China claimed the women’s team title at the 54th World Gymnastics Championships in Rotterdam, ending a 20 year wait for gold. The Chinese team scored 165.764 points on Wednesday evening to end the United States’ seven year run as champions.
The US finished second with 165.531 points, while Japan took bronze with 164.063. China delivered 12 clean routines during the final, making it the only team to complete the competition without an error.
China had also topped the qualifying standings before joining the defending champions, the United States, in the final.
China Seize Control After Crucial Balance Beam Round
The United States held the advantage after the first two events, vault and uneven bars. It led China by 1.967 points, putting the Americans in a strong position to retain their title.
However, the balance beam changed the contest. China produced a combined score of 43.366 points, while the US managed only 39.199.
A fall by Dulcy Caylor proved costly for the Americans. Caylor competed in place of 2024 Olympic gold medallist Hezly Rivera, and her mistake gave China a chance to take control.
China gained 4.167 points on the US in the balance beam round. As a result, the Chinese team moved into the lead by 2.200 points after three events and held on to secure the title.
The victory marked China’s first women’s team gold at the World Championships in 20 years. It also returned the team to the podium for the first time since winning bronze in 2018.
Chang Cheng, director of the Gymnastics Management Centre of the State General Administration of Sport, highlighted the work behind the result. He described the team competition as a ‘three-dimensional battle’ or a ‘systematic battle’, stressing that success depends on more than the 12 routines performed during the final.
Technical preparation, contingency plans and logistical support all played a part in China’s triumph.
The same six gymnasts also helped China win team titles at the Asian Championships and Asian Games before the World Championships. The squad featured five main competitors and one substitute: Du Siyu, Ke Qinqin, Zhang Qingying, Qiu Qiyuan, Zhang Yihan, and Qin Xinyi.
Chang compared the three competitions to ‘small tests, medium tests, and big tests’. He said the team “performed better and better in each one.”
China has traditionally excelled on the uneven bars and balance beam. However, vault and floor exercises have remained weaker areas for the team.
During the Los Angeles Olympic cycle, the coaching staff focused on improving those events while preparing athletes for both team and individual all-around competitions. Chang explained that the team had devoted more time and effort to strengthening its weaker disciplines.
“The team is more important than the individual—This is the team’s philosophy, and it runs through every aspect of preparation,” he stressed.
China’s victory in Rotterdam showed the value of that collective approach. With a clean performance under pressure, the team ended its long wait for world gold and delivered a major boost ahead of the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic cycle.
