Overview
- Esponda won her first senior elite all-around title at the U.S. Classic on July 19, posting a career-best 54.900 and finishing ahead of Olympic champion Jade Carey.
- She returned to full training just five weeks after a spring left-foot ligament injury that required crutches and a protective boot.
- Simone Biles sent a supportive pre-Classic text telling Esponda to use “controlled power,” and Biles later visited the World Champions Center to offer in-person encouragement.
- At the Xfinity U.S. Championships in Phoenix, Esponda posted the top mark of night one with a 14.45 on floor and entered the second day in contention overall.
- USA Gymnastics will name the five-woman Worlds team after early autumn selection events, and Esponda’s rapid comeback plus the temporary absences of several veterans have increased her chances for a Rotterdam roster spot.