Daniel Ribeiro Head Coach | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
Daniel Ribeiro Head Coach | University of Illinois Division of Intercollegiate Athletics Website
Illinois junior Brandon Dang has secured a place on both the U.S. Senior National Team and the U.S. Senior World Championships Team, according to an announcement from USA Gymnastics. Dang earned these spots after finishing second on pommel horse at the 2025 Xfinity U.S. Championships in New Orleans.
Dang is the first Illinois gymnast to represent the United States at the World Championships since Alex Diab competed in Japan in 2021.
"Brandon has been building for this moment for the last three years," said head coach Daniel Ribeiro. "On his recruiting trip, we talked about the importance of 2025 Worlds in his pursuit of the Los Angeles Olympic Games. Three years of work, growth, successes, and failures have led Brandon to this moment. We are so proud of him and can't wait to watch him represent the U.S. on the global stage."
Dang will join Asher Hong, Patrick Hoopes, Brody Malone, Kameron Nelson, and Donnell Whittenburg on Team USA at the World Championships scheduled for October 19-25 in Jakarta, Indonesia.
He aims to become the first American male gymnast to win a medal on pommel horse at Worlds since Khoi Young took silver in 2023.
Dang previously contributed to Team USA’s gold medal performance at the 2025 Pan American Championships in June and won gold individually on pommel horse during that event. He also participated in three FIG World Cup events this year, including a first-place finish at his debut with Team USA during the Baku World Cup held in Azerbaijan in March.
Another Illinois junior, Preston Ngai, placed fourth on pommel horse at nationals and was named to the U.S. Senior National Development Team.
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