Brody Malone and the high bars have been in a back-and-forth relationship. A minor mistake in the 2021 Tokyo Olympics landed him in the fourth position on the high bar. That same event saw him becoming the world champion in 2022. The tables turned once again in 2023, for a terrible outcome this time. At the DTB cup, Malone’s brutal fall in the high bars took away even his ability to walk. Overcoming that, as he appeared in one more Olympics, the bars still remained too high for Brody Malone!

On the first day of men’s gymnastics, leading the charge was Brody Malone, the lone U.S. gymnast with Olympic experience on the team. Overturning the injury debacle, Malone was eager to prove his world champion status in the routine. However, the day proved to be a bitter pill to swallow, as Malone faced hurdles not only in the high bar but in pommel horse as well.

As shown in the live telecast by NBC, in the high bars qualification round, Brody Malone began with impressive pirouettes, but disaster struck during his full-twisting layout Tkachev. Despite the rough start, he didn’t throw in the towel. Malone pressed on, attempting a Cassina with a stretched catch followed by a Kolman, which he nearly snagged on his elbows before crashing against the bar and falling off.

He managed to pull with a solid Tkachev combination, a full-twisting double-back layout, and a double-double layout dismount. However, the damage was done. With two falls under his belt on the same day, his medal hopes took a nosedive, as he missed out on making it to the all-around final. His misfortune continued in the pommel horse.

The routine saw him attempt a one-arm circle but lose control, his hand slipping behind the horse. Despite this, he calmly got back on, though his hips needed adjustment, scoring 12.100. However, on the still rings, he delivered a strong performance with a score of 14.233. In the vault, Malone executed a Kas 1½ with a hop off the mat, scoring 13.833.

While fans on X are dissecting every detail of his performance, his teammates had all praise for him, just because he could participate after the injury claimed his entire gymnastic season last year. This year Malone had already reestablished himself by winning the US championships and claiming a second spot at the trials. But the world takes this incredibly difficult achievement “for granted,” Frederick Richard said. He was also confident that Malone would come back stronger in two days.

In a conversation after the event, Malone said, “It wasn’t the best day, but I got six routines under my belt, got the nerves out, getting ready to compete a few more times” while also mentioning he would look forward to resetting himself. Alongside, he also had a mention for the crowd who cheered all the way for the team. “Going from Tokyo where there was literally no one in the stands to having a crowd, lot of USA supporters out there, it’s amazing,” Malone said.

With high bars once again giving a tough time to Malone, let us take a look at how it had turned his life upside down.

From injury to inspiration- Brody Malone’s comeback against all odds

Tokyo marked Brody Malone’s first Olympics, where he finished 10th in the all-around with a score of 84.465. The standing left him with a “really bad taste in your mouth,” as he put it. The heartbreak of Tokyo, however, was just the tip of the iceberg.

In March 2023, at the DTB Cup in Germany, Malone faced a devastating injury. His hands slipped off the high bar early as he went in for his dismount and Malone instantly knew things were not right. Malone found himself moving uncontrolled in the air. Although he had expected to land somewhat safely, that did not happen. That left him with a “torn meniscus, tibial plateau fracture, partially torn posterior cruciate ligament, fully torn lateral collateral ligament,” according to a report by USA Gymnastics.

After three surgeries, lengthy phases of bedrest, and weeks in rehab, Malone’s Olympic dreams were still looking far-fetched. But as he puts it, the injury became a “huge motivator” for his comeback. “You never really know how bad you want something until you have it taken away from you,” Malone said. “And that is exactly how this ended up working out.” Malone reflected. The 2024 US championships witnessed that.

At the Fort Worth event, Malone topped with 172.300 across the two days of competition, well ahead of Fred Richard (170.250). Khoi Young (169.550). Letting out raw emotion is something Malone rarely does. But that occasion broke that barrier for the 24-year-old who grew up in a family of rodeo competitors. So after finishing his high bar routine at the championships, he jumped, he yelled, and he punched his hands in the air, venting the pain of months.

“I don’t like to lose. It drives me and makes me work hard. I didn’t come here to just show up and compete. I wanted to win,” Malone had roared after the achievement. Next was the Olympics on the line. And Malone made a comeback there as well. “It was always in the plans to try to make a comeback,” he said, though it was uncertain if he could compete in floor and vault, the most demanding events on the knees. Malone still has the chance to perform in the team final on July 29. We keep our fingers crossed for one more comeback!