US Gymnastics Championships: Brody Malone Restores Paris Olympics Hope After Recovering From Brutal Knee Fracture

Brody Malone has announced his return to elite gymnastics as the former world champion claimed the top position in the Xfinity US Gymnastics Championships. Malone reached the top score in the event H bar (14.900). In the rest of the events, his scores remained more than 14.000, proving his remarkable comeback in the face of adversity. On the other hand, another world championship medalist, Fred Richard, claimed the second position. With Brody, his point difference remained a staggering 1.600. However, the Fort Worth proved to be Brody Malone’s return after his horrific injury in Germany last year. 

Last year in March, the 24-year-old had come under an accident while performing his routines. Coincidentally, Brody Malone’s dismounting had created a nuisance for him that day. As per his description in a podcast, his left hand peeled off the bar without his notice. Such a movement forced him to fly on a different trajectory in the air. Next, his landing was backward, putting a sheer force on his right leg, which ultimately twisted the leg. 

The catastrophe left him to have three surgeries on his right leg. The subsequent recovery process put another burden on him. Narrating that unparalleled experience Brody said, “They repaired the meniscus tear and they used nine screws and two plates to repair the tibia fracture.” 

All theses were done after his return to Stanford. But before that, in Germany, he had undergone a primary fixating process to ease the pain. That process had inserted rods and screws in his leg- things the gymnast could hardly imagine. But desperate to make a comeback, Brody waited for his chance with his chin up. 

This year’s Winter Cup witnessed him create the magic he’s been most known for. The 13+ average score put his name among the Paris Olympics hopefuls. Now, after today’s performance, the chance has been cemented firmly. 

Brody Malone speaks highly of his confidence level 

From standing on scratches to landing perfectly in the Xfinity game, Brody Malone must have come a long way. And as per his confession, it was all about the thorough process that helped him to bring his fitness back. “I knew from the beginning if I was going to be in a place to where my leg was healthy enough, then I was definitely going to try to do all or nothing,” Brody’s motivated voice asserted before taking his chance in Fort Worth. 

However, after the Winter Cup, the challenge was to target the floor exercise and vault routine. And it took him “two and a half months” to bring back the finesse. Today, his 14.000 score in each routine echoed his sky-high fitness and confidence levels. 

Speaking on his mindset propelling him to counter the elite gymnasts today, the Olympian said, “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 scoreline speaks volumes for him now, majorly on his return to the Paris Olympics’ lane.