US elite comebacks in 2026

[RedBirdie]

There's a lot going on, so I'm starting a thread to contain all the US elite comebacks.

Jade Carey announced she would return to elite competition at the American Classic.

Azaraya Ra-Akbar successfully qualified elite at the Fuzion Elite Qualifier this weekend. She previously competed int he US as a junior, then switched to Canada (but only competed domestically, iirc), and has now qualified elite in the US again.

Amari Celestine qualified on vault, beam, and floor. She can try to qualify on bars at the final qualifier June 12-14. Her club is listed as Ascend.

 

[MaryClare]

Even though her FIG licence has lapsed, if Azaraya wants to represent the US, she’ll need to reapply to switch countries at least 3 years from when the initial switch was granted. With the usual rules about if a country agrees to release, the switch is instant, if not it’s a 1 year wait

Until then, I’d imagine that all the rules regarding overseas gymnasts competing at USAG events would apply here . But perhaps not since she is a US citizen

 

[RedBirdie]

I have no idea what's going on there. Her switch to Canada wasn't official until November 2023, which is still inside that 3 year window.

I've always been a little confused about the move to Canada in the first place and all the gym-hopping she did there (which I think was maybe tied to her father, who was (is?) also her coach). To come back and go the US route again just has me even more confused.

 

[ArnoldRimmer]

I'm not very familiar with Azaraya's work. Is she someone who could realistically make a US team?

 

[MaryClare]

I have no idea what's going on there. Her switch to Canada wasn't official until November 2023, which is still inside that 3 year window.

I've always been a little confused about the move to Canada in the first place and all the gym-hopping she did there (which I think was maybe tied to her father, who was (is?) also her coach). To come back and go the US route again just has me even more confused.

If it was November 2023, she can apply to switch back to the US in November this year

 

[RedBirdie]

I'm not very familiar with Azaraya's work. Is she someone who could realistically make a US team?

She was an okay US junior. Finished 10th AA at nationals in 2021, 5th AA at 2022 Winter Cup, then disappeared before turning up in Canada in 2023 as a senior. Competed occasionally at domestic Canadian meets, she was constantly injured.

She went to Alabama last fall, had a very successful first NCAA year. She got her US senior elite score over the weekend, but just barely. I've only found the full scores, not D/E breakdown, and no videos as far as I know.
VT: 13.75
UB: 12.70
BB: 11.4
FX: 12.75
AA: 50.60

So I don't think she can realistically make a US team at the moment. But who knows, given the way US gymnasts drop like flies the closer we get to major competitions. (if she's even eligible)