On Oct. 21, Leanne Wong won all-around silver in her very first senior World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, and she scored just about three-tenths behind winner Angelina Melnikova from the Russian Gymnastics Federation. You can find a recap of that competition here, but know that the 18-year-old remained in second place after the second rotation, and she came to compete with strong routines.
Of her silver-medal finish, Wong told GymCastic post-competition that she was “super excited” since her goal was to win a world medal. She was an Olympic team alternate for the United States, but she was confined to a hotel room after being deemed a close contact to another US alternate who’d tested positive for COVID-19. Her time in Tokyo, she said, made her determined to qualify for Worlds. “After getting quarantined, I definitely wanted to come and compete at a World Championships because I just didn’t even get to practice or do anything last time in Tokyo, so I just wanted a better experience, and it’s been a really fun experience.”
Ahead, check out some fun facts about Wong, and catch her in the beam and floor event finals on Sunday, Oct. 24, along with teammate — and 2021 world all-around bronze medalist — Kayla DiCello.