Hezly Rivera is a 17-year-old American artistic gymnast and elite athlete who has rapidly become a standout figure in gymnastics.
Rivera rose to international fame as the youngest member of the U.S. women’s gymnastics team that won gold at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games.
Her impressive achievements include winning the all-around title at the 2023 Winter Cup and earning medals at the Junior World Championships.
Who is Hezly Rivera?
Hezly Rivera is a rising star in American gymnastics. She gained attention as the youngest member of the U.S. team at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Although she did not compete in the finals, her performances helped the team secure the gold medal.
Her gymnastics journey began at age five when she attended a friend’s birthday party at a gymnastics gym. Her natural talent was clear from the start, and she soon began formal training.
Rivera initially trained at ENA Gymnastics in New Jersey under coach Craig Zappa. She quickly advanced through the levels due to her skill and dedication.
In 2020, her family moved to Plano, Texas, so she could train at the World Olympic Gymnastics Academy (WOGA).
This gym is well-known for developing Olympic champions, and Rivera trains under Valeri and Anna Liukin.
During her junior career, Rivera earned several medals at national competitions. She excels particularly on the balance beam and floor exercise, where her routines show strength and precision.
Since stepping up to senior competition in 2024, Rivera has continued to impress. Her talent and hard work make her one of the most promising young gymnasts in the U.S. program.
Early Life of Hezly Rivera
Hezly Esther Rivera was born on June 4, 2008, in Hackensack, New Jersey, and raised in the nearby town of Oradell.
She is an American citizen with Latina heritage, proudly connected to her Dominican roots through both of her parents.
Her cultural background plays an important role in her identity, especially as she rises in the world of gymnastics. Hezly parents are Heidy Ruiz and Henry Rivera.
Her mother, Heidy, immigrated to the United States from the Dominican Republic. She has been a steady and loving supporter of Hezly’s athletic dreams. Her father, Henry, also from Santo Domingo, moved to the U.S. as a teenager.
He attended Union Hill High School in New Jersey and later graduated from the Stevens Institute of Technology with a degree in computer engineering in 2002.
Henry has been a central figure in Hezly’s life her guide, motivator, and emotional anchor.
She often refers to him as her “hero” and someone she can always talk to. For her education, Hezly attends an online high school, which gives her the flexibility to train and travel without missing her academic work.
This setup has allowed her to focus on gymnastics while continuing her studies at home. In 2022, her family moved to Plano, Texas, so Hezly could train at WOGA Gymnastics, one of the most respected gyms in the country.
This big decision reflected her family’s dedication to her future, and it marked the beginning of a new chapter in her journey as a world-class gymnast.
Does Hezly Rivera have Siblings?
Yes, Hezly Rivera has two siblings. She is the middle child in her family, with one older sister and one younger brother. Her sister’s name is Carhelis, and her brother’s name is Hanly.
Hezly shares a close bond with her siblings. Growing up together in New Jersey, they supported one another while being raised in a loving, tight-knit household.
Her siblings have been part of her journey, cheering her on as she pursued her gymnastics dreams.
Even as her gymnastics career became more demanding, Hezly’s connection with her sister and brother remained strong.
While she moved to Texas for training, her family’s support including from her siblings continued to play a big role in her motivation and success.
Is Hezly Rivera Hispanic?
Yes, Hezly Rivera is Hispanic. She is of Dominican descent through both of her parents, Heidy Ruiz and Henry Rivera, who immigrated from the Dominican Republic to the United States.
Her cultural heritage is a significant part of her identity, and she has proudly spoken about representing the Latina and Hispanic community on the world stage, especially as an Olympic gymnast.
Hezly has said she hopes to inspire other young Latinas to follow their dreams, and she embraces her background as a source of pride and motivation.
Is Hezly Rivera Latina?
Yes, Hezly Rivera is Latina. She comes from a Dominican background, as both of her parents are originally from the Dominican Republic. Although she was born in the United States, she proudly identifies with her Latina heritage.
Hezly has spoken openly about how important it is for her to represent the Latina community, especially in gymnastics. She wants young Latinas to see her and feel inspired to follow their own dreams.
Hezly Rivera Age
Hezly Rivera is 17 years old as of 2025 because she came into the world on June 4, 2008, in Hackensack, New Jersey. According to her birthday, she falls under the Gemini zodiac sign.
At the age of 5, in 2013, Hezly Rivera began gymnastics after a coach spotted her talent at a birthday party and encouraged her parents to enroll her in classes.
Early Beginnings and Junior Career
Hezly Rivera’s journey in gymnastics began at the age of five in 2013, after attending a friend’s birthday party held at a gymnastics facility.
Her natural talent was quickly recognized by coaches, and she began formal training at ENA Gymnastics in Paramus, New Jersey, under coach Craig Zappa.
Early on, Rivera showcased a strong affinity for powerful and dynamic skills, especially on vault and floor exercise.
As she progressed through the junior ranks, Rivera steadily climbed the competitive ladder within USA Gymnastics.
She competed in various junior elite competitions. Her skills improved steadily on vault, uneven bars, balance beam, and floor exercise.
Her strong performances caught the attention of national team coordinators, setting the stage for her rise in the sport.
Breakthrough at Junior Level
In 2022, Rivera made a significant impact at the Winter Cup by finishing third in the all-around competition.
That same year, she contributed to Team USA’s gold medal win at the DTB Pokal Team Challenge in Germany.
She further proved her competitive prowess at the U.S. Classic, earning a silver medal in the all-around and a gold medal on balance beam.
Her breakthrough moment came in 2023 at the Winter Cup, where Rivera dominated by winning the all-around title as well as gold medals on balance beam and floor exercise.
These achievements earned her a coveted spot on the U.S. team for the 2023 Junior World Championships.
At Junior Worlds, Rivera played a key role in helping the U.S. secure the silver medal in the team event and won an individual silver on floor exercise.
Despite a setback on vault during qualifications, where a slip prevented her from advancing to the all-around final, her strong showing on other events cemented her status as a top junior gymnast.
Transition to Senior Level and International Debut
Turning 15 in 2024 made Rivera age-eligible for senior competition, marking an important transition in her career.
She made her senior debut at the 2024 Winter Cup, placing third in the all-around and tying for first on balance beam.
Her senior international debut came at the City of Jesolo Trophy in Italy, where she contributed to the U.S. team’s bronze medal finish.
At the 2024 National Championships, Rivera finished sixth in the all-around, securing her place at the Olympic Trials.
There, she impressed by placing fifth in the all-around, tying for first on balance beam, and placing well on uneven bars and floor exercise.
Her performance earned her selection to the U.S. Olympic team for the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris.
Olympic Success and Beyond
At the 2024 Paris Olympics, Rivera was the youngest athlete on the entire U.S. delegation. During qualifications, she competed on uneven bars and balance beam.
Though she did not compete in the team final, she earned a gold medal as part of the historic U.S. women’s gymnastics team, nicknamed the Golden Girls. Following the Olympics, Rivera joined the Gold Over America Tour.
In 2025, Rivera continued her career by competing at the Winter Cup and being selected for the Pan American Championships, where she represents Team USA alongside other top gymnasts.
Hezly Rivera Achievements
Hezly Rivera achievements are listed below:
- 2023 Winter Cup: Junior All-Around Champion
- 2023 Winter Cup: Gold on Balance Beam and Floor Exercise
- 2023 Junior World Championships: Team Silver Medal
- 2023 Junior World Championships: Individual Silver on Floor Exercise
- 2024 Winter Cup: Bronze in All-Around
- 2024 Winter Cup: Gold on Balance Beam
- 2024 U.S. Classic: Tied for First on Balance Beam
- 2024 National Championships: Sixth Place All-Around
- 2024 Olympic Trials: Selected for U.S. Olympic Team
- 2024 Paris Olympics: Gold Medal with U.S. Women’s Gymnastics Team
- 2025 Pan American Championships: Team Member
Where does Hezly Rivera Train?
Hezly Rivera trains at WOGA Gymnastics in Plano, Texas, a world-renowned training center known for producing elite gymnasts. Her family moved to Plano in 2021 to give her access to top-level coaching and facilities.
WOGA, co-founded by Olympic champion Valeri Liukin and his wife Anna Liukin, has a strong history of developing Olympic athletes like Nastia Liukin and Gabby Douglas.
The gym features state-of-the-art equipment and training spaces designed to support both recreational and elite gymnasts, including in-ground pits and specialized apparatuses.
Under the expert guidance of Valeri and Anna Liukin, Hezly has rapidly advanced her skills and become one of the most promising young gymnasts in the U.S. The high-quality coaching at WOGA played a key role in her development.
The supportive environment helped her prepare for top events like the 2024 Paris Olympics. Rivera’s time at WOGA has been crucial in her journey from a talented junior gymnast to an Olympic gold medalist and rising star on the U.S. national team.
Why was Hezly Rivera Removed?
Hezly Rivera did not compete in the U.S. women’s gymnastics team final at the 2024 Paris Olympics because of her scores during the qualification rounds.
She competed on the uneven bars and balance beam, scoring 13.900 and 12.633, respectively.
These scores placed her outside the range needed to qualify for the team final events. Despite not competing in the final, Rivera was still an important part of the gold medal-winning U.S. gymnastics team.
The decision to exclude her from the final lineup was described as incredibly difficult by the team’s technical lead, Chellsie Memmel, who praised her as an amazing gymnast.
Rivera’s contributions during qualifications helped the team secure their victory. Even though she didn’t perform in the final, her efforts during earlier rounds were vital to the overall team success.
As the youngest member of the U.S. delegation, this Olympic experience was a major milestone for Rivera.
She earned a gold medal as part of the team and gained valuable experience that will help her future competitions.
What Gym did Hezly Rivera go to?
Hezly Rivera started her gymnastics training at ENA Gymnastics in Paramus, New Jersey, where she was coached by Craig Zappa. From a young age, she showed great talent.
She quickly advanced through the levels toward the elite ranks. In 2020, Hezly and her family moved to Plano, Texas, so she could train at the World Olympic Gymnastics Academy (WOGA).
At WOGA, under the expert coaching of Valeri and Anna Liukin, she has continued to grow and improve.
This gym is famous for training Olympic champions Nastia Liukin and Carly Patterson. It is a top training place for elite gymnasts like Hezly.
Hezly Rivera Height and Weight
Hezly Rivera stands around 5 feet 2 inches which is equal to 157 centimeters or 1.57 meters tall, a stature that perfectly balances strength and agility key qualities for an elite gymnast.
According to her official FIG Athlete Profile, she weighs 38.166 kilograms or 84.13 pounds, which showcases her lean and powerful physique.
This combination of height and weight enables her to perform difficult routines with precision and control.
Hezly Rivera Net Worth
Hezly Rivera has an estimated net worth of $2 million as of 2025. She earns money primarily through her gymnastics career, including prize winnings from competitions and sponsorship deals.
Being part of the U.S. national gymnastics team has helped her gain visibility and attract endorsements from sports brands and other companies. Besides gymnastics, Hezly has built a strong presence on social media platforms like Instagram.
There, she shares lifestyle, fashion, and beauty content, which has led to paid brand collaborations and sponsored posts. This helps supplement her income and grow her influence beyond sports.
Hezly Rivera Boyfriend
Hezly Rivera seems to be single as of 2025, however, she has not revealed any details about her relationship status. She keeps her personal life private and focuses mainly on her gymnastics career.
Her social media mainly highlights her training and competitions, with no mention of a boyfriend. Since she is still young and dedicated to her sport, her main priority is gymnastics.
Social Media Appearance
Hezly Rivera is active on social media, especially on Instagram and X, where she shares updates about her training, competitions, and glimpses of her personal life.
Her content reflects her dedication to gymnastics as well as her personality. She works with a talent agency that helps manage her online presence and connect with fans.
Final Line
Finally, Hezly Rivera is quickly becoming a big name in U.S. gymnastics because of her hard work and skill. She won a gold medal with her team at the 2024 Paris Olympics and is proud to represent her Latina roots.
Besides gymnastics, she is also growing her presence online and in business. With her drive and talent, she has a bright future ahead both in the sport and beyond.
Thank you for taking the time to read about this inspiring story. We’d love to hear your thoughts, so feel free to share your feedback in the comments below!
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