As the 2024 Summer Olympics approach, the spotlight on American gymnastics shines brighter. While the women’s team has been a steady global dominance, the men’s squad saw a great leap last year, winning bronze at the Artistic World Championships. When discussing the historic win, one cannot miss the debut impression by teen gymnast Fredrick Richard, who took home an individual medal. After a fall on his last routine at the high bar, the young athlete not only won bronze in the all-around but also made history as the first American male to earn such a medal in 13 years.

However, his unexpected absence from the Winter Cup upset many fans until his gymnastics career reward- an award nomination– made up for it. Adding on, Fred recently reflected on his prowess crediting Tiktok for his initial influence.

TikTok, a divisive double edged social media platform, is Richard’s springboard

Days after Richard’s withdrawal from the Winter Cup, a major qualifying event for the US Gymnastics Championships, things turned around when he was nominated for the prestigious AAU James E. Sullivan Award. It’s not easy becoming the face of a new generation of sportsmen, and Richard acknowledged that in an NBC feature. Fred said, “It goes back to me kind of feeling what my purpose is in the sport — It is to grow the sport…And I think TikTok is that platform that gave me that opportunity.”

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In an age where social media is often criticized, Fred’s example of advocating for gymnastics stands out, as he adds, “I’ve realized a lot of Black kids are looking up to me nowadays and I think it’s amazing.” Fred also owed much of his success to the strong support system, his parents.

Fred’s old coach, Tom Fontecchio, also helped shape his career. Fontecchio went above and beyond; he told Michigan Daily, “On the weekends, he’d(Fontecchio) go out of his way to drive me to other gyms that had the right equipment and train me.” Guess the saying it takes a village is true after all, and the young gymnast is anything but grateful while the road to Paris prepares him to replicate last year’s wins.

2023 World Gymnastics Championship highlight

Fred Richard’s unprecedented medal haul in the 2023 World Championships echoed across the gymnastics community. He became the first American male competitor since 2010 to earn an all-around medal at the World Gymnastics Championships and the youngest American male gymnast to win an individual medal.

The united effort of Asher Hong, Paul Juda, Yul Moldauer, Khoi Young and Fred led to the fourth-ever team medal for US men at the event and the first since 2014.

“Yell I Let Out”: Challenging Foreign Champions, USA’s Fred Richards Makes Million Americans Proud at His First World Artistic Gymnastics Championships 2023

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