Asher Hong has not competed since the NCAA Championships in April. He played a key role in Stanford’s team victory. Brody Malone has also been absent from competition. He won his second world title on the high bar last year. Donnell Whittenburg confirmed he will not compete at the 2026 U.S. Gymnastics Championships in Phoenix. This is after he tore his bicep. These three notable absentees are a significant loss for the men’s field. Hong and Malone have been dominant competitors in recent years. Whittenburg defended his world title on rings just months ago.
The 2026 U.S. Gymnastics Championships are set to take place from August 6 to 9 in Phoenix, Arizona. This meet will determine five spots for the men’s World Championships team. There is no selection camp following the event to change the decisions. On the women’s side, the competition in Phoenix will account for less than half of the process to select the World team. The remaining spots will be determined at a separate event in September. This format increases the pressure on the men. Their chances are decided entirely within the span of a weekend. There is no opportunity to recover from mistakes or improve over time.
Competition Dynamics Shift
Simmons described the situation as “not ideal.” Hong and Whittenburg were both recent world champions. Their absence from the competition changes the dynamics of the meet. Without a selection camp to adjust the field, the competition becomes even more competitive. The three-time champions stepping away due to injury or inactivity adds an unusual challenge. This is to what should be a high-stakes competition. It raises the question of what new stars will emerge in their absence.
The hosts agree that the pressure of a one-weekend selection process is a valuable test. This approach emphasizes performing well under pressure. Results from the competition will determine the final selections. Both Simmons and James expressed confidence in the format. They noted that it rewards athletes who can deliver their best under intense scrutiny. “We want to see what you can do with the lights on the brightest,” Simmons said on the show. He emphasized the desire to identify athletes who can perform under the high expectations of the national stage.
Pommel Horse and the Battle for Depth
Stephen Nedoroscik, an Olympic bronze medalist, is returning from injury to compete on the pommel horse. Patrick Hoopes of Air Force recently won a world medal, while Brandon Dang of Illinois claimed the NCAA title on the same event. James highlighted the role of college gymnastics in building depth in the U.S. program. “You need guys that hit every event,” he said. “Maybe that’s the secret sauce.” This emphasis on consistent performance across all events has helped the United States develop a strong group of gymnasts for pommel horse, with multiple competitors capable of standing out.
Pommel Horse Contenders
Simmons predicts that Hoopes will win the pommel horse title. James, however, sees Dang as the underdog with potential. Nedoroscik remains the favorite, but the competition has grown tighter, and a single fall could alter the outcome. Fred Richard is the top contender for the all-around title. The battle on the pommel horse is expected to be one of the highlights of the meet, with each of these three athletes capable of delivering a performance that could secure their spot on the World team.
Simmons identifies a top four for the all-around competition: Richard, Shane Wiskus, Yul Moldauer, and Danila Leykin. Wiskus secured his spot by winning the men’s national qualifier outright. Moldauer is returning to domestic competition after leaving the University of Oklahoma to train under new coaches. This return marks a significant moment for him, as Phoenix will be his first major competition since rejoining the national stage. His experience and past success could help him challenge for the title once again.
Rising Star to Watch
Leykin, a gymnast from EVO Gymnastics, is a rising star in the competition. He trains under Sergei, who also coached at WOGA before moving to EVO. James described Leykin as having “real international polish” and believes he could surprise everyone by making the World team. Leykin’s background and training environment could give him a significant advantage, and his potential to rise through the ranks has not gone unnoticed by coaches and analysts.
EVO Gymnastics is sending the largest delegation to the 2026 U.S. Gymnastics Championships with 16 athletes. This number surpasses any other program in the country. Their strong representation highlights the growing influence of the club in domestic gymnastics and could signal a shift in the competitive landscape. With multiple athletes on the same team, EVO has the potential to dominate the event and showcase their talent on a national stage.
The competition in Phoenix will not only determine the men’s World team but also set the tone for future events in the 2026 season. Without the presence of three-time champions and with the added pressure of a one-weekend format, this meet promises to be a defining moment in the careers of the athletes competing. The absence of Hong, Malone, and Whittenburg has created an opportunity for up-and-coming gymnasts to make their mark and solidify their place on the national team.
As the meet approaches, the focus will be on how athletes handle the pressure of competing for a spot in the World Championships. With no selection camp to provide a second chance, every performance on August 6 to 9 will matter. The competition for the pommel horse title, the all-around race, and the growing influence of EVO Gymnastics all point to a weekend filled with excitement, drama, and the potential for new stars to emerge.
The U.S. gymnastics community is eager to see which athletes will step up in the absence of the reigning champions. With a new generation of competitors ready to take on the challenge, the 2026 U.S. Gymnastics Championships are shaping up to be a pivotal event in the sport.