Reese Esponda Wins Silver at Artistic World Championships

The 17-year-old gymnast secured a floor exercise medal as the U.S. women's team earned a 2028 Olympic qualification.

Updated on Oct. 29, 2026 in Gymnastics

Reese Esponda Wins Silver at Artistic World Championships

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Seventeen-year-old Reese Esponda claimed a silver medal in the women's floor exercise at the 2026 Artistic World Championships in Rotterdam. Her performance contributed to a successful campaign where the U.S. women's team secured a spot at the 2028 Olympic Games.

Why it matters

The team's podium finish and qualification ensure a clear pathway toward the upcoming Olympic cycle for the United States. This result solidifies the country's position as a top contender in international gymnastics through 2028.

Esponda earned a silver with a score of 13.566, finishing behind Claire Pease, who recorded 13.866. Overall, the U.S. women's team finished with seven total medals at the Championships.

The players

Reese Esponda

She is a 17-year-old high school senior and LSU commit who previously made the 2023 U.S. Junior National Team.

Claire Pease

She is a competitive gymnast who secured a score of 13.866 in the floor exercise final.

Skye Blakely

She is a standout gymnast who won gold in the all-around and two bronze medals at the Championships.

The details

Esponda, a high school senior committed to LSU, performed a 13.566 routine in the floor exercise final to secure her medal. Her teammate Skye Blakely also contributed significantly to the U.S. haul with a gold in the all-around and bronze medals in both the vault and uneven bars.

Esponda made the U.S. Junior National Team in 2023.
Esponda placed second in floor at Winter Cup in February 2026.
Team USA won the Jesolo Trophy in March 2026.
Esponda won all-around title at U.S. Classic in July 2026.
The U.S. team qualified for the 2028 Olympics on October 25, 2026.

Season Trajectory

The U.S. team's qualification for the 2028 Olympic Games establishes their status as a global leader in the current quadrennium. This performance builds on momentum from previous 2026 successes like the Jesolo Trophy win and provides a strong foundation for future international competition.

The U.S. women's team has officially punched their ticket to the 2028 Olympic Games by finishing among the top three squads in the team competition. Esponda's silver medal performance adds to the U.S. total of seven medals earned during the week of competition in Rotterdam.

The takeaway

The success of younger athletes like Esponda shows the depth of the current American talent pool as the team moves into the next Olympic cycle. Fans should watch for how these emerging stars integrate with veteran competitors in major tournaments leading up to 2028.