American Arise Willoughby has won a record-tying third world title in BMX racing and is very likely to compete in her fourth Olympics.
Willoughby, 33, won the world championship on Saturday in Rock Hill, South Carolina. She was followed by Swiss Zoe Claassens and American Darenie Vaughan.
“I always say this place has a special place in my heart,” said Willoughby, who also won the last world championship in Rock Hill in 2017.
“I’m very proud to be able to say that my potential is still growing this late in my career, and I want to keep digging.”
Willoughby and Vaughn will be on the U.S. Olympic team in Paris if the U.S. can secure at least two spots through the international rankings, which is expected to be achieved.
According to OlyMADMen, Willoughby could match Christine Armstrong's record for most Olympic appearances by a female American cyclist.
Willoughby won silver at the 2016 Rio Olympics and crashed twice in the semi-finals in Tokyo as the reigning world champion. She previously won world titles in 2017 and 2019.
Willoughby tied the record for most women's world titles held by Argentina's Gabriela Diaz, Britain's Shanaze Reid and Colombia's Mariana Pajon. Willoughby also won her seventh career world medal, extending her already-held women's record.
Britain's Bethany Schriever, the past two-time Olympic champion, and Pahon were eliminated in the same semifinal.
In Saturday's men's race, France's Joris Daudet won his third world title over Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Nique Kinman.
Cameron Wood, the highest placed American male rider, was eliminated in the quarterfinals due to a collision with another rider. According to USA Cycling, Wood was fine after that.
Wood missed last August's world championships due to left shoulder surgery, reinjured his shoulder in February and returned to competition in April.
The 2024 U.S. Olympic Team roster will be updated as they qualify.
