Michigan’s very own Paul Juda entered the United States men’s gymnastics Olympic trials in Minneapolis with a lot to prove. However, despite being on the fringe, he quickly rose up the ranks with his exceptional skills and determination. Juda showcased his talent on June 27 and 29, leaving a lasting impression on the judges and spectators alike.
During the two-day event, the Deerfield, Illinois native had the meet of his life, achieving his goal with zero falls and completing all his routines. His outstanding performance saw him finish fourth in the all-round and secure top-five finishes in four events: second in floor, third in pommel horse, fourth in vault, and fifth in high bar. With his Olympic dream hanging in the balance, the selection committee was tasked with determining the five members and two alternates who will represent the U.S. in Paris from July 26-August 11, using an algorithm based on scores from the U.S. Championships and Olympic trials.
Fred Richard, a teammate of Juda’s from Michigan, was the only competitor among the 20 who did not have to experience the nerve-wracking wait inside Target Center for the committee’s decision. This is because he secured an automatic qualifying spot by clinching the first position in the all-around category and finishing among the top three in three other events.
Last week at Newt Loken Training Center in Ann Arbor, Juda shared his experience of being overwhelmed with emotions. He expressed, “My heart was out of my chest. I literally could not stand still. I knew that there was a chance. Like I’ve said before, ‘Yeah, there’s something on the line here. It’s your dream.’ I knew I put myself in a good position, but, oh my gosh, my heart’s pounding out of my chest like I feel my blood coursing through my veins.” His heart-wrenching experience reflects the passion and dedication he has towards his dream.
At only 23 years old, Juda had the shortest wait among the competitors as his name was the first to be announced. When his announcement was made during the NBC Sports broadcast, he became emotional and broke down in tears, overwhelmed with the realization that he had become an Olympian. The crowd inside Target Center witnessed the touching moment.
“When they called out my name, all the emotions hit me at once,” he expressed. He further added, “I realized in that one fraction of a second that my dream had been accomplished forever. There’s a quote that I have been keeping in my mind, ‘Once an Olympian, always an Olympian.’ It’s a dream come true, and I am grateful for it. I wish I could say that I went there being cool and confident that I would make it, but when they announced my name, it made the moment even more exceptional.”
In 2024, Juda had a stellar performance in college, clinching the NCAA title in floor exercise. He was the Big Ten Gymnast of the Year for two consecutive years, 2021 and 2022. Additionally, in 2022, he was crowned the NCAA all-around and vault champion, solidifying his status as a top gymnast in the league.
In addition to the highs, there were also some lows. One of them being when he had to redshirt in 2023 due to an injury, causing him to miss the entire season. However, the lowest point came during the U.S. Olympic trials in 2021, where he didn’t make the team or receive an alternate spot.
With a more experienced technique and approach, Juda has become a skilled gymnast. His efforts contributed to the USA’s achievement of a bronze medal at the 2023 World Championships, marking the country’s first team medal in nearly a decade. Additionally, Juda successfully made it to the finals in both vault and high bar events.
Juda revealed that in 2021, he was too fixated on making it to the team that he forgot to enjoy the journey. He admitted that he placed too much emphasis on becoming an Olympian that he didn’t even get to appreciate the stage. During the meet, he realized that he used to do it just for fun, but the pressure got the best of him. Coach Jordan Gaarenstroom reminded him that he should still be doing it for fun, and it’s not all about winning.
In hindsight, the speaker admits they didn’t fully grasp the significance of a particular statement in the past. However, this year, they made a conscious effort to appreciate every moment spent with the crowd. From hearing their name being called, to hugging fans and signing autographs, the speaker cherishes these interactions. While the competition was intense, focusing on living their dream and enjoying the experience helped ease the pressure.
Juda and Richard’s journey to the team wasn’t the end goal. Their aim is to bring home a medal from Ann Arbor. The USA men’s gymnastics team hasn’t won a medal since 2008 and hasn’t claimed gold since 2004. The team feels the pressure to break this dry spell and make history.
Juda expressed his uncertainty by saying, “I am feeling it, to be honest, but I cannot deny that we have an exceptional support system. Our team comprises some of the most talented individuals in the world, and we were chosen for a significant reason – to represent our nation with the utmost honor.”