Harlem, NY—The 11th Annual Harlem Gymnastics Invitational turned the Historic Harlem Armory into a showcase of athleticism and community on Friday, February 20, and Saturday, February 21, 2026, as hundreds of young gymnasts competed under the banner of the Wendy Hilliard Gymnastics Foundation (WHGF).
A Big‑Meet Feel In Harlem
Hosted by WHGF and staged at the Historic Harlem Armory, the 2026 Harlem Gymnastics Invitational brought a true big‑meet atmosphere to the neighborhood, with teams traveling into New York City for two full days of competition. The Invitational, now in its 11th year, is a signature event for the Foundation, which is celebrating three decades of providing gymnastics access to Harlem and underserved youth.
Across Friday and Saturday, the meet floor rarely sat quiet as rotations moved steadily through girls artistic, rhythmic, and trampoline & tumbling sessions. The Armory’s high ceilings and competition‑grade equipment—Eurotramps, a Skakun rod floor, and elite‑level setups—gave athletes the same kind of stage they see at major invitationals around the country.
Diverse Disciplines And Levels
One of the defining features of the Harlem Gymnastics Invitational is its range of disciplines and levels, and the 2026 edition stayed true to that model. Over the first two days, the event featured Girls Artistic Gymnastics from Level 2 through Level 10, plus Xcel divisions, alongside Rhythmic Gymnastics and Trampoline & Tumbling entries.
The Invitational also welcomed HUGS competitors and FIG‑level and group participants, reinforcing its inclusive mission and giving adaptive and higher‑level athletes the same spotlight. For many of the younger gymnasts, Friday’s early sessions were a first chance to compete on a big stage, while Saturday brought higher levels and older athletes who raised the difficulty and energy in the building.
“More Than A competition”
The tone from participating clubs and the Foundation emphasized that this weekend was about more than medals. One recap reel described the Harlem Invite as a meet where teams “placed first with every gymnast,” underscoring a focus on effort, experience, and growth over podiums alone.
That message sits squarely in line with the Wendy Hilliard Gymnastics Foundation’s mission to use gymnastics as a vehicle for opportunity, discipline, and confidence for Harlem youth. Throughout Friday and Saturday, families, coaches, and athletes filled the Armory, creating a community atmosphere that felt part local block party, part high‑level invitational.
Strong Momentum Before Weather Disruption
By the end of Saturday’s competition, the 2026 Harlem Gymnastics Invitational had built real momentum, with two full days of routines in the books and a final day still on the schedule. However, as the weekend progressed, the Foundation announced that Sunday’s third day of the Invitational would be canceled due to impending severe weather, along with the “Showtime in Harlem” component planned for Feb. 22nd.
While the cancellation trimmed the meet’s closing slate, it did not diminish what had already taken place on Friday and Saturday: a successful, two‑day celebration of gymnastics in Harlem that highlighted the depth of regional talent and the enduring impact of the Wendy Hilliard Gymnastics Foundation’s work.
