Miracle Worker Behind Brody Malone’s Stellar Debut at US Gymnastics Championships Isn’t New to Olympics

At the Xfinity US Championships, Brody Malone nailed his high bar dismount, legs glued to the mat. After dominant wins in 2021 and 2022, including a World Championship, Malone faced a severe injury in 2023. He returned to competition at the 2024 Winter Cup on pommel horse, rings, and parallel bars, signaling his comeback for the Olympics after three surgeries.

Behind Brody Malone’s impressive debut at the US Gymnastics Championships is a man with Olympic experience – Samuel Mikulak. Samuel Mikulak, a three-time Olympian, has embarked on a new journey towards the Paris Olympics, this time not as a competitor, but as a coach. His expertise has been pivotal in shaping Malone’s stellar performance, marking a promising start to their partnership in gymnastics.

Recently, Team USA revealed on Instagram that veteran Olympian Samuel Mikulak is on the path to the Paris Olympics in a new role as a coach. They wrote, “3x Olympian @samuelmikulak is on the road to the #ParisOlympics in a new role… as coach 🫡”. As Malone embarked on his journey to the US Gymnastics Championships, Mikulak’s guidance became the cornerstone of his success.

The two-time national champion, Brody Malone, surged into the lead at the U.S. men’s gymnastics championships on Thursday. With an impressive all-around total of 85.950, he established a commanding lead over competitors Fred Richard and Donnell Whittenburg. 24-year-old Malone, a key member of the 2020 Olympic team and a 2X world championship medalist, concluded his night with a stellar performance on the high bar, scoring an impressive 14.900. This event is significant for Malone because of a major right knee injury suffered on the high bar in the World Cup in Germany in March 2023. 

Brody Malone’s high bar routine started strong, reminiscent of his gold-winning performance at the 2022 World Championships. However, a slip during his dismount led to a devastating fall, fracturing his right leg and shredding multiple knee ligaments. “I knew I was going to be out for a long time, but what was going through my head was, ‘This just happened. I just have to take things as it comes right now,’” he expressed, reflecting on the mix of shock and acceptance in that pivotal moment of injury.

Malone’s recovery plan focused on floor exercise and vault, essential for leg stability, by the Olympic Trials. By January, he was training on a TumbleTrak and by March, testing his skills on the floor. Despite the visible brace, his progress hints at an improved performance compared to his 2021 Olympic debut. 

Sam Mikulak, a 6X national champion and now a coach at EVO recently gave Brody Malone a pep talk, though he admits it probably wasn’t necessary. He said, “It’s like, ‘Dude, everything you’ve done, you’ve just strengthened your strength so much more.” Sam further added, “So you’re a better gymnast than you’ve ever been now, you just got trust and go let it rip”. Sam Mikulak is one of the greatest American male gymnasts of all time. He holds a record as a 6-time U.S. All-Around Champion (2013-2016, 2018-2019).

Sam was part of the 2014 U.S. World Championships Team that won Team Bronze and earned a World Bronze Medal on the Horizontal Bar in 2018. After an illustrious career, Sam retired following the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. In summer 2022, he joined the EVO Gymnastics Elite Men’s Coaching Staff in Sarasota, Florida. After guidance from his coach cum teammate Malone’s confidence has reached a level where he no longer frets about injury.

During warm-ups on Thursday, he stumbled at the end of a tumbling run, bending awkwardly. While others reacted with concern, he laughed it off, admitting embarrassment but feeling hardly hurt. To this he firmly said, “I hate to lose,” “I’m not here just to participate. I want to win.” Brody Malone’s journey reflects a steady ascent with confidence, setting the stage for remarkable achievements in gymnastics.

Brody Malone: A slow but steady path fueled by high confidence

Despite a serious injury requiring screws and iron rods, Brody Malone’s determination never wavered. After nine months of recovery, he impressed at the Houston National Invitational with three events. His subsequent stunning improvement at the Winter Cup alongside Yul Moldauer and Curran Philips fueled his hunger for success.

Rather than boasting, he’s focused on securing a spot in the Paris Olympics and has made strategic changes accordingly. He stated, “The plan right now is to try and get back in the all-around”. After the Winter Cup, Brody Malone honed his floor exercise and vault routine over two and a half months. This resulted in impressive 14.000 scores that showcase his peak fitness and confidence. 

When discussing his mindset for competing against elite gymnasts, the Olympian emphasized the importance of self-confidence, stating, “You got to have confidence in yourself that you can do it. I mean… I came in with the mindset of, ‘I just need to do my gymnastics and let the scores fall where they do.’” His impressive scoreline now serves as a testament to his approach, particularly as he makes his comeback on the road to the Paris Olympics.