Fred Richard is only 19 years old. Despite his young age, he pulled off something no American gymnast could do after 2010. After securing a medal at the 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships, he joined esteemed company. In fact, the last man from the United States to clinch an all-around World medal was Jonathan Horton. That happened in the year 2010 when Horton secured bronze in the all-around.

Fred Richard became the youngest American man to win an Olympic or World medal in gymnastics. He also became the first American man to win team and all-around medals, both bronze, at a single Worlds. The last to achieve that was Paul Hamm in 2003, according to NBC News. This was also the first time that was done at a Worlds not on American soil. Antwerp, Belgium, provided the stage and Richard did the rest. However, it was far from a straightforward win.

The Universe, its permutations and combinations

Speaking with the medal around his neck, Richard referred to the fall he?d sustained on the high bar. It so happened that Kenta Chiba of Japan had a similar experience during his routine. Chiba finished behind Richard, who came behind Japan?s Daiki Hashimoto and Ukraine?s Ilia Kovtun. Richard posited the Universe conspired to give him the bronze medal. According to him, it took the hard work he?d undertaken into account. He said, ?The Universe has a weird way of working it out to give me this medal. I think they wanted to show the world how hard I?ve worked this year, and I guess I get to show it now, so I?m really excited about that.?

Fred Richard had been vocal about his self-belief. Simultaneously, he admitted to trying to manifest the reality of a medal around his neck. He considered both key pieces to his puzzle. That pair contrived to keep him happy as he trained, according to him. He noted, ?[Manifesting and self-belief are] very important. I mean, when you?re going along this super hard journey, every second of your life you?re thinking about these goals, you might as well have a positive, happy attitude about it, you know. When I go in the gym every day, I?m happy because I know I?m working towards getting medals. And when it pays off, it?s just the greatest thing, but the journey itself was just as fun because I was happy the whole time and committed to getting this [the medal].?

Gymnastics idols to competitors

Fred Richard was happy to stand next to those he?d idolized only a couple of years ago. As he put it, he was excited to come back for the currently elusive gold. He added, ?I think it?s really fun and exciting. I?ve watched these guys for the last two-three years and they?ve come up in the international level. Now, I get to stand there right next to them which is pretty cool. Now they?re my competitors, I?m excited to come back in the future competitions and push for that gold [medal] but it was just fun. I was rotating with Daiki [Hashimoto], we had great chemistry, congratulating each other after each set, so, it was just fun. Yeah.?

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The 19-year-old gymnast failed to prevent Daiki Hashimoto from winning the gold. Hashimoto received his second successive gold medal in the Worlds all-around. Fred Richard broke many a long-standing record. He ended an American medal drought that was over a decade long in gymnastics.

It would be too soon to predict that Fred Richard would do swimmingly in the Olympic games in Paris. Simultaneously, it would be folly to put paid to his prospects currently. Everything looks good for the moment. American gymnastics has a new rising star. All that remains is to see how far he can go.

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