BOSTON (CBS) – Alexandra “Aly” Raisman’s chance at gold is within closer reach than even she expected. The Needham native will be competing in the individual all-around gymnastic final on Thursday after overtaking favorite Jordyn Wieber, in the qualification rounds in London. Raisman’s score of 60.391 beat out Wieber’s who came into the Olympics as the World Champion.

Read: WBZ London Eye Blog

Prior to the Olympic trials, Raisman said, “ Having them take five girls instead of six is a big difference, and it’s going to be really hard to make the team because there are so many amazing girls.”

She exceeded her expectations at trials, beating out training partner and 2008 Olympic silver medalist Alicia Sacramone for a spot on the 2012 US Olympic team.

More: Olympic Coverage from London

Raisman trained at Brestyan’s American Gymnastics Club in Burlington alongside Sacramone. She said training with someone with as much experience as Sacramone allows her to see the sacrifices she makes and how hard she works. She added that it motivates her and she sees that hard work makes your dreams come true.

For Raisman, just making the team is already a dream come true.

“To be able to compete there and just to represent the United States would be really special and just to be able to wear red, white and blue,” she said.