“Where the real gymnasts show”: After Breaking 11-year old record, Asher Hong brings NCAA to World Artistic Gymnastics Championships

Asher Keen Wah Hong, the 19-year-old American gymnast from Plano, Texas has made significant strides in the world of gymnastics. He won two junior division gold medals at the 2018 Pacific Rim Championships. And made a memorable senior international debut in 2022, helping secure the team gold medal and winning gold on the rings at the DTB Pokal Team Challenge. In 2023, Hong added another feather to his cap by becoming the youngest U.S. men’s all-around gymnastics champion after John Orozco in 2012.

Now, Asher Hong is once again making headlines, hinting at an even bigger achievement on the horizon, solidifying his status as a rising star in the gymnastics world.

The Future of American Men’s Gymnastics

In men’s gymnastics in the United States, Hong, alongside his Stanford teammates Khoi Young and Colt Walker, and Michigan’s Fred Richard symbolizes both the present and future of the sport. With the addition of seasoned veterans, this team configuration holds promise for clinching a medal at the upcoming World Championships in Belgium. And are surely setting their sights on the Paris Olympics in 2024.

At the center of this success story is Hong. His vault performances rival the world’s best and consistently prove pivotal in competitions. His victory in San Jose is a testament to his “team-first” mentality. ?It started with NCAA season and got me in that team mindset for sure. NCAA is all about the team, and you kind of not disregard, but you kind of let go of your individual ego a bit, and you set everything for the team,? Hong said of his mentality in San Jose.

It’s the collective unity and dedication of Hong, Young, Walker, and the entire Stanford team that stole the show in San Jose. It set a high bar for the next generation of gymnasts and magnified the pressure to carry the torch into Paris. However, the recent injury to Brody Malone could pose a problem.

Leadership Void and Rising Potential

The absence of two-time U.S. National All-Around Champion and 2022 World high bar gold medalist Brody Malone has created a leadership vacuum in U.S. men’s gymnastics. He sustained an injury during the 2023 DTB Pokal Team Challenge. Malone’s remarkable victory in Liverpool the previous year marked the first World Championship high bar win by an American male gymnast in 43 years, making his absence even more significant.

Read More: Months After Breaking 11-Year-Old Record, Asher Hong Drops a Special Update for World Artistic Gymnastics Championships

However, the team representing the United States at the World Championships includes standout athletes like Hong, Richard, Young, Paul Juda, and Moldauer. They possess immense potential. Their challenge lies not in hoping for medals, but in confidently approaching the competition. They require an improved execution, consistency, and a mindset that treats it as a home game, knowing that they can indeed secure medals and step up in Malone’s absence.

What do you think? With their collective talent and determination, will they succeed in their quest? Let us know in the comments!

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