Despite scoring big for America, USA’s rising underdog faces disappointment at World Artistic Gymnastics Championships 2023

There has been fierce competition on the first day of the 2023 World Gymnastics Championship. 24 teams competing for the top 8 spots to move into the next round of the competition have showcased imposing abilities and skills. Joining in on the face-off was the US men’s team, who marked an exceptional beginning for themselves at the qualifiers round.

It was a fierce showdown across seven apparatuses on the first day of the World Gymnastics Championships. As the teams in Subdivision 3 spanned from Floor Exercise to All-Arounds, the ground saw various names emerging from each rotation. However, it wasn’t a situation favorable to Team USA. Fred Richard, who had a strong start to his game, expressed his thoughts on the circumstances post the team’s performance.

The emerging gymnastics icon shares his thoughts

Fred Richard is one of the five forming the USA men’s gymnastics team. The 19-year-old, the 2021 and 2022 Junior Pan American Champion hails from the University of Michigan. Fred, starting from a young age, made his way to perform exceptionally at the 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships in Antwerp.

Speaking of the same following his High Bar results, Richard said, “That was the event I really wanted to get into the final on & go for that medal, but it’s only going to make me better.”?

The youngster scored a 12.233 in High Bar, 2.27 less than the leader on the board. But the gymnast finished well on the floor exercise, placing in the top 10 with 14.600.

Despite the results, Fred remained optimistic and confident. “I think we’re looking great, we’re in great shape to contend for that podium spot. So that’s the goal. We’re going to give it our all for the team final.”? The team riding alongside the young champion still holds out hopes after putting on a performance well to the point.

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Team USA remains optimistic

Fred Richard starting young began his career in 2019 competing at the National Championship competing along now teammate Koi young. The gymnast won a bronze back in his first contest and only returned for a big one two years later. In 2021, Richard won the all-arounder at the National Championship and led the team to gold in Pan American Games. At the same event, the youngster also won an individual gold on vault and horizontal bar. Richard then kept up the momentum in 2022 to finally end up at 2023 Worlds.

The now 19-year-old, placed immensely well amidst the heightened competition at the venue. While he placed in the top 10 in floor, Richard was also followed by fellow teammates in the category. Asher Hong and Yul Moldauer, each earning 14.300, and 14.233 ended in the latter part of the top performers. The team initially had Khoi Young who bested the Pommel horse and Paul Jade who performed one of the trickiest vaults.

While the team might not have appeared on the top, it most certainly knew it handle it all well. Sleeping off the day, Team USA will return to get their hands on the ticket leading way to the Paris 2024.

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