Alexa Moreno is back, and better than ever. The Mexican artistic gymnast, best known for winning a bronze medal on vault in 2018 and becoming the first Mexican woman to medal at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, scored another medal for her country.
Moreno, who returned to action after a self-imposed break due to injury won the gold medal in vault, as well as a bronze medal in floor during the 2023 Paris Challenge Cup.
She scored 14.075 in vault, which was enough to edge the Australian Georgia Godwin, who won silver with 13.850, and the French, Coline Devillard, who scored 13.800 for the bronze.
Moreno, who struggled with cyberbullying throughout her career is coming back with a new coach and a new attitude.
The Mexican gymnast, who finished fourth in vault – her specialty, during the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and is widely considered the best Mexican gymnast in history, just released a book “Singular y Extraordinaria” late last year and seems determined to continue making her mark in the sport.
Though the gymnast has not confirmed her participation, the next great hurdle seems clear: the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
For now, Moreno is preparing for the Pan American games, which will take place in Chile from October 20th to November 5th. She previously won three gold medals, a silver medal, and a bronze medal in the Central American and Caribbean games, which took place in San Salvador earlier this year.
Compared to someone like Simone Biles, who continues to break records all over, Moreno might not seem like a standout. But considering the challenges she’s had to face, and the level of institutional support for the sport in Mexico vs. the United States, Moreno’s accomplishments are not just very good, they are the type that will open the door for a generation of little girls who would have never dreamed they could do it otherwise.