Olympian Fred Richard surges to the lead at the US men’s gymnastics championshipsBy Canadian Press on August 6, 2026. PHOENIX (AP) — Fred Richard put himself in position to win his first U.S. national championship, surging to the lead during night one of the men’s competition Thursday night. The 22-year-old, looking to bounce back this year after failing to make the U.S. men’s national team or world championship team in 2025, began the competition with a stellar parallel bars routine and remained in front despite taking a pair of neutral deductions. The judges on pommel horse also knocked three-tenths off his score after he failed to salute properly following his dismount. Richard will be challenged by the 19-year-old Leykin and 2020 Olympian Shane Wiskus, who is in third about a point behind the leaders going into Saturday.