After 13 years away from the elite gymnastics world, Katelyn Ohashi is back. The 29-year-old began her comeback Saturday at the American Classic in Champlin, Minnesota, just days after announcing her shocking return to the sport.
Ohashi competed on the balance beam and floor exercise at Saturday’s competition, beginning her effort on beam. Known for her world-class difficulty on the event, Ohashi posted a strong 13.150 in her first elite routine since 2013, winning bronze in a tie with 2025 World team member Dulcy Caylor.
Despite her years away from the sport, Ohashi did not hold back on difficulty, nailing her trademark acrobatic skill, a standing Arabian, to booming cheers from the small Minnesota crowd.
On the floor, Ohashi performed a downgraded version of her planned program, a “dance through” exercise with minimal tumbling. She received an 11.500 on the event, combining for a two-event score of 24.650. Ohashi intentionally withdrew on the remaining two events, vault and uneven bars.
In order to qualify for the U.S. Championships in August, Ohashi would have needed a combined two-event total of 26.800. She will have another chance to achieve this result at the U.S. Classic in Hartford, Connecticut, in July.
Elite Prodigy to NCAA Star
Ohashi retired from gymnastics in 2019 after finishing her senior year with the UCLA Bruins Gymnastics team, which she helped win the NCAA team title in 2018. She also won the individual NCAA title on floor exercise in 2018, collecting countless perfect tens and viral moments in the process.
Before finding stardom at UCLA, Ohashi was widely regarded as the top Olympic prospect for U.S. gymnastics. In 2011, she became the U.S. Junior National Champion, but her young age kept her ineligible from consideration for the 2012 Olympic team.
2013 was expected to be Katelyn Ohashi’s year – her turn to take the reins as the leader of the women’s sport. The then-teenager began the year on a promising note, defeating Simone Biles at the American Cup. However, Ohashi’s elite prospects quickly crumbled after a series of injuries.
More than a decade later, the beloved gymnast is back – on her terms.
“I’m taking it one day at a time; one skill, one event, one dream,” Ohashi wrote on Instagram. I don’t have any regrets in my career, and I want to be able to continue saying that.” After a promising start to her renewed gymnastics journey, the future looks bright for Katelyn Ohashi.