?Wasn?t Just Me?: Fred Richard Steps Away From Glory Despite Giving America the Podium at World Artistic Gymnastics Championships?2023

It has been a series of celebrations since the US Men’s Gymnastics Team set foot on the grounds of Antwerp, Belgium. While the US Women’s Team reigns superior through and through, the Men’s Team has had a fallback over the past couple of years. However, working against the odds, the US Men’s Gymnastics Team decided to mark their steps at the 2023 World Gymnastics Championship.

On the 3rd of October, the US men’s team climbed the podium for the first time since 2014. Accumulating a total score of 252.428, the team placed third, right behind Japan, and the People’s Republic of China. The team ending its drought continued on to the all-around finals in hopes of a similar outcome. Fred Richard, the 19-year-old debutant pointing the stance took the team to create history for the second consecutive day; winning the first medal in all-around for the country since 2010.

Fred Richard shares his glory

Post the medal ceremony on Thursday, Antwerp2023, caught up with Fred Richard for a quick chat on his thoughts after the event. Richard, talking about his feats went ahead to credit the win to the entire team. “Just happy that the hard work finally paid off… You know this work wasn’t just me, it was my friends and family, and my coaches all put together to bring this medal home to the US.”?

Fred Richard put up a total score of 84.332 across all apparatus to bring home the bronze after a decade. Richard continuing with his thoughts further added that the Men’s teams usually didn’t see many of the medals. He then stated that however, the scope is growing more every day. And considering all the medals won over the week, he believes that the team and the country are heading somewhere.

Also Read: Despite a Fall, USA Men?s Gymnastics Prodigy Fred Richard Lands With a Stunning Dismount, Sending America Into a Frenzy

The team survives the declining US men’s gymnastics

Unlike the women’s gymnastics, the US men’s team did not stand to have a similar base and support. According to The Sandford Daily, the sport saw a major decline following the rise and fall of the pandemic. While Standford was one among the many universities that backed the sport, the rest had to forgo gymnastics owning to financial burden. As reported by the paper, 2021 stood to witness a 20% decrease in the NCAA men’s gymnastics as compared to the previous year.

However, the men’s team at Worlds broke through the odds to stand tall on the podium. While the team earned its first bronze since 2014, Fred worked towards attaining one individually. Both the feats accomplished with a marvel stand as a hope for the aspiring youngsters. As the team rests, for now, the apparatus finals on the 7th and 8th call for heightened excitement and anticipation.

Watch this story: Simone Biles Triumphs Over Defending Champ, Reclaiming US Glory at World Artistic Gymnastics Championships 2023