The USA Men’s Gymnastics squad clinched the bronze medal at the World Gymnastics Championships, marking their first podium finish in this category in 16 years, thanks in large part to the talents of 20-year-old Frederick Richard.
Standing proud on the podium, the USA team celebrated alongside Japan, which took home the silver, and China, the gold medalists.
This impressive win highlighted the team’s exceptional combination of skill, accuracy, and teamwork. The squad consists of Brody Malone, Asher Hong, Paul Juda, Stephen Nedoroscik, and Richard, all of whom executed outstanding performances on the pommel horse, parallel bars, and high bar.
Originally from Massachusetts, Richard is notable for being the sole Black gymnast on the team. Not only did he qualify for the men’s individual all-around competition, but he also manages to juggle his responsibilities as the CEO of “Frederick Flips.”
Richard sees himself beyond just an athlete; he’s also a CEO, a social media influencer, a budding YouTuber, and a visionary, drawing inspiration from icons like Muhammad Ali and Michael Jordan. Despite balancing various roles, his main focus remains on excelling in gymnastics and pushing the boundaries of the sport.
He made a significant mark earlier this year when he earned a bronze in the all-around at the 2023 World Championships, a noteworthy achievement as he became the first American man to medal in this event at a major international competition in over a decade.
Although the bronze was a monumental feat for a men’s program that had faced challenges, Richard’s success came with a touch of uncertainty. His high bar routine during the final rotation wasn’t his strongest, causing him to doubt his chances of medaling. However, when others around him also faltered, he ended up securing a result that surprised even him.
The last instance of the USA Men’s Gymnastics team achieving gold at this level was in 2008, making this bronze even more special for both the team and their supporters. This victory symbolizes a proud moment for gymnastics in America, especially following a concerted effort towards rebuilding and advancing the sport.
For many years, men’s gymnastics in the U.S. has often found itself in the shadows of the women’s program, which is known for producing gold medalists who achieve “first-name-only” recognition. Richard recognizes this disparity and is on a mission to change it. His aim is to boost the visibility of male gymnasts, one stellar performance, one viral post, and one media appearance at a time.
“One of my goals is to have someone walk down the street one day and ask them to name a male gymnast, and they can actually name one,” Richard shared with the Associated Press.