“That’s the Worst Mistake”: Bagging a Bronze, US Gymnast Fred Richard Shares His Experience From the World Championships

Fred Richard, the budding gymnastic icon has made waves in 2023 at just 19, which most athletes would fail to match. Finishing with the all-around bronze not only added an individual medal to his purse but also etched his name in history. He became the first man on the US team to have won the all-around medal since 2010. But his win didn’t land in his lap as effortlessly as it looked.

When he grabbed the high bar on the final day, he was positive. But his morale descended when he fell in the final rotation. Immediately after the next top contenders fell as well, his name lightened up on the scoreboard. But he was already a little off from before. What might be the reason behind it?

Fred Richard committed a serious mistake at the 2023 Worlds

In a podcast titled ‘The Fred Richard Story‘, Sam Oldham invited the 19-year-old for a chit-chat. Since Richard was a part of the Worlds, most questions revolved around that. Oldham was curious to know whether any part of his success surprised the gymnast or not. In response, the  2022 Junior Pan American Champion said, “After parallel bar I look up at the scoreboard that’s the worst mistake I could have done I look up and I see him at I’m in second place at the World Championships”. 

He who pitched up for the Worlds for ‘fun’, was hit by reality just then. The 3x gold medalist at the NCAA Championships wasn’t cognizant of his finesse. But now, he even looks forward to making a mark at the 2024 Paris Olympics. After he finished behind Asher Hong and Khoi Young at the 2023 Xfinity National Championships, his name was put up for the Worlds, which was nothing less than a learning experience for him.

Richard’s learning experience

“I enter High bar which is my best event but with so much pressure and then you know I fell under pressure but such a big learning experience of how I should handle pressure what I would have done different”, said Fred Richard. Always sporting an infectious smile, the 2021 Junior Pan American Champion didn’t walk home with a bitter taste in his mouth.

Signed up with the Michigan Wolverines team, 19-year-old Fred Richard will continue his college journey till 2026. But until now, especially in the 2023 State Challenge, he set the benchmark really high. Also a TikTok star with millions of fan rallying in adoration, Richard will give it a shot at more events this year.

READ MORE: Training for Paris Olympics 2024, Fred Richard Opens Up About His Goals for Gymnastics: “Never Satisfied“