Gold medalist Joscelyn Roberson is making waves in NCAA gymnastics after the unexpected transfer to Georgia. The gymnast shares what drove her to make such a shocking change.

In conversation with Inside Gymnastics Magazine, Roberson finally opened up about the emotional weight she carried while deciding to transfer to Georgia. She explained how choosing personal happiness was important for her, and she needed the change.

“I just wasn’t happy here, so I decided I had to tell them I’m gonna leave, because my happiness is worth more than anything else.”

This realization became the defining moment for her to consider her options.

Roberson added, “That was the biggest reason I decided to transfer.” Her priority was now to find peace where she could be happy. Along with it, new rumors sparked.

“Everybody's freaking out saying, Oh, you were going to Georgia from the jump,” clearing the air and setting the record straight, Roberson insisted, “but I really wasn’t.”

Roberson wants people to know the reason behind the choice of her transfer, but she explicitly cuts out the false narrative. She further showed her respect to the former coaches and added how it was not a pre-planned thing.

“I really wasn’t, because while I love Cécile [Landi] and Laurent [Landi], they’re awesome and amazing.” Having grown under their guidance, she confessed, "I can’t wait to be coached by them again.”

But clarifying that, "They were not the deciding factor for me to transfer." For Roberson, the shift was completely focused on her well-being and finding it was her priority.

“The deciding factor was I wasn’t happy here, and I wanted to go somewhere where I felt like I would be happy.”

Prioritising her mental peace over public opinion gave Roberson back the control of her life. Her fresh start at Georgia will be a happy chapter with complete focus on future endeavors.

A Look Back at Joscelyn Roberson’s Achievements

Before her transfer to the Georgia GymDogs, Roberson was a Razorback at the University of Arkansas. She had established herself as an international star and was a dominant force in collegiate gymnastics and on the world stage.

The two-time world champion had secured gold with Team USA at the 2023 World Championship in Antwerp. Later, she secured the individual bronze on vault in the 2025 Championship in Jakarta. Because of her potential, she was named as the alternative in the USA squad for the Paris Games in 2024.

During her time as a Razorback, she earned 23 scores of 9.900 or better. One of the biggest highlights was her becoming the first NCAA gymnast in history to complete the ultra-difficult Mustafina vault at the collegiate championship.

With this stellar performance record, she will arrive at Georgia as a world-class champion. The impressive history at Arkansas will help her to set the perfect foundation at Georgia.

Read more at the Gymnastics Digest!

Written by

Sebi Mehta

Edited by

Ankita Yadav