As the anticipation for the upcoming 2024 Paris Olympics is mounting, the spotlight naturally gravitates toward the women’s gymnastics team, spearheaded by iconic faces like Jordan Chiles and Simone Biles. Understandably, women gymnasts have historically been more successful than male gymnasts. However, this case seems to be changing as one of the prominent male gymnasts is looking forward to altering this narrative. 

Fred Richard is emerging with a determined effort to redirect the spectator’s attention by securing his first historic feat at the 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships. But it was not as easy as it may seem to be at first glance. The rising gymnastics star recently opened up on this which can serve as an inspiration to aspiring gymnasts.

The roadblocks that only made determination stronger 

In a recent interview with Good Morning America, Fredrick Richard sat with the team to answer the questions asked by his small fans worldwide. Soon after the conclusion of the interview, they posted the video on Instagram and penned, “We went backstage at GMA with viral gymnast @frederickflips where he answered questions from an all-boys gymnastics team.”

Fred’s incredible journey with gymnastics began at the tender age of 8 when he developed a profound love for the sport that helped him to begin learning gymnastics. Yet, this proved to be a double-edged sword for him. In the same interview, Richard revealed, “I was probably about eight years old, I was learning to kick on high bar, and it took me 2, 2 plus years.” The agony did not end there.

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Fred further revealed, “I think I was stuck in level 4 for two years, and level 5 for 2 years, cause of my age, but also, it was just annoying to see all these kids get into skill, it took me so long to figure out how to learn to kick, which is an easy skill in gymnastics.” Despite dedicating years to mastering simple techniques, including kicking on a high bar, Richard found himself lagging behind. But, with unwavering determination and love, Richard paved his way to excellence. That paid him well in the later years of his career.

Hard work creates a fond memory in gymnastics

At a mere 19 years of age, Fred Richard accomplished an amazing feat. When Richard stood up on the high bar at the 2023 World Championships, he felt imbalanced. Consequently, he fell on his last routine, which crushed the spectator’s hope as everyone felt that his fall would cost him a medal. But, riding on his spectacular performances in other routines, he secured the bronze in the all-around category.

With this, he became the first American male athlete to do such a feat since 2010. Not only that, but he also earned recognition as the youngest male in Team USA to claim an individual medal at the championship. Understandably, that remains a fond memory for Fred. And he made no bones about it.

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In the same interview with Good Morning America, Fred expressed the last (2023) World Championships are his favorite. He said, “The 19th, definitely this last one,… it’s an amazing experience, you get to meet all the people in the world that you were living up to your whole life, like the top people in the world, and then you get to go against them, so, that’s the experience, and it turned out amazing.” As the Olympic Qualifiers are approaching, it remains to be seen if Fred stands up to further his achievements once again.