Angelina Melnikova Triumphs Over Leanne Wong to Capture World All-Around Gymnastics Championship

Angelina Melnikova, a neutral athlete from Russia, narrowly defeated Leanne Wong of the USA to win the world all-around gymnastics title. She claimed victory by just 0.1 points, scoring 55.066 compared to Wong’s 54.966.

Going into the last round, Melnikova was in third place but only 0.133 points out of first. Her performance on the floor exercise was impressive, earning her a score of 13.466, which was 0.366 points better than her qualification round. Remarkably, Melnikova received only a one-tenth penalty for stepping out of bounds once, instead of the potential three-tenth penalty, showing her resilience after a fall on balance beam earlier.

This win marks Melnikova’s second world title, having also triumphed in 2021. The close margin is the smallest in all-around results since American Morgan Hurd won in 2017 by the same tenths. Wong’s journey to silver adds to the U.S. women’s streak of reaching the all-around podium at every global championship since 2003.

Wong’s performance was thrilling. From fourth place going into her final routine and trailing by 1.1 points, she executed a challenging Cheng vault. This strategic choice showcased her skills, as a less difficult vault could have hindered her chances of beating Melnikova.

While Melnikova celebrated, the absence of key U.S. gymnasts like Simone Biles and Suni Lee due to their breaks raised concerns about the American team’s competitiveness. The weight of expectations fell on newer talents, such as Dulcy Caylor, who struggled with falls during her routine.

A striking data point highlights how vital these competitions are for building future stars. A recent study found that 78% of young gymnasts credit their role models for their motivation to compete, emphasizing the importance of visibility and success in this sport.

The 2025 World Gymnastics Championships in Jakarta continues with more events, where new talents will hopefully rise to challenge seasoned competitors. The evolution of gymnastics draws interest not only in their performances but also in the emotional journeys that athletes endure.

The results of the women’s all-around competition at the 2025 World Championships are:

• Gold: Angelina Melnikova (AIN) – 55.066
• Silver: Leanne Wong (USA) – 54.966
• Bronze: Zhang Qingying (CHN) – 54.633
• 4. Kaylia Nemour (ALG) – 54.564

The gymnastics world continues to evolve, with new athletes emerging and past champions inspiring the next generation. It’s a fascinating time to watch gymnastics unfold.

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