Leyva withdraws from World Team

Aug 19, 2013 by Jennifer Teitell

Danell Leyva of Miami/Team Hilton HHonors (Universal Gymnastics), has withdrawn from the 2013 Men’s World Championships Team, which was named yesterday following the conclusion of the 2013 P&G Gymnastics Championships.

Leyva, who is recovering from a shoulder injury and has not been able to fully train, stated in his withdrawal letter, “I very much appreciate the opportunity to be, once again, part of the team that will go onto the world stage and represent the United States in the great sport that is gymnastics. Unfortunately, I have to decline. … We have decided that the right decision for me, to better help the team in the future, is to retract from this competition so that I can heal further and reach my full potential yet again.”

“We appreciate Danell’s letting us know in a timely manner and his concern for the needs of the team,” said Dennis McIntyre, director of men’s program. “We respect his decision to focus on the long-term and look forward to his return to 100 percent.”

The 2013 World Championships is an individual championships, which means there is no team competition. Leyva’s replacement on the six-man team will be determined in the near future from among the named alternates: John Orozco, Bronx, N.Y./Team Hilton HHonors (U.S. Olympic Training Center); Eddie Penev, Penfield, N.Y./Team Hilton HHonors (Stanford University); and Paul Ruggeri, Manlius, N.Y./Team Hilton Honors (U.S. Gymnastics Developmental Center II).

The current five members of the World Championships Team are: Jake Dalton, Reno, Nev./Team Hilton HHonors (University of Oklahoma); Steven Legendre, Port Jefferson, N.Y./Team Hilton HHonors (Oklahoma); Sam Mikulak, Newport Coast, Calif./University of Michigan; Alexander Naddour, Queen Creek, Ariz./Team Hilton HHonors (USA Youth Fitness Center); and Brandon Wynn, Voorhees, N.J./Team Hilton HHonors (Ohio State University).

Release via USA Gymnastics