Paul Juda came within a hair length of qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics, but ultimately missed out. Since then, the artistic gymnast has been giving it his all to take control of his Olympic dreams and not leave the decision to the federation. Juda got that opportunity at the US Olympic team trials and took control of his destiny. Yet, the 22-year-old couldn’t believe it when the moment came.

Besides Simone Biles, Paul Juda is among the few gymnasts who can pull off the incredibly difficult Yurchenko double pike. However, the 22-year-old gymnastics star didn’t need his signature skill to qualify for the Olympics. The Illinois native recalled how emotional and surreal he felt after securing the 4th spot in the five-man team.

“I was the first name called, and the second I heard ‘Pa—,’ I started crying right away,” Juda said during an NBC Chicago interview. The 22-year-old just couldn’t hold it in as the weight of four years of collective effort lifted from his shoulders. Paul Juda had come excruciatingly close to making it to the Olympic team last time, but despite his best effort, it didn’t go his way.

In fact, the artistic gymnast’s silver medal in the all-around during the 2021 Pan American Championships helped Team USA secure an extra berth at the delayed Tokyo Olympics. Unfortunately, the federation decided who would get that extra ticket. Paul Juda wouldn’t be the one. At this year’s US team trials scored 168.850 total placing fourth in the all-around.

However, a masterful performance during the Floor Exercise earned him 28.85 points and silver in the event. His next highlight from the trials was the Pommel Horse. Juda’s fellow Olympics teammate Stephen Nedoroscik won this event, while he earned bronze with 28.3 on the scoreboard. At the end of the day, the 22-year-old Michigan University gymnast had done enough, but it was just the beginning.

Paul Juda dreams of bigger achievements

“The more I look forward to the Olympics, the more I realize it’s awesome to become an Olympian,” Juda told NBC Chicago. Only the most elite athletes make it to the Olympics, and the 2023 World Championships team bronze medalist realized that during the 2024 trials. However, he added that “there’s a whole other upper echelon of athletes,” who become Olympic medalists.

So Paul Juda and his teammates dream of etching their names in Olympic history with medals for their nation. The young team of five gymnasts is confident in their abilities. Stephen Nedoroscik expressed similar confidence in their chances of winning at least one medal in Paris. Paul Juda will join Fred Richard, Brody Malone, Asher Hong, and Stephen Nedoroscik as part of the US Men’s Gymnastic team in Paris later this month.

While 22-year-old Paul Juda fondly recalled becoming an Olympian at this year’s US team trials, the 2024 Paris Olympics will truly test their mettle on an individual and team level.