Leanne Wong returns to elite competition this Saturday at the U.S. Classic.
Leanne Wong Returns to Elite Competition Saturday at U.S. Classic
Thursday, July 28, 2022 | Gymnastics
Share:
By: Asia Cymone Smith
It was a successful start of Leanne Wong's collegiate career, accumulating eight All-America honors and claiming the Southeastern Conference balance beam title.
Still, in the not-so-back of her mind was an intention to return to elite gymnastics and earn a spot on her fourth U.S. Senior National team.
Returning to elite is relatively rare for a collegiate gymnast. So a bit over nine months since Wong's last elite competition where she took World Championships all-around silver, she competes Saturday in the U.S. Classic in Salt Lake Valley, Utah. Then, she competes in the U.S. Championships in Tampa beginning on August 19. Leanne Wong won World Championships all-around silver and floor exercise bronze at the 2021 World Championships.
While collegiate and elite gymnastics have different skill requirements, Wong has always seen potential in herself to make a successful return. "I never really completely retired from elite. It's always been in the back of my mind," says Wong. She believes her season at Florida prepared her for her elite competition. "Since college is all about perfection, doing simpler skills but executing them really well, I think that'll help me to do the same, even when I'm doing harder skills," she says. Competing weekly and executing the basics during the collegiate campaign has set Wong up for success this summer.
Wong plans to compete in the four apparatus in both competitions this summer. Since finishing the collegiate season, she has been practicing a handful of difficult skills to add back into her routines. "I'm definitely going to do my double double on floor again, two and a half front full, and maybe bring back the Arabian pike," she says. The rising sophomore also plans to compete two different vaults, including a Yurchenko double full and her collegiate half on, pike half off. On beam, Wong's focus is to connect her skills while she hopes to add a Pak full on bars at some point.
Wong left Gainesville near the end of June to continue training back home in Overland Park, Kansas. There, she is continuing her online summer classes while spending quality time with her family. Her two younger brothers, Michael (13) and Brenden (10), also play sports. They swim and competed this summer in a golf tournament. Additionally, Brenden is a big gymnastics fan, and never shies away from giving Wong advice. "If he sees something that I should do, he's tells me, 'you should do this or fix this,'" says Wong. Having the support of her siblings is a refreshing part of being home.
Additionally, Wong's time at home has given her the chance to work on her business, Leanne Wong's Bowtique. She started making bows for her high school elective when she had to design an accessory for an outfit. Then, Wong decided to create more bows to match all of her gymnastics leotards. With her mom's help, Wong now sells the bows, and often sees young gymnasts wearing them around her hometown or at competitions.
Gator Nation can watch Wong in her return to elite competitions:
How to Follow U.S. Classic
Maverik Center, Salt Lake Valley, Utah Tickets
Saturday, July 30
Senior Women: 7-9 p.m. ET on NBCSports.com and Peacock Premium
U.S. Championships
Amalie Arena, Tampa, Fla. Tickets
Friday, Aug. 19
Senior Women: 7 p.m. ET on Olympic Channel
Sunday, Aug. 21
Senior Women: 7 p.m. ET on NBC
