China end 20-year wait for world team gold as USA streak stops

China won their second women's world team gymnastics title in Rotterdam on Wednesday, ending a 20-year wait for gold and stopping the United States' run of seven consecutive world team victories.

The Chinese team finished on 165.764 points, just 0.233 ahead of the Americans on 165.531. Japan took bronze with 164.063. All three medal-winning countries secured places for full women's teams at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympics.

The final changed direction on balance beam. The USA had built a 1.967-point advantage after vault and uneven bars, but China's third rotation turned that deficit into a lead of 2.200 heading to floor exercise, the last apparatus.

Zhang Qingying delivered the highest beam score of the final, 15.066, supported by Ke Qinqin's 14.400 and Qiu Qiyuan's 13.900. Their combined 43.366 contrasted with the Americans' 39.199, with Dulcy Caylor falling on her dismount as the defending champions lost ground.

The USA responded with the highest floor total, 40.933, led by Claire Pease's 13.933. China scored 38.966 on floor, with Qiu closing the contest on 12.833 to preserve the narrow winning margin. The Americans recovered most of their deficit but could not reclaim first place.

China's previous world team gold came in 2006. Their victory ended an American sequence stretching back to 2011 and brought a second title to a team that had also led qualification in Rotterdam.

Japan's bronze ended a world team medal wait dating to 1966. Haruka Nakamura contributed 14.133 on beam and 13.966 on uneven bars as the Japanese moved up from fifth in qualification to the podium.

France finished fourth on 161.130, followed by Brazil, the Russian team competing as World Gymnastics 2, Italy and Canada.

Sources

• China win team gold — World Gymnastics (2026-10-21)
• China edge USA — International Gymnast (2026-10-21)
• China reclaim world title — Xinhua (2026-10-22)
• Official team final results — World Gymnastics (2026-10-21)