After adding bronze to their collections, Michigan Wolverines Paul Juda and Fred Richard entered the all-around finals with high expectations. But, from the very start, it was clear that it wasn’t their day. Richard’s slip on the Pommel Horse and Juda’s misstep after his vault landing were just some of the signs that things weren’t clicking. As a result, the two ended up in 14th and 15th positions, respectively.

The disappointment was palpable, and the latest updates reveal they are deeply shaken by this unexpected setback. However, Richard’s enthusiasm to come back stronger is evident.

As per an X post by a USA Today reporter, Juda is not hastily making a decision about his return for the LA Olympics. While Richard is keen on making a comeback next time. He mentions, “I’m going to go back to the gym extremely hungry.” Well, a bronze just doesn’t seem enough for what he was expecting from his tour to Paris. Admittedly, he has said, “I’m not satisfied with whatever place I got here.” With a 82.166 crushing his all-around hopes, it looks Richard is eyeing to make a record-worthy comeback soon.

Unfortunately, Richard’s show was off to a shaky start. And the first of them were witnessed on the Pommel Horse, as he fell, chalked his hands again, and resumed. However, the deductions reflected in his score of  12.733. Next on the still rings, he starts with a Maltese, goes into a Planche. His handstand was a bit shaky too, followed by a hop back when he landed, giving him a 13.600. He covered with a decent vault, but his low landing and another hop were just fine for a 14.100. Richard scored 14 and more on both the floor and the parallel bars though. But, it seemed too little, too late.

However, not all is lost, for Richard did create ripples in the gymnastics community with his historic feat in the Team finals.

Fred Richard’s feat at 20 lands him in the history books

A confetti of emotions overtook the floor in the men’s team finals, as the Americans waited for this Olympic medal since 2008! Clinching a bronze, Paul Juda, Fred Richard, Brody Malone, Stephen Nedoroscik, and Asher Hong ended the drought for USA gymnastics. However, for Richard, the feat was possibly more special.

For the first time in 128-years, a black male gymnast from the USA was bagging a medal. While he would have dreamt of upgrading to a higher rank in the all-around finals, he’ll have to wait for LA 2028 to materialize this possibility. Only that time, he will hope to be better prepared.