China Wins Women’s Team Gold at World Gymnastics Championships, Ending U.S. Seven-Title Streak

China’s women’s artistic gymnastics team captured the women’s team title at the 2026 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Rotterdam, the Netherlands, on October 21 local time, defeating the United States by just 0.233 points. China finished with 165.764 points, while the U.S. took silver with 165.531. Japan claimed bronze with 164.063.

The victory marked China’s first women’s team world championship title since 2006 and ended the United States’ run of seven consecutive world team titles dating back to 2011. It was a significant achievement for the Chinese team, which combined strong performances on key apparatus with composure under pressure.

China’s lineup featured Du Siyu, Ke Qinqin, Zhang Qingying, Qiu Qiyuan and Zhang Yihan. The final followed the five-three-three format, with five gymnasts on each team and three competing on each apparatus. All three scores counted toward the team total, making consistency and execution crucial throughout the competition.

The United States took the early advantage after the vault and uneven bars rotations. China scored 40.966 on vault and 42.466 on uneven bars, compared with the Americans’ 42.633 and 42.766. At the halfway point, China trailed by 1.967 points, leaving the team facing a difficult challenge.

The balance beam proved decisive. Zhang Qingying delivered an outstanding routine worth 15.066 points, the highest beam score of the final. Teammates Ke Qinqin and Qiu Qiyuan added 14.400 and 13.900, respectively. The U.S. team suffered a costly dismount error, allowing China to take the lead and build a 2.200-point advantage heading into the final rotation.

The Americans mounted a strong challenge on floor exercise, but China held firm. Qiu Qiyuan scored 12.833 in the final routine, helping secure a total of 165.764 points. The narrow margin underscored how closely matched the two teams were and how important every routine proved to be.

For China, the result represents a return to the top of the world championships podium after two decades. The title reflects years of preparation and the team’s ability to perform consistently in a high-pressure final. Its performance on balance beam was particularly important in reversing the early deficit, while the team’s composure in the final rotation ensured the lead held.

The result also secured China, the United States and Japan places in the women’s team competition at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, under the qualification rules for the championships.

China’s victory is a major milestone, but the close scoreline highlights the strength of international women’s gymnastics. As the Olympic cycle progresses, maintaining execution quality, strengthening performances across all four apparatus and reproducing this level of consistency will be key challenges for the Chinese team.