Current:Home > reviewsUS gymnast Paul Juda came up big at Olympic qualifying. But 'coolest thing is yet to come' -GrowthSphere Strategies
US gymnast Paul Juda came up big at Olympic qualifying. But 'coolest thing is yet to come'
View
Date:2025-04-15 14:06:56
PARIS — Paul Juda will forever be an Olympian and that in itself is a cool thing.
As is U.S. men's gymnastics teammate Frederick Richard always tells him, however, why do the cool thing when you can do the cooler thing? And there are few things cooler than having the meet of your life at the Olympics.
“Today would have been one of those things where I got to say, 'I got to do the all-around at the Olympics.’ But then to be making the all-around final, I think that’s the cooler thing,” Juda said. “And, you know, the coolest thing is yet to come.”
Juda joining Richard in Wednesday’s all-around final would have seemed improbable not long ago. Not just because it required a dismal performance by three-time U.S. champion Brody Malone, normally one of the steadiest competitors there is.
2024 Olympic medals: Who is leading the medal count? Follow along as we track the medals for every sport.
Six weeks ago, Juda was firmly on the bubble for the Olympic team. was part of the squad that won the bronze medal at the 2023 world championships, breaking a nine-year medal drought. He also was the NCAA all-around champion in 2022.
But gymnastics is often as much about math as it is skill, and there were scenarios where Juda, who is solid everywhere but not necessarily spectacular anywhere, wasn’t in the highest-scoring team. Juda made himself indispensable to the U.S. team with his steadiness, however.
And boy, did the United States need it Saturday.
Juda was the lead-off on all but one event. It’s a high-pressure spot; do a good routine, and it gets the team off and running. Struggle, or fall, and it puts pressure on the other three gymnasts because teams can only drop one score.
But time and again, Juda delivered. He got the U.S. men going with a solid routine on pommel horse, traditionally one of their worst events, and his 13.6 became more important after Malone fell. He scored 13.333 or better on every event — only Richard did better — and the U.S. counted four of his six scores.
Through four events, he was actually the highest-scoring American.
Get Olympics updates in your texts! Join USA TODAY Sports' WhatsApp Channel
“Hard work pays off,” Richard said of Juda, who is also his teammate at Michigan. “Watching someone close to you, watching their hard work pay off, is a very satisfying, exciting feeling.”
Juda finished with 82.865 points, fourth-best after the first of three subdivisions. The top 24 gymnasts, with a maximum of two per country, make the final, so Juda is in good shape, even with powerhouses Japan and China still to come.
The U.S. men were second to Britain. But they, too, should make the eight-team final.
“Once you make that Olympic team, you feel like you have a little bit more to give,” Juda said. “Training has been phenomenal the last couple of days and to be where I am today is just a result of all the people behind me. Myself, my team, everyone. So it was a great day.”
And emotional, too. Though, with Juda, that’s a given.
The 23-year-old was an unabashed puddle when the Olympic team was announced, and he was still teary a day later.
“I can’t help crying sometimes,” he said then. “Anytime somebody says 'Olympian,’ you just get that warm and fuzzy feeling.”
More:How U.S. Olympic women's gymnastics team shattered age stereotype: 'Simone changed that'
On Saturday, Juda heard his girlfriend, fellow Michigan gymnast Reyna Guggino, cheering as he readied for pommel horse. After he finished, he found her in the crowd along with his family and friends, several of whom were waving blown-up photos of his face.
His parents were sporting temporary tattoos of the same photo, and Juda said his Dad had bought new shirts for the trip.
“I got a little emotional right after the pommel horse because I was like, they're all here. They all flew like hundreds and thousands of miles to come see me and it costs a lot of money. Twenty-plus people here, supporting your dream,” Juda said, choking back tears. “Pretty sweet.”
Doing the cool thing would have been fine. Doing the cooler thing was so much better, both for Juda and the U.S. men.
Follow USA TODAY Sports columnist Nancy Armour on social media @nrarmour.
veryGood! (5)
Related
- Federal court filings allege official committed perjury in lawsuit tied to Louisiana grain terminal
- Pregnant Jessie James Decker Enjoys Beach Trip With Big Daddy Eric Decker
- Kenny Albert takes on New Year's broadcasting twin bill of Seahawks, Kraken games
- RFK Jr. meets signature threshold in Utah to qualify for ballot
- Taylor Swift makes surprise visit to Kansas City children’s hospital
- Kim Zolciak Shares Message on Letting Go in 2024 Amid Kroy Biermann Divorce
- Rihanna and Kyle Richards Meet While Shopping in Aspen Just Before the New Year
- Authorities beef up security for New Years Eve celebrations across US after FBI warnings
- What were Tom Selleck's juicy final 'Blue Bloods' words in Reagan family
- Pregnant Jessie James Decker Enjoys Beach Trip With Big Daddy Eric Decker
Ranking
- Nearly 400 USAID contract employees laid off in wake of Trump's 'stop work' order
- Buy the Gifts You Really Wanted With 87% Off Deals on Peter Thomas Roth, Tarte, Peace Out & More
- RFK Jr. meets signature threshold in Utah to qualify for ballot
- Browns vs. Jets Thursday Night Football highlights: Cleveland clinches AFC playoff berth
- Mets have visions of grandeur, and a dynasty, with Juan Soto as major catalyst
- Retailers shuttered 4,600 stores this year. Here are the stores that disappeared.
- More than 100 anglers rescued from an ice chunk that broke free on a Minnesota river
- Maine secretary of state who opted to keep Trump off primary ballot is facing threat of impeachment
Recommendation
Macy's says employee who allegedly hid $150 million in expenses had no major 'impact'
Red Wings' 5-8 Alex DeBrincat drops Predators 6-1 defenseman Roman Josi in quick fight
Airstrikes hit camps in central Gaza as Biden administration approves new weapons sales to Israel
Eiffel Tower closes as staff strikes and union says the landmark is headed for disaster
Former longtime South Carolina congressman John Spratt dies at 82
A woman who burned Wyoming’s only full-service abortion clinic is ordered to pay $298,000
Bowl game schedule today: Breaking down the four college football bowl games on Dec. 30
Is California Overstating the Climate Benefit of Dairy Manure Methane Digesters?