The 19-year-old Michigan Wolverines’ most prized gymnast, Fred Richard, has a fanbase now. Though US men’s gymnastics had been in a medal drought for two decades, the 2023 season was the most notable in history. Having said so, a great deal of credit goes to the 2021 and 2022 Junior Pan Am champ.

Although his junior career kick-started in 2019, most of his time was spent making TikTok videos during the COVID-19 pandemic. But in 2023, he gained recognition for finishing all-around third at the Xfinity National Championships after his NCAA Championship wins. Soon after, his podium finishes at the 2023 World Championships, he became the youngest US man with an all-around title.

Fred Richard receives a title

With 3 NCAA Championship golds in his purse this season, Richard’s Worlds displays were nothing short of amazing. So, the USA Gym has released a magazine to accolade the young gymnastic achievers. Among them, Fred Richard has earned the title of ‘Showstopper of the Year‘. The magazine named USAG has featured several other medal holders, too.

Captioning the Instagram post as “now reading“, the first slide featured none other than Simone Biles with the title ‘Comeback of the Year‘. Interestingly, the US women’s gymnastic roster, who made their way to Worlds Championships team gold made them the ‘Record Breakers of the Year’, according to the USAG.

When the 19-year-old made his comeback in 2021, he secured the junior all-around at the 2021 National Championships. To make the most of his 2021 season, Richard won 4 golds at the Junior Pan American Championships. But nothing stands in-front of his 2023 World Artistic Gymnastic Championship wins.

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Richard’s Worlds finishes

Just when he thought that the podium was slipping away, he stayed calm. Watching China’s Sun Wei fail on pommel horse and Japan’s Kenta Chiba on high bar, the 19-year-old became the man of the night with an 84.332 bronze finish.

READ MORE: Rehashing Olympic Qualification, Team USA Revisits Scoring for Performance at World Artistic Gymnastics Championships 2023

Post competition, he had said, “The universe has a weird way of doing things. So I think it wanted me to be happy with all the work I did this year and have this medal to show it.” Hailing from a family which always supported his endeavors, the 19-year-old champ has bigger goals to achieve now.

Watch this story: As Simone Biles and Michael Phelps’ Work Towards Mental Health, Another Rising Gymnast Breaks Silence on Self-Care in Sports