BREAKING: Simone Biles no longer holds title as US gymnast earns youngest ever honor…..

On July 7, apparel giant GK Elite announced Rivera as its newest Signature Athlete-making her the youngest ever to receive the honor.

For reference, Simone Biles, Jordan Chiles, and Jade Carey all joined that club further along in their careers. Rivera, at just 17, is already there.

She celebrated the announcement with a heartfelt Instagram post: “From wearing GK as a little girl… to now having my own signature line. This isn’t just about leos. It’s about the little girl who wore GK to practice with dreams so big they felt impossible.”

The moment struck a chord across the gymnastics world-not just because of her age, but because of how quickly she’s carved out a name for herself. Rivera’s achievement marks a shift in how brands see the future of gymnastics.

GK Elite has long partnered with legends, but Rivera is ushering in the next generation-sooner than expected.

Fellow Olympian and mentor Jade Carey left supportive comments on her post, including “so proud of you .” LSU star Olivia Dunne added her own note of encouragement: “So proud of you Hez.” The connection runs deep-Rivera is an LSU commit for 2026 and has looked to Dunne as both a friend and inspiration.

And her journey? It started at a friend’s birthday party in a local gym. A coach noticed her potential, suggested she try the sport, and her parents signed her up. The rest is rapidly becoming history.