Olympic gold medalist Hezly Rivera rallies to capture second straight U.S. women’s gymnastics title

PHOENIX (AP) — Hezly Rivera was, by her own admission, the “underdog” two years ago. Way back then, she was the youngest and by far the most anonymous member of the U.S. women’s Olympic gymnastics team that stormed to gold in Paris.

Those days are over. Long over.

The wide-eyed newcomer is gone, replaced by a poised and professional 18-year-old who is embracing the idea of becoming the leader of the sport’s next wave as the 2028 Olympics approach.

The proof was on display during the final day of the U.S. gymnastics championships, where Rivera shook off a fall on bars on the opening night to win her second straight national title.

Rivera’s two-day total of 111.950 was more than a point clear of runner-up Claire Pease, making Rivera the first American woman not named Simone Biles to go back-to-back since former world and Olympic champion Jordyn Wieber did it in 2011 and 2012.

Rivera was a relative unknown in Paris two years ago, when she joined an experienced group that helped the Americans win their third team gold in four Games. While some of her Olympic teammates — Biles and Suni Lee chief among them — have been on an extended break (though Lee announced last month she h...