In a thrilling finish at the 2026 World Gymnastics Championships held in Rotterdam, the Chinese women’s team captured the gold medal in the team final. They edged out the powerhouse United States squad by a razor-thin margin of just 0.233 points. Meanwhile, Japan secured the bronze medal, marking their first podium finish as a team at the world championships since 1966.

This victory represents a major milestone for China, securing their first world team championship since 2006. For Team USA, the silver medal brings an end to an unprecedented seven-title streak, halting a golden run that began back in 2011. The historic conclusion played out on October 21, 2026, officially closing a legendary chapter in American gymnastics.

Beyond the medals, the top three delegations successfully clinched coveted team berths for the 2028 Olympic Games, ensuring full roster representation for China, the United States, and Japan.

Women’s Team Final Results

  • Gold: China – 165.764
  • Silver: United States – 165.531
  • Bronze: Japan – 164.063

For the first time in over a decade, the gold medal appeared up for grabs. As the top two qualifying squads, China and the United States rotated side-by-side, launching their campaign on the vault and culminating on the floor exercise.

Elsewhere in the arena, World Gymnastics 2 (Russia) and Italy opened on the uneven bars, Japan and France took to the balance beam, and Brazil and Canada started on the floor. Here is how the high-stakes drama unfolded across Rotterdam.

Rotation One: U.S. Takes Early Lead

Starting off on vault, Team USA looked to capitalize on their trademark explosive power.

Charleigh Bullock set the tone for the Americans with a reliable Yurchenko double full, posting a crisp 14.133. The second gymnast up, Claire Pease, had a near-disastrous warm-up on her Cheng vault, leaving zero margin for error.

Rotation Two: U.S. Extends Lead

Aiming to create separation from the chasing pack, the U.S. rotation moved to the uneven bars.

Bullock once again led the charge for the Americans, executing a major improvement from the qualifying round by sticking her landing for a 14.000. Shortly after, fellow rookie Claire Pease delivered a second consecutive stuck dislanding, grabbing a 14.366.

Rotation Three: China Surges Ahead

Of all four rotations, the third phase proved to be the ultimate battleground for gold. Team China had previously demolished the field on the balance beam during qualifications, outscoring the Americans by more than 3.5 points.

Qinqin Ke opened the rotation for China with an exceptional 14.400, raising the pressure immensely on Team USA's Dulcy Caylor, who ultimately suffered a shocking fall on her dislanding to score 12.333.

Rotation Four: China, U.S., Japan Battle for Gold

Entering the final rotation, China held a two-point advantage over the Americans. Although the U.S. traditionally held the edge on floor exercise, overcoming the deficit would require absolute perfection.

Dulcy Caylor bounced back strongly to open the floor rotation with a massive 13.600. Despite valiant routines from the American lineup, a few late stumbles left the door open, allowing Qiyuan Qiu to secure the gold for China by the narrowest of margins.