The 2024 Winter Cup had its share of wavering graphs of emotions in the gymnastics industry upon arrival announcement. A graph of heightened joy over celebrated names taking the mats and a broken excitement over news of falls and absence continued until and beyond the event’s presence. However, amidst all the unkind circumstances, one name ensured to brighten up the event with his return: Brody Malone.

Earlier last year, Brody Malone suffered multiple injuries when dismounting a high bar. The incident obliged the gymnastics star to sit out most of the season, inclusive of the Worlds. But come Winter Cup, the two-time U.S. champion performed like he never left, further putting forth a gratitude note over the comeback success.

Brody Malone expresses his ‘incredible’ feeling

Following his Winter Cup performance, Brody Malone took to Instagram to share a few clips from the event. A  handstand on the parallel bars, a still from the pommel horse, and a podium finish click for the former made the carousel among the rest. Summing up the whole of it, Malone wrote, “Back in action at @usagym #WinterCup and man it was an incredible feeling. Thanks to everyone who helped me reach this point, this is just the beginning!” 

Brody Malone posted a score of 13.950 on the pommel horse, 12.850 on still rings, and 14.850 on parallel bars. The latter of the lot placed the 2020 Olympian in a third-place finish behind Yul Moldauer and Curran Phillips, followed by a fourth position on the pommel horse. The cumulative score placed the gymnast on the national team heading for the U.S. Gymnastics Championships from May 30 to June 2nd. But just as smoothly as the gymnastics star blazed through the Winter Cup, it wasn’t a result Malone was certain of.

Brighter gymnastics path for the Olympian

In March 2023, Brody Malone incurred a tibial plateau fracture, a partially torn PCL, and a fully torn LCL after failing to land a high bar dismount. The incident was followed by about three leg surgeries for the 2021 US gymnastics champion, further laying a path of uncertainty. “I don’t even know how many months since my last surgery, but I had to relearn to walk,” he tells Olympics.com. “…and here I am, running and jumping around, tumbling on tumble track and rod floor. So I’m super happy with my progress so far.”

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While Brody Malone has secured a firm stand on three apparatus, the rest still await their comeback debut by the gymnastics star. As per the Olympics.com reports, Malone is expecting to be cleared for horizontal bars dismount by next month while floor and vault yet remain an uncertainty. Nonetheless, Brody is aiming for the Olympic trials in April and an eventual path ahead to the coveted stage.