Summer Olympics New Gymnastics Darling is New Jersey Native Hezly Rivera

A first time Olympian named Hezly Rivera will represent her home state of New Jersey when she visits Paris, France for the Summer Games later this month.

Who is Hezly Rivera?

Hezly Rivera is a 16-year-old gymnast. Like her predecessor Laurie Hernandez, women's gymnastics champion, Hezly’s a New Jersey native hailing from Oradell, Bergen County.

Rivera's a July 4th baby, born in 2008 in Hackensack, New Jersey.

She’s appeared in the world junior gymnastics championships, is the current reigning Junior World silver medalist on floor exercise, and just began her senior gymnastics career.

Currently, Rivera trains in Texas.

Hezly Rivera is the youngest member of the U.S. Women’s Gymnastics team this Olympics cycle. The height this girl gets over a balance beam is INSANE, so it's no surprise that during the Olympic trials, she scored first place on that apparatus. You can watch video of her routine below.

New Jersey Native Named to Women's Gymnastics Summer Olympics Team

Hezly FOUGHT, and HARD in her first ever attempt to earn a spot on the Women's Gymnastics Olympic Team for the upcoming Paris summer games.

Rivera's four teammates, Simone Biles, Jordan Chiles, Sunni Lee, and Jade Carey were all essentially shoe-ins to make the team. Forgone conclusions if you will. But that fifth spot was anyone's game and would go to a gymnast without previous Olympics experience.

During the Olympics trials over the weekend in Minnesota, Rivera had strong performances on beam and uneven bars, outscoring alternates Jocelyn Roberson and Leanne Wong to be able to compete in the Paris games.

But really, Hezly Rivera's got the kind of potential that could make her an all-around star.

Get our free mobile app

It'll be nice to have a New Jersey girl to root for. We’ll see how Hezly Rivera fairs during her first Olympics games later this month.

The Summer Olympics start in Paris July 27th and will be televised on NBC and its affiliate networks including the Peacock streaming service.

Want to know what other 2024 Summer Olympics athletes are from the Garden State? See below.