"You are not leaving Skye Blakely off this team" - Fans react to the American attempting the Cheng vault ahead of U.S. Gymnastics Championships

Skye Blakely is all set to compete at the Xfinity US Gymnastics Championships this weekend and she certainly looks up to the challenge. Participating in the podium training at the Dickies Arena in Fort Worth, Texas, fans were left wowed when they got a glimpse of the gymnast performing the Cheng on vault.

The Cheng is named after Chinese Olympic and World Champions Cheng Fei. The vault consists of a round-off, back-handspring with a half turn entry, and a front stretched somersault with a half twist. The move was first performed by Fei at the 2005 World Championships, winning her a gold, and has since gained international popularity.

An intricate and difficult vault, the Cheng was performed by five of the eight vault finalists at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics and remains one of the hardest moves performed in competition. As of 2022, it has a value of 5.60.

Skye Blakely recently had a go at the Cheng vault and fans have been left stunned by the youngster's attempt. Performing the vault in the podium training session at the Xfinity US Gymnastics Championships, the two-time World Champion showed off her skills ahead of the competition.

Several fans reacted to Blakely's Cheng, with one calling for her inclusion in the Olympics team.

“You are not leaving Skye of this team," the fan wrote.

A few other fans were of a similar opinion.

“Now if she has the Cheng, hard to keep her off the team,” one wrote.

“This is very good 👏🏼 her chances to make the team have gone way up if she competes it this well,” another added.

Here are some other fan reactions:

“She did sooo good!!! Can’t wait to see how she does this week!! You go girly!! You got this," another fan said.

“OHHHH HELL YES,” another X user commented.

“Yessssss Skye,” yet another fan chimed in.

When and how to watch Skye Blakely in action at the Xfinity U.S Gymnastics Championships

Skye Blakely is scheduled to compete in the second session of the women's senior events at the Xfinity US Gymnastics Championships. On Friday, May 31, this means she will be in action between 6:45 PM and 9:00 PM. For her second day of competition at the nationals, Blakely will take to the mat between 5:45 PM and 8:PM on Sunday, June 2nd.

Fans can catch a live stream of Skye Blakely’s opening session on Peacock, with a tape delay available on CNBC the next day at 1:30 PM. Meanwhile, the American’s second session will be broadcast on both NBC and NBC's Peacock.