The USA men’s gymnastics team is bringing experience and promise to the 2026 Pan American Championships in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

The squad will attempt to defend its 2025 title and secure qualification for the upcoming events.

The team was selected following this month’s Men’s National Team camp in Colorado Springs, with the roster led by Olympian Yul Moldauer. He is a nine-time gold medalist at the Winter Cup and was part of Team USA's silver-winning squad at the 2026 American Cup.

He’ll be joined by 2025 World pommel horse bronze medalist Patrick Hoopes, 2025 U.S. horizontal bar champion Taylor Burkhart, 2026 Cottbus World Cup still rings bronze medalist Kameron Nelson, and Winter Cup floor exercise bronze medalist Riley Loos.

Veteran Donnell Whittenburg was named the traveling replacement athlete by USA Gymnastics, with Brandon Dang being the non-traveling backup.

“The U.S. men’s program has announced the five-man roster of seniors set to defend their 2025 team title,” USA Gymnastics announced.

The 2026 Pan American Championships hold a significant importance. The competition is a qualifier for the 2026 World Championships in Rotterdam, Netherlands, and the 2027 Pan American Games in Lima, Peru. As a consequence, every routine in Rio just became a lot more important.

Moldauer comes with the most experience and accolades on the roster. The Tokyo Olympian's achievements include a bronze medal at the 2023 World Championships and three gold medals at the 2023 Pan American Championships.

Among other athletes, Taylor Burkhart will aim to erase his 2025 blues. The 23-year-old was forced to leave last year's Pan Am Championships after tweaking his back. Despite receiving a gold medal, he may have a point to prove this season.

On the other hand, Nelson and Loos are moving up the senior ladder. Both gymnasts earned podium finishes earlier this season, with Loos ending 2025 with a gold medal at the DTB Pokal Mixed Cup.

Nelson, meanwhile, was crowned Still Rings champion and won team gold alongside Moldauer at the 2026 DTB Pokal.

USA Gymnastics Brings Youth and Experience to Rio

The squad also demonstrates the ever-increasing influence of the NCAA in the national team setup. Burkhart and Loos both compete for Stanford University, Hoopes for the U.S. Air Force Academy, and Dang for the University of Illinois.

The selection committee has taken a balanced approach to the roster. Fresh off a win at the 2026 DTB Pokal, Team USA is relying on roster members Moldauer and Nelson to replicate their performances in Rio.

While they beat Japan in Stuttgart, Rio will pose a tougher challenge, as Brazil usually scores 1.5 to 2.0 points higher at home, especially on Still Rings.

With World Championships qualification on the line, Team USA will begin its quest for another continental crown and a shot at bigger stages.

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Written by

Chitrak Mukherjee

Edited by

Sijo Paul