INDIANAPOLIS (March 7, 2023) – USA Gymnastics on Tuesday announced Junior artistic assignments for the 2023 FIG Junior World Championships, DTB Pokal Team Challenge, and City of Jesolo Trophy.

2023 Artistic Junior World Championships, March 29-April 2, Antalya, Turkey

The eight-athlete U.S. delegation for Junior Worlds will be led by 2023 Winter Cup junior all-around men’s and women’s champions Kai Uemura (Chicago, Ill./Lakeshore Academy of Art Gymnastics) and Hezly Rivera (Oradell, N.J./WOGA Gymnastics). The women’s team also includes Jayla Hang (Bellevue, Wash./Pacific Reign Gymnastics) and Izzy Stassi (North Royalton, Ohio/Buckeye Gymnastics), with Kiran Mandava (Cypress, Texas/Cypress Academy of Gymnastics) and David Shamah (Rock Hill, N.Y./ EVO Gymnastics) representing the men. Kieryn Finnell (Pittsford, N.Y./RGA) and Caden Clinton (Cypress, Texas/Cypress Academy of Gymnastics) will travel as replacement athletes for the women and men, respectively.

DTB Pokal Team Challenge, March 17-19, Stuttgart, Germany

In addition to the senior athletes named last week to compete in the DTB Pokal Team Challenge, five gymnasts were selected to represent the U.S. men in junior competition. Returning to the world stage are Danila Leykin (Bradenton, Fla./EVO Gymnastics) and 2022 U.S. junior vault champion Alex Nitache (Knoxville, Tenn./GymTek Academy). Solen Chiodi (Marquette, Mich./Mini-Hops Gymnastics), Zach Green (San Jose, Calif./Stanford Boys Gymnastics) and Max Odden (Scottsdale, Ariz./North Valley Gymnastics) will see international competition for the first time.

City of Jesolo Trophy, April 1-2, Jesolo, Italy

The U.S. women will send two juniors to participate in the City of Jesolo Trophy. 2022 U.S. junior balance beam co-champion Audrey Snyder (Annapolis, Md./First State Gymnastics) and Gabrielle Hardie (Sioux Falls, S.D./Twin City Twisters) both will make their Jesolo debuts in 2023.

USA Junior Assignment Summary

  • 2023 FIG Artistic Junior World Championships (women): Hezly Rivera, Jayla Hang, Izzy Stassi; Kieryn Finnell*
  • 2023 FIG Artistic Junior World Championships (men): Kai Uemura, Kiran Mandava, David Shamah; Caden Clinton*
  • DTB Pokal Team Challenge (men): Danila Leykin, Alex Nitache, Solen Chiodi, Zach Green, Max Odden
  • City of Jesolo Trophy (women): Audrey Snyder, Gabrielle Hardie

*Denotes traveling replacement athlete

Men’s selections were made by the Men’s Junior Selection Committee. Women’s selections were made following selection camp and competition in Katy, Texas. Results from Tuesday’s competition in Katy can be found here.