JAKARTA, INDONESIA - OCTOBER 21: Leanne Wong of Team United States reacts after competing in the balance beam during the Women's qualification on day three of the Artistic Gymnastics World Championships at Indonesia Arena on October 21, 2025 in Jakarta, Indonesia. (Photo by Yong Teck Lim/Getty Images)
Next stop: Hartford, Connecticut. The 2026 U.S. Classic competition caps the final stretch ahead of August's U.S. Championships, and many of the nation's top female gymnasts will take the stage from July 17-18 to vie for medals, gain competitive experience and qualify for nationals.
With the 2028 LA Olympics just two years away, this year's field is significantly stronger than the last, and recent comeback announcements point to more competitive battles ahead. From Olympic gold medalists to up-and-coming rookie stars, here are the top athletes to watch at the 2026 U.S. Classic.
Watch the 2026 U.S. Classic: TV channel, streaming, and start times.
Two-time NCAA Champion, UCLA Gymnastics star, and former Olympic hopeful Katelyn Ohashi is in the midst of a comeback that few saw coming. Ohashi announced her return to the sport in June and made her comeback days later at the American Classic, marking her first elite gymnastics routine in over 13 years.