She was fierce. Focused. Flying high after her strongest elite season yet, Zoey Molomo wasn’t just another name on the roster; she was an Olympic Trials qualifier and the newest gem in UCLA’s crown as they stepped into the Big 10 spotlight. The Texas native emerged as the Vault champion at the 2025 Winter Cup in Louisville and won the bronze medal in the balance beam event. But, no matter how fantastic your performances are, gymnastics is a sport where greatness is often measured in tenths of a point, and timing is everything. So one wrong landing can flip the script in seconds, and that is exactly what happened.
Molomo kept the momentum going, locking in her future with a full-ride commitment to UCLA just months later after sharing the stage with her idols at the Paris Olympic Trials. Yet that joy was short-lived when USA Gymnastics broke the news on X that Zoey Molomo’s season had come to a devastating halt due to injury, cutting short a campaign that had promised so much more.
The tweet read, “A message from @molomo_zoey .” A single screenshot followed. No highlight reel. No slow-motion dismount. Just words! Raw, honest, and from the heart. It was the kind of post no athlete ever wants to make, especially not in a season blooming with potential.” Hi guys! Just wanted to give you all a quick update. During practice, I had a bad landing on vault and unfortunately sustained a knee injury. This is absolutely heartbreaking and definitely not how I imagined my season ending—but I trust that God’s plan is greater than mine.” That’s the part that hit the hardest. This wasn’t just a physical setback. It was emotional whiplash.
a message from @molomo_zoey pic.twitter.com/OEBoSOY9ZN
— USA Gymnastics (@USAGym) April 12, 2025
Molomo knows this is nowhere close to being the end, but it is still an obstacle on her path to gymnastics greatness. “I’m staying strong, focusing on healing, and doing everything I can to be the best teammate for my girls. I’ll be back soon! Much love, Zomo. Even in pain, the Texan’s first priority? Camaraderie! It echoed what made her stand out in the first place. Yes, she had the scores, the skills, and the spotlight. But more than that, she had heart. And in a generation crowded with talent, heart is what separates icons from names on a list.
In the interview with Inside Gymnastics Magazine on March 6, 2025, Zoey spoke with a mixture of awe and gratitude about the experience of training alongside gymnastics royalty. “I was tearing up during my floor routine,” Zoey admitted, recalling the surreal moment when she shared the floor with legends who had shaped the sport. The 2024 U.S. Championships saw Simone Biles extend her historic reign with her ninth national title, a moment that further amplified the magnitude of what Zoey had achieved simply by being there. For a 16-year-old whose dreams were just starting to take shape, it was a reminder that her journey wasn’t just about competing; it was about learning and carving out her own place in history.
Zoey Molomo reflects on her dreams and the 2028 Olympics
At just 16 years old, Zoey Molomo has already experienced what most gymnasts only dream of. Training next to icons like Simone Biles, Suni Lee, and Jordan Chiles, Zoey recalls the unforgettable feeling of performing at the Olympic Trials. “Just being there, the whole crowd was clapping as I was going. It was so surreal. It was insane. I will never take that for granted. That was the most fun I’ve ever had. It was just awesome,” she said. Her journey at the Trials included a 12th-place finish in the All-Around and 8th place on the beam, earning an impressive All-Around score of 103.500, while Biles secured a staggering 117.225.
For Zoey, the experience of being surrounded by gymnasts she looks up to was more than just a competition. It was a sisterhood. “It felt like just everybody was so together. We all were doing it for each other. We were all doing it just to follow our dreams and just see what would happen,” she explained. From the iconic performances of Biles, who earned her ninth national title, to the fierce competition with Suni Lee and Jordan Chiles, the energy at Trials was nothing short of electric. Molomo’s connection with these stars went beyond gymnastics, with the likes of Jordan Chiles even offering her mentorship.
As Molomo embarks on her next chapter with UCLA Gymnastics, she reflects on a dream that has fueled her for years. “Ever since I was little, UCLA has been my dream,” she shared. Now, she’s joining the program at a time when the Bruins have made history by claiming the Big Ten conference title in their debut season. With the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics in her sights, Zoey’s determination is clearer than ever. Competing at the Winter Cup, she relished the chance to be back on the floor with friends and teammates, feeling a sense of pride in how far she’s come. But with eyes set firmly on the future, Zoey Molomo is poised to turn her dreams into reality.
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