Team USA's Leanne Wong Won Silver and Bronze at the World Championships — Get to Know Her
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On Oct. 21, Leanne Wong won all-around silver in her very first World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, and she scored just about three-tenths behind winner Angelina Melnikova from the Russian Gymnastics Federation. You can find a recap of that competition here, but know that the 18-year-old remained in second place after the second rotation, and she came to compete with strong routines.
Then, on Oct. 24, Wong earned a bronze medal for her performance in the world floor final. She qualified for the beam final that took place on Oct. 24 as well, but she finished in fourth.
Of her silver medal in the all-around, Wong told GymCastic post-competition that she was "super excited" since her goal was to win a world medal. She acted as an Olympic team alternate for the United States but was confined to a hotel room once deemed a close contact to another US alternate who'd tested positive for COVID-19. Her time in Tokyo, she said, made her determined to qualify for Worlds. "After getting quarantined, I definitely wanted to come and compete at a World Championships because I just didn't even get to practice or do anything last time in Tokyo, so I just wanted a better experience, and it's been a really fun experience."
In early November, Wong further told POPSUGAR that claiming her first world medal was the highlight of her trip to Kitakyushu, Japan, for the World Championships. Ahead, check out some fun facts about her. Next stop: NCAA gymnastics!
Leanne Wong Is a Fan of Her Most Recent "Ballerina-Type" Floor Routine
"I really love the music that [coach] Armine [Barutyan] has chosen, and the choreography that she put to it is really matched," Wong told International Gymnast Online in June. "I'm glad it's a very ballerina-type routine because it really fits my personality and the way I dance." The routine seen here is from the first day of competition at 2021 Nationals, where she placed third in this event. It's the same routine that she showcased at 2021 Worlds.
Leanne Wong Is a Freshman at the University of Florida
Wong will compete on the Florida Gators gymnastics team starting this 2022 season. Her athlete profile says she's majoring in social and behavioral sciences, but she told POPSUGAR that she hasn't declared a major yet and is on the pre-med track.
"I know it's going to be kind of hard because we compete every single week, but I think it'll be really fun just getting to compete all the time and traveling to different cities and just being with the team," Wong said of collegiate gymnastics.
As for her floor routine this upcoming NCAA season, Wong noted that she's still looking for music, though it will most likely be classical-themed since "that'll just be easier for me to learn the dance and just perform it well."
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Leanne Wong Represented Team USA at the 2019 Pan American Games
Wong got a silver medal for her bars performance at the Pan American Games, and she also earned team gold.
Leanne Wong Is One of Three Siblings
Wong, from Overland Park, KS, has two brothers. Her mom told local station KSHB 41 News that the youngest, Brenden, has learned a lot about gymnastics and even gives Wong pep talks before competitions.
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Leanne Wong Saw Much Success on the Junior Elite Level
Wong won the all-around competition at the 2017 Junior Olympic National Championships. After that, she qualified for junior elite, and she went on to, among other achievements, win the all-around at the 2018 GK US Classic and the 2018 US Gymnastics Championships (aka Nationals).
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Leanne Wong’s Favorite Quote Is "Train Insane or Remain the Same"
Wong actually has this quote in her Instagram bio, and she told POPSUGAR that she loved it ever since she saw it on one of her state championship shirts in the lower levels of gymnastics. "I just need to take a lot of hard work and 'training insane' to improve and progress in life," she said.
Her advice for younger gymnasts, too, is to stick to that hard work because it's worth it in the end. "All the years of preparation and training are just preparing you for your ultimate goal and what you want to do in the future," she said.
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Leanne Wong Was an Avid Piano Player
"I used to play piano up to the state level," Wong told POPSUGAR, noting that she quit when she qualified for elite gymnastics due to the amount of time she had to dedicate to the sport and schoolwork.
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Leanne Wong Likes to Cook and Bake
When Wong has the time, she told POPSUGAR she enjoys cooking and baking for her family. She'll whip up "simple meals" like vegetables, chicken, or salmon.
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Leanne Wong Isn't Ruling Out the Paris 2024 Olympics
When asked if she would consider doing international competitions in elite gymnastics during her time with the Florida Gators, Wong told POPSUGAR she hadn't put too much thought into that yet; however, "it's definitely in the back of my mind because I just need to figure out how everything works and the timing of all the meets."
When asked about a potential run for the 2024 Olympic artistic gymnastics team, Wong added, "I think it's a good long-term goal since it's a few years away, so I don't have to make any decisions right now."