Michigan Duo Frederick Richard and Paul Juda Lead the Way for the U.S. After Gymnastics Qualifications
by Hanna Barton
Frederick Richard and Paul Juda are used to training and competing alongside one another. The University of Michigan gymnastics teammates have taken on NCAAs, U.S. Championships, and World Artistic Gymnastics Championships together. After their performances at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 in Bercy Arena today, the duo will experience a first together – an Olympic all-around final.
In their Olympic debut, Richard and Juda finished with the two highest all-around scores for Team USA and 10th and 13th overall. Their performances helped the U.S. men's team sit at fifth overall after all subdivisions were completed. The team, comprised of Richard, Juda, pommel horse specialist Stephen Nedoroscik, Stanford Unversity standout Asher Hong, and Tokyo Olympian Brody Malone, is seeking USA’s first team medal in men’s gymnastics since a bronze medal finish in 2008.
“We were both in the gym pushing each other grinding and it shows today,” said Richard. “It's going to be really fun because we get to have another teammate competition at the all-around final, with my closest teammate next to me. I’m just excited.”
The expectations for 20-year-old Richard have been high following his bronze medal in the all-around at the 2023 World Artistic Gymnastics Championships and first-place finish at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials – Gymnastics. His personality and confidence have captivated fans and earned him a prominent social media following. That presence is certainly clear here in Paris, with the crowd in the arena erupting at the conclusion of his floor routine at the end of the session.
Juda will join Richard in that all-around final after rising to the occasion in qualifying. The Illinois native was the definition of consistency while competing in the lead-off spot for Team USA in five of the six events.
An NCAA standout the past several years, Juda made an international statement at last year’s world championships. He contributed to the bronze medal-winning effort in the team competition and advanced to vault and high bar finals. While in Antwerp, Belgium, his success ignited the belief that he could make the team, along with his college teammate Richard.
“We were wrapping up and I just was like ‘Dude, let's make the Olympics together,’” said Juda. “For me, it was a huge momentous push. To have him here and to have him always pushing me, I can't describe it. It’s pretty legendary.”
Juda recently completed his fourth season at Michigan after sitting out the 2023 college season due to injury. He served as team captain the past two seasons, a role that has translated here as he continues to compete with Richard.
“I mean, that guy is insane,” said Juda. “I've said it before, and I'll keep saying it. We have a great dynamic and I hope that I've just been a big brother to him.”
Juda and Richard will have to channel their history of success together not just for the all-around final, but for Monday’s team final as well. The U.S. will compete against reigning Olympic silver medalists Japan as well as China and Great Britain, who both finished ahead of them at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. Breaking the U.S.' team medal drought is the top priority for the men, and they’ll have to rely on more than just strong performances from Juda and Richard to do so.
Brody Malone – the only returning Olympian on the team – had some uncharacteristic mistakes in the qualifications, including two falls on high bar where he is the reigning national champion. Hong also struggled on high bar but recorded strong numbers on parallel bars, floor, rings, and vault. Nedoroscik shined on pommel horse and will compete for a gold medal after qualifying with a tie of the top score heading into the event final.
“I think we know we have to do and when we do it, we're going get what we want,” said Richard of the team final. “We have a lot of room… definitely can’t make statements off of today. Personally, I’m not too worried. I believe in all of us and I think we’re going to be deadly in two days.”