Two Asian American gymnasts helped the men’s USA gymnastics team medal at the world championships for the first time in nine years, NBC Sports reports. The team earned a bronze medal after an incredible comeback.
This year’s world championships are being held in Antwerp, Belgium. The men’s team final was held on Tuesday, October 3. Five gymnasts competed for Team USA: Asher Hong, Paul Juda, Khoi Young, Yul Moldauer and Fred Richard. Hong, 19, and Maulder, 27, are Asian American.
The team was outside of medal contention halfway through the final, sitting in fifth place. According to NBC Sports, the team managed to power through their weakest event, the pommel horse, in the second to last rotation. The finished strong with performances from three rookies on high bar.
Team USA finished in bronze medal position with a total of 252.428. Japan won the gold medal with 255.594 points, and China finished in second place (silver) with 253.794.
Moldauer became the oldest man to win a world medal with the U.S. in 20 years, NBC Sports reports.
“It’s unreal,” Moldauer said, according to Olympics.com. “This has been a long journey.”
Moldauer will compete in the parallel bars event finals.
Hong qualified for the men’s all-around final, alongside his teammate Richard. He finished in 6th place at the 2022 World Championships. The 19-year-old will also compete in the vault and parallel bars event finals.
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