The US Men’s gymnastics has witnessed a wavering graph throughout the years. A line of consistency tweaked with wins over frequent intervals has been the teams’ path over the years, including 21 Olympic appearances. Nonetheless, the athletes have kept going, to finally etch history and mark a growing success at the 2023 World Gymnastics Championships.

During the 2023 Worlds, the men’s team earned a team bronze, following 9 years of professional drought rife with disappointment. Marking their presence, the team of five became the cynosure of all eyes with their next steps. Today, as the Paris Olympics nears, two of the youngsters on the roster, Paul Juda, and Fred Richard reveal their goals through the journey ahead. Richard beguiles fans as he emboldens how winning hearts and perfecting routines are the lynchpin as opposed to mere medals procurement.

Fred Richard names motto ahead

Inside Gymnastics on X recently caught up with Fred Richard and Paul Juda to talk about Worlds success and the path ahead leading to the Paris Olympics. As iterated, the gymnasts’ performance has presented a strong force after years leading to a potential end to the Olympic medal draught. However, for Richard, the 2023 World all-around bronze medalist, the focus lies not on medals but on personal growth. “Focus isn’t on the medals. I feel how much room I have in gymnastics. Getting those skills, getting to that level is more important than a medal” Richard started.

The 19-year-old’s further entailed the team’s collective motto to take it “One day at a time.” The gymnast believes he cannot control the medal but controlling oneself is the primary focus. Continuing with that list, Richard is gearing up to measure his growth in a 6-month’s time.

As for Paul Juda, the 22-year-old isn’t far from sharing Fred’s beliefs. “Watching the best in the world in event finals, and you are going, ‘Wow! there’s so much more that can be done in sport’, and that’s a huge motivator,” Juda states. Juda, who currently competes for the Michigan Wolverines and the national team, hopes to find the fire burning in the chest. The team is looking to stoke their flames ahead.

The team ends the drought

The men’s gymnastics team went in high in hopes and team filled with young talent for the 2023 World Championships. From qualifications to the team finals, the 5 gymnasts put in a combined effort to be remembered for years in line. “We have so much potential to go,” Richard said. “We were there on the third place [step] so happy, but we were like, wow, we can really get to that first place, too.” 

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With 252.428 on the board, the team placed to clinch a medal after 9 whole years. As for individual, Fred Richard put up 84.332, earning a second bronze; becoming USA’s first men’s all-around medalist since 2010.

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