Olympic Bronze Medalist Asher Hong Absent from Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships

The upcoming Xfinity U.S. Gymnastics Championships will proceed without its reigning all-around champion, as Asher Hong is not listed among the registered competitors. Hong, who secured the Olympic team bronze medal, won the national all-around title in 2025 and dominated last year’s event with a record victory margin of 7.465 points. His absence was confirmed after he did not appear on the published participant list.

The event serves as a major showcase for the sport, broadcast across platforms operated by Comcast Corporation. While Comcast shares were trading up 2.68% today, the network’s coverage of elite gymnastics remains a key component of its sports programming strategy. The competition will feature live broadcasts on NBC Sports and Peacock.

Hong’s history with injuries dates back to last October’s World Championships, where an ankle sustained during a floor exercise warm-up forced him to withdraw. He returned to competition earlier this year for his senior season at Stanford, contributing to the Cardinal’s third NCAA men’s team title in four years. No official reason has been publicly announced for his withdrawal from this week’s national competition.

The field faces further depletion as Brody Malone, a fellow 2024 Olympic bronze medalist and three-time U.S. all-around champion, is also skipping the event. Malone is reportedly taking a hiatus from competition with plans to return in 2027. Together, Hong and Malone have claimed the last five national all-around titles. With the top favorites sidelined, the competition opens up for returning champion Yul Moldauer, the 2017 title winner, and 2024 Olympic Trials winner Frederick Richard.

What to watch

• Viewer engagement metrics for the NBC Sports and Peacock broadcast given the absence of headlining stars.
• Any official statements regarding Hong’s status for future international competitions.
• The emergence of new contenders in the all-around field during the event in Phoenix.

Source: original release