“He literally flipped out of his crib,” said Ann-Marie, mother of Olympic Games-headed gymnast Fred Richard. Now picture this: Pacifier in mouth, between a stuffed teddy bear, and a SpongeBob SquarePants blanket, little Fred, barely a toddler, is doing a handstand at the far corner of his crib.

USA’s next Olympic hope for Men Gymnastics, Fred Richard, is like any other. Put to classes at a young age, working hard day-in and day-out for that sliver of opportunity, and finally getting to represent the country on the World Stage, at just 20.

Some opine his age definitely puts him in the golden years of male gymnasts competing. After all, he did become the youngest American gymnast to win an individual world medal in the men’s competition at the 2023 World Gymnastics Championships: A bronze.

Fred Richard’s age as flexibility

The first American male gymnast to win a WGC all-around medal in the last 13 years, Fred Richard, has the potential to be among the best male gymnasts Team USA has ever produced. But what is the key to his quick rise?

Richard started gymnastics at the age of four, which is common for many competitive gymnasts. Top male gymnasts are often between the ages of twenty and thirty and typically start training between ages four and six. As per a 2016 study, the average age of male Olympic gymnasts (who reached the finals) between 1980and 2016 was somewhere between 22.6 to 24.98. Perhaps establishing an early start is essential to building the strength, flexibility, and technique needed to compete at a high level.

But it does come down to talent at the end of the day: Something Fred seems to be brimming with.

The young Olympian topped his career with multiple awards, including Big Ten Gymnast of the Year and 3x NCAA All-American. In 2019, Richard participated in his first-ever elite-level National Championships. In the overall competition, he finished eighth, but in the floor exercise, he took bronze by being placed third behind Nick Kuebler, and Khoi Young.

However, his unstoppable drive also is a cause of concern for the Richard family, as several injuries continue to plague him (even a broken back!). “I’m really reckless. I don’t think fear has entered my brain in a very long time. I like to challenge myself and push my limits. The problem is I don’t know my limits sometimes,” before continuing, “But, I’m working on that.” 

However, it’s not just age, but also his height working in the gymnast’s favor!

Richard’s advantageous height feature

Did you know, event specialization can be influenced by height? Taller gymnasts may do well on the horizontal bar, while shorter gymnasts are more likely to do well on the pommel horse and rings.

Fred Richard’s height, which measures 5’5″ (165 cm), is a noteworthy feature of his gymnastics profile. Although he is shorter than the usual male international gymnast, who typically stand between five feet five inches and five feet nine inches (165 cm and 175 cm) tall, his height range is considered advantageous.

As per reports, short stature gymnasts are said to have a lower center of gravity and rotational inertia, allowing them to move faster. Indeed, having a lower center of gravity helps shorter gymnasts balance and remain stable during difficult routines. In 2022, Richard claimed gold in parallel bars and vault while also ranking 5th in floor exercise in the DTB Pokal Team Challenge. A few months down the road, the gymnast led his country to team gold once again, while ruling the all-around segment at the top of the Pan American Championships.

Richard has a long and impressive list of accomplishments. His wins include winning the bronze medal with a score of 84.332 in the 2023 FIG World Championships and winning silvers in the team, still rings, and all-around at the 2024 NCAA Men’s Gymnastics Championships in Columbus with an overall result of 14.400 and 83.999 for the last two categories, respectively.

Among his numerous honors are his U.S. Olympic Trials crowns in parallel bars and high bar, where he ranked second with a score of 29.850 and first with a score of 28.850, respectively, for this year. Richard’s status as a great gymnast has been strengthened by his performances at international competitions, such as the US Championships and the FIG World Championships. Fred Richard’s performances and commitment to gymnastics never cease to inspire, with his story being an example that skill is just as important to success as physical traits. His accomplishments will surely have a long-lasting effect on the gymnastics community as long as he competes.