In Pictures: Paul Juda emotional after brilliant performance in men's gymnastics finals to lead USA to first medal in 16 years at Paris Olympics

Paul Juda ended the USA men's gymnastics medal drought by winning at the Paris Olympics 2024 for the first time since 2008. He and his team proved formidable by winning bronze after a gap of 16 years, and Juda was visibly emotional after an incredible performance in his Olympic debut.

The team of Paul Juda, Brody Malone, Stephen Nedoroscik, and Frederick Richard grabbed the podium finish after scoring a total of 257.793 points. Japan clinched gold with a score of 259.594 and China claimed second place with a score of 259.062. The USA men's gymnastics team last won a medal (bronze) in 2008. Their last gold medal came in 1984.

Paul Juda, 23, delivered an impressive pommel horse routine that played a major role in the team's podium finish. The gymnast turned emotional and welled up after he completed the stunt, securing a score of 14.666. The NBC Olympics & Paralympics shared a post on X, highlighting the gymnast's emotions. The post's caption read:

"Paul Juda is feeling every emotion after his pommel horse routine."

Paul Juda opened up about his Paris Olympics mindset

Paul Juda was determined to shine bright at the Paris Olympics, having purchased an Olympic flag during his NCAA career and hanging it in his bedroom as a reminder. He took the flag with him to the dorm room of the University of Michigan, and it was with him through all the adversities of his career. He recently said (as quoted by The Detriot News):

"It was just there to remind me that.. I could be that one in a million."

After arriving in Paris for his Olympic debut, the gymnast said he had planned on remaining calm and steady for his performance.

"I'm going to be that guy that can just keep it steady, keep the pace and set the tone when needed," said Juda. "I don’t have the hardest gymnastics on the team, but we’ve all earned our own spots. We all have our own stories.”

The gymnast further revealed how he pursued gymnastics by pushing his mother until she enrolled him in the classes. The gymnast fell in love with the sport right away.

"I wanted to get in there and be like the older boys who were training without their shirts,” Juda said. “I pushed and pushed on those big glass doors until my mother signed me up for class. I loved it right away. It was a huge energy depletion for me, and I think I gave my mom fewer headaches after that.”