GymCastic: The Gymnastics Podcast

How "Russia" reclaimed its title to become European champion. We break down Angelina Melnikova's return, the Russian visa drama, Sabrina Voinea's D-score inquiry saga, a controversial beam-final robbery and what these results mean for the upcoming World Championships.
GYMCASTIC LIVE REPLAY
Watch our U.S. Championships live show with surprise guest Shannon Miller. Replay tickets:
https://gymcastic.com/gymcastic-live-at-the-2026-u-s-championships/
HEADLINES
Team "World Gymnastics 2," aka Russia, topped the medal table with six medals. Angelina Melnikova led the team with three golds in the team, all-around and vault competitions, plus bronze medals on beam and floor.
Italy finished second in the medal standings, led by European floor champion Manila Esposito. France placed third, with first-year senior Elena Colas winning beam gold and finishing second in the individual medal count.
We discuss:
Sabrina Voinea's latest D-score inquiry saga and how an inquiry dropped her beam score by three tenths, knocking her out of the final

Russia's triumphant return and what its team score could foreshadow for Worlds

Melnikova's five-medal performance and how her all-around score compares internationally

Elena Colas' breakout senior European Championships

Why holding apparatus finals before the team final produced mixed results

Why Pauline Schäfer-Betz was robbed of a beam medal

Great Britain missing the medals after Becky Downie was replaced by Ruby Evans in the team-final bars lineup

Memorable skills from Estella Volkoff, Morgane Osyssek and Schäfer-Betz

Event-final victories for Melnikova, Helen Kevric, Colas and Esposito

The teams and individuals who qualified for the 2026 World Championships

CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
00:36 Sabrina Voinea's inquiry saga
04:03 U.S. national team and vault clarifications
06:33 European Championships medal table
13:48 Angelina Melnikova and Elena Colas
21:31 GymCastic updates and Club Gym Nerd
25:01 Pauline Schäfer-Betz beam robbery
30:43 Manila Esposito
33:04 Unique beam mounts and skills
35:46 Helen Kevric and the bars final
38:09 Apparatus finals before the team final?
40:19 Huel
41:37 Competition-format discussion continues
50:47 Team final: Russia, Italy and France
57:13 All-around results and Worlds comparisons
59:12 Vault final
1:04:02 Bars final
1:05:45 Beam and floor finals
1:10:32 World Championships qualifiers
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LINKS
European Championships results:
https://results.smartscoring.com/live-results/7bbd2dc9-ea89-49c4-84a2-5009458acca0/live
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We're back from the 2026 U.S. Gymnastics Championships! Hezly Rivera is a two-time national all-around champion, Fred Richard won the men's title, the U.S. men's World Championships team is set, and we have plenty to say about the women's road to Worlds and those domestic execution scores.
Plus, Shannon Miller surprised us at our Phoenix live show, Euros began with breaking news, and Suni Lee, Shilese Jones and Jordan Chiles all have comeback updates.
LIVE SHOW REPLAY
Missed our U.S. Championships live show with a surprise appearance from Shannon Miller? Get live show replay tickets.
IN THIS EPISODE
Hezly Rivera wins her second consecutive U.S. all-around title.
Claire Pease takes silver and Charleigh Bullock bronze after both go 8-for-8.
Event champions: Jade Carey (vault), Claire Pease (bars), Hezly Rivera (beam) and Reese Esponda (floor).
We revisit Chellsie Memmel's comments about realistic domestic scoring.
Thirteen senior women are named to the national team and we break down the Worlds selection procedure.
The U.S. men's World team is Richard, Wiskus, Leykin, Nelson and Hoopes, with Moldauer as traveling alternate and Kim as non-traveling alternate.
Fred Richard's pajama deduction, Salute-Gate and the comeback status of Suni Lee, Shilese Jones and Jordan Chiles.
CHAPTERS
00:00 – Breaking Euros News & U.S. Champs Recap
05:11 – Live Show Replay: Shannon Miller & Fiesty Judges
07:41 – Hezly Rivera Wins U.S. Title
14:26 – Event Champions: Carey, Pease, Rivera & Esponda
21:34 – National Team & Who's Moving Forward
24:21 – Women's Worlds Selection
26:39 – Men's World Team & Salute-Gate
30:25 – Suni Lee, Shilese Jones & Jordan Chiles
RELATED: 
All podcasts and photo galleries from 2026 Championships here
European Championships Results
148: Shannon Miller
Shannon discusses It's Not About Perfect, her career, compulsories, coaching, cancer and life after gymnastics.
168: Shannon Miller, Belarusgate, NED vs GB
Shannon returns to discuss body commentary, adult gymnastics, Worlds, Chusovitina and more.
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The men's national champion has been crowned and more from women's at the 2026 U.S. Championships! This is our live post-meetQ&A show. Here's how to ask questions live. Can't make it live? Add Club bonus episodes to your favorite podcast player (instructions here) Join Club Gym Nerd for the ad-free extended episode, live Q&A and complete members-only archive.
GYMCASTIC LIVE AT U.S. CHAMPIONSHIPS
GET IN-PERSON OR VIRTUAL LIVE-SHOW TICKETS
WHEN: Sunday, August 9 after the Senior Women's Final podium ceremony at approximately 6:00 p.m.
WHERE: Stream it online or join us in person at the Residence Inn by Marriott Phoenix Downtown, directly across the street from the arena.
WHAT: It's the post-meet debrief -enjoy a cash bar/snacks and games while Jessica and Spencer will discuss the meet immediately after it happens, and you never know who will appear at a GymCastic live show.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m, show at approximately 6:00 p.m. In-person and virtual tickets are available. A limited-time replay will be available to virtual ticket holders.GET IN-PERSON OR VIRTUAL U.S. CHAMPIONSHIPS LIVE-SHOW TICKETS
CHAPTERS
 
Members Only begins Not a member? Join here.
HOW TO FOLLOW U.S. CHAMPIONSHIPS
SATURDAY, AUGUST 8 — MEN'S DAY TWO
10:30 a.m. — Junior Men on USAG YouTube
4:30 p.m. — Senior Men on Peacock/NBC ; outside the U.S. on USAG YouTube
PODCAST ~8:00 p.m. — Senior Men's Final Meet Report
SUNDAY, AUGUST 9 — WOMEN'S DAY TWO
10:00 a.m. — Junior Women on USAG YouTube
3:00 p.m. — Senior Women on Peacock / NBC; outside the U.S. on USAG YouTube
LIVE SHOW ~6:00 p.m. — get tickets now GymCastic Live: Senior Women's Final
Build your U.S. Championships team at GymCastic Fantasy League. 
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Club Gym Nerd: Ad-free podcasts, weekly live Q&A episodes, bonus content, complete archive, games, scoring tools, VIP forum and live-show discounts
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The scoes were crazy during women'sn day one at the 2026 U.S. Championships! This is our live post-meetQ&A show. Here's how to ask questions live. Can't make it live? Add Club bonus episodes to your favorite podcast player (instructions here) Join Club Gym Nerd for the ad-free extended episode, live Q&A and complete members-only archive.
GYMCASTIC LIVE AT U.S. CHAMPIONSHIPS
GET IN-PERSON OR VIRTUAL LIVE-SHOW TICKETS
WHEN: Sunday, August 9 after the Senior Women's Final podium ceremony at approximately 6:00 p.m.
WHERE: Stream it online or join us in person at the Residence Inn by Marriott Phoenix Downtown, directly across the street from the arena.
WHAT: It's the post-meet debrief -enjoy a cash bar/snacks and games while Jessica and Spencer will discuss the meet immediately after it happens, and you never know who will appear at a GymCastic live show.

Doors open at 5:30 p.m, show at approximately 6:00 p.m. In-person and virtual tickets are available. A limited-time replay will be available to virtual ticket holders.GET IN-PERSON OR VIRTUAL U.S. CHAMPIONSHIPS LIVE-SHOW TICKETS
CHAPTERS
00:00 – Women's Day One: Skye Blakely & Claire Pease Lead
03:00 – Judging Problems, Fred Richard & Salute-Gate
07:42 – WAG Scoring: Hezly Rivera, Reese Esponda & Vault Scores
09:28 – Chellsie Memmel on Judging Accuracy & Realistic Scores
12:14 – Dulcy Caylor, Charleigh Bullock & Skye Blakely
Members Only begins Not a member? Join here.
18:26 – Coach Goes Off About Men's Judging
24:39 – Claire Pease, Worlds Team Math & Reese Esponda
31:05 – The Great 14.2 Vault Scoring Debate
36:14 – Jayla Hang's Return & Championships Observations
44:21 – Juniors, Vivi Crain & Athlete Safety
48:25 – Listener Questions: Vaults, Caroline Moreau & Elite Season
58:00 – Jade Carey's Competitive Drive & Oklahoma Men
HOW TO FOLLOW U.S. CHAMPIONSHIPS
FRIDAY, AUGUST 7 — WOMEN'S DAY ONE
Noon — Junior Women on USAG YouTube
7:00 p.m. — Senior Women on Peacock/NBC ; outside the U.S. on USAG YouTube
PODCAST ~10:00 p.m. — Senior Women's Day One Meet Report
SATURDAY, AUGUST 8 — MEN'S DAY TWO
10:30 a.m. — Junior Men on USAG YouTube
4:30 p.m. — Senior Men on Peacock/NBC ; outside the U.S. on USAG YouTube
PODCAST ~8:00 p.m. — Senior Men's Final Meet Report
SUNDAY, AUGUST 9 — WOMEN'S DAY TWO
10:00 a.m. — Junior Women on USAG YouTube
3:00 p.m. — Senior Women on Peacock / NBC; outside the U.S. on USAG YouTube
LIVE SHOW ~6:00 p.m. — get tickets now GymCastic Live: Senior Women's Final
Build your U.S. Championships team at GymCastic Fantasy League. 
SUPPORT OUR WORK
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It's elite national championships week. Let's break it down. Join Club Gym Nerd for the ad-free extended episode, live Q&A podcasts all week and complete members-only archive.
GET IN-PERSON OR VIRTUAL U.S. CHAMPIONSHIPS LIVE-SHOW TICKETS
HOW TO FOLLOW U.S. CHAMPIONSHIPS
Times are Phoenix local time/Pacific. Podcast times are estimates.
WEDNESDAY, AUGUST 5 — PODIUM TRAINING
Watch on FlipNow.TV; outside the U.S. on USAG YouTube.
9:00–11:00 a.m. — Junior Men
11:30 a.m.–2:00 p.m. — Senior Men
2:30–5:00 p.m. — Junior Women
5:00–7:30 p.m. — Senior Women
PODCAST ~8:30 p.m. — Senior Women's Podium Training Report
THURSDAY, AUGUST 6 — MEN'S DAY ONE
1:00 p.m. — Junior Men on USAG YouTube
7:00 p.m. — Senior Men on Peacock /NBC; outside the U.S. on USAG YouTube
FRIDAY, AUGUST 7 — WOMEN'S DAY ONE
Noon — Junior Women on USAG YouTube
7:00 p.m. — Senior Women on Peacock/NBC ; outside the U.S. on USAG YouTube
PODCAST ~10:00 p.m. — Senior Women's Day One Meet Report
SATURDAY, AUGUST 8 — MEN'S DAY TWO
10:30 a.m. — Junior Men on USAG YouTube
4:30 p.m. — Senior Men on Peacock/NBC ; outside the U.S. on USAG YouTube
PODCAST ~8:00 p.m. — Senior Men's Final Meet Report
SUNDAY, AUGUST 9 — WOMEN'S DAY TWO
10:00 a.m. — Junior Women on USAG YouTube
3:00 p.m. — Senior Women on Peacock / NBC; outside the U.S. on USAG YouTube
LIVE SHOW ~6:00 p.m. — get tickets now GymCastic Live: Senior Women's Final
PLAY THE FANTASY GAME
Build your U.S. Championships team at GymCastic Fantasy League. Use the Elite Score Explorer to compare gymnasts and choose your lineup.
SUPPORT OUR WORK
Club Gym Nerd: Ad-free podcasts, weekly live Q&A episodes, bonus content, complete archive, games, scoring tools, VIP forum and live-show discounts
Shop GymCastic
Limited Time Offer – Make healthy eating simple. Get Huel today with my exclusive offer of 15% OFF online with our code GYMCASTIC at huel.com/GYMCASTIC. New Customers Only. Thank you to Huel for partnering and supporting our show!
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Cover art and photographs © GymCastic / Steve Cooper. All rights reserved.