time, she’s heading to Rio without the competitive pressure, but for herself.

Weeks before the 2025 selection competition, a rolled ankle ended her season prematurely. However, heading to the Pan American Championship, Rivera did not doubt her physical capabilities.

"My body knows how to do all the hard stuff," she added further. "I'm just going out there and having fun. I kind of just took the pressure off myself."

However, it's not the only change Rivera will be bringing into her performance at the Pan Am.

Hezly Rivera Is Shifting Her Focus to Execution From Difficulty

While she’ll be attending the competition set for 17-21 June, Rivera’s goal is to minimize deductions and focus on her details, rather than adding difficulty. Any new connections or developments will be limited to the training.

"I'm not thinking about scores. I'm thinking about doing my job and what I do in the gym, because what I do is enough,” she said. "I know I'm exactly where I need to be… I know that there are better things to come."

Making the Worlds was her sole focus for 2025. And she’s now one step closer, as the Pan American championship will serve as a qualifier for her main goal, October’s Rotterdam Worlds.

Do you think Rivera will succeed in making her World Championship debut this time? Let us know in the comments.

Follow Gymnastics Digest for more.

Written by

Deblina Roy