As Team USA’s Men’s Artistic Gymnastics squad entered the Paris Olympics team finals, they had their sights set on the gold medal. After all, they wanted to end the decades-long wait for their home side, a shadow that has loomed since 1984. However, as of rotation 2 in the team finals, the results appear mixed. What does that mean? Well, they might land on the podium, or they may even miss it entirely.

Entering the Paris Olympics Men’s Artistic Gymnastics finals rotation 2, Paul Juda, who is off to the all-around finals, did not stick his landing on the vault. Next, Brody Malone also failed to nail his first landing, adding to the uncertainty. However, not all was lost. Juda’s second attempt on the vault was stellar, leaving him beaming and with a 14.666. And so was Malone’s, who then bagged 14.533. Following them, Asher Hong did manage to land but took a while to do so. But, it looked a successful one, as it left him with a 14.833. Ultimately, Team USA’s standings as of rotation 2 are 86.764.

Interestingly, while it seemed like a narrow escape for Juda and Malone initially, the team score of 86.764 has them ranked first as of rotation 2. This appears a major improvement from their fifth finish in the qualification rounds. Plus, it has come in fairly early, only in the second rotation. Thus, they continue to march on as strong contenders of gold. But, following up closing, are the Chinese gymnasts, in the second spot in rotation 2. Well, this is the side who picked the title at the London Games and are hoping for a similar results this time.

Speaking of the qualification round, Hong had scored the highest vault total in the USA contingent, getting a 14.566. However, ending 9th, he narrowly missed out on making to the apparatus finals. As for Paul Juda, his average on the vault in the men’s qualification was 14.566. But, for Brody Malone the day was not completely in his favor. Neither on the vault, with a 13.833 on the first vault attempt, nor otherwise

Brody Malone’s day 1 had ended in an upset at the Paris Olympics

Very early into the men’s qualification subdivision, Brody Malone was struck by major blows. Falling twice on the high bars and once on pommel horse, crushed him out of the all-around race. With an all-around total of 79.598, the window closed for him, as Juda and Fred Richard squeezed through with higher totals. More so, he did not make it any individual apparatus finals either. This clearly pins his gold-winning chances at Paris, on this team event.

The journey to this mark had been a tumultuous one for Malone, which made the upset even more shattering. 2023 March, he battled a major injury in his leg, but made a strong comeback this season. Well, it was one for the books, as he bagged the Xfinity US Gymnastics Championship title, pulling himself back into the thick of competitive gymnastics.

Well, notably his fans were ‘gutted’ for him after his day 1 struggles. But most were possibly hoping for him to come back stronger in the team event. But, we are yet to see if Team USA maintains this top of the table rank tonight. What do you think? Can they?