Olympic gold medalist Jordan Chiles made a triumphant return to gymnastics this past weekend, showcasing her exceptional talent with a standout performance at the Best of the West Quad. Fresh off her third-place finish on “Dancing with the Stars,” Chiles took the spotlight for the UCLA Bruins, leading them to victory over Washington, No. 20 California, and No. 17 Oregon State.
Chiles dominated the competition, winning every individual event and claiming the all-around title with an impressive score of 39.725, which currently ranks her at the top nationally. The highlight of the day was her electrifying floor routine, which she debuted for the 2026 season. This performance, celebrated for its “passionate and confident” flair, featured a dynamic tribute to Black music legends, incorporating tracks from icons like Whitney Houston, Stevie Wonder, Janet Jackson, and Tina Turner. Chiles’ seamless blend of elite gymnastics with professional-level dance captivated the audience, quickly making the routine go viral on social media.
In addition to her floor routine, Chiles delivered remarkable performances in other events. She anchored the vault rotation with a complex Yurchenko double full and nearly stuck the landing, earning a score of 9.900. On the uneven bars, she maintained her status as the reigning NCAA champion, recording a 9.925 after sticking her double layout dismount. Perhaps her most impressive showing came on the balance beam, where she achieved a score of 9.975, including a perfect 10.0 from one judge.
UCLA head coach Janelle McDonald praised Chiles for her leadership and support for her teammates throughout the competition. “I was just so impressed with how she showed up today and how she was honestly so supportive of all of her teammates,” McDonald said.
With this strong performance, the Bruins have set the stage for an exciting matchup in the coming weekend. UCLA will head to West Valley City, Utah, for the Sprouts Farmers Market Collegiate Quad, a showdown that will see four of the nation’s top five teams face off, including the No. 1 ranked Oklahoma and No. 2 ranked LSU. The anticipation builds as Chiles and her teammates prepare for this critical early-season challenge.