“It’s decided! I’m breaking the backflip world record,” Frederick Richard announced on March 23, 2025. The 20-year-old gymnast posted a reel on his Instagram account to announce that he is going to attempt to break the world record for backflips in 24 hours, which currently stands at 1,001. However, the gymnastics star is not coming for 1002, “I gotta get some number way further so no one comes near it for a while,” he said, grinning like a man on a mission. Now it has been more than a month since he said that, and if you think he forgot about it, you couldn’t be more wrong.
Richard had announced that he was coming for the world record on May 2nd, and as the calendar hit May 1st, the 20-year-old made another Instagram post. Donning blue jeans and a white t-shirt with arms spread wide, Richard posed on the left side of a black background, while a bust shot of him in a Michigan jersey occupied the right and center. The text on top of the picture read, “FREDERICKFLIPS BACKFLIP WORLD RECORD.” Below the bust shot, the date and place were announced as well: “May 2nd, 2025, open to public: 5:00 pm – 8:00 pm, premier gymnastics, Stoughton, MA 02072.”
Now, if you think he is doing it for himself, just for kicks, you’d be wrong. The footer text of the picture read, “fundraising for gymnastics equipment for youth in Africa.” That is right, he is doing it so that he can raise money and buy gymnastics equipment for kids in Africa. Fred Richard aims to raise $100,000. For this, he would have to go beyond the current record of 1,001 backflips, which was set by Austrian athlete and parkour enthusiast Nico Scheicher in 2019.
Fred Richard captioned the post: “Less than 24 hours away from one of the hardest challenges of my life 1001 backflips in 24 hours is the current World Record. I plan to shatter this record and raise over $100k to get gymnastics equipment to kids in Africa. This event will be live-streamed on every platform. Let’s keep growing the sport Gofundme link in bio. #backflip #worldrecord #gymnastics #blackexcellence” The post was made in collaboration with the Instagram account, Clon Circus Uganda—an NGO helping orphan children build new hopes through performance arts, and education.
The organization also commented on the post, adding, “Yes Dear friends and followers please help us get better training equipment by donating something via Gofundme in Bio. Much love from @clon_circus_uganda as you donate to support our goals together with @frederickflips ” Fans are excited to see it unfold. However, some are also worried for the gymnast, like this fan saying, “Praying for your strength, health, and well-being.” Other than this, the fans have flooded the comment section with support for the gymnast.
Fans come in support of the gymnastics star’s world record-breaking attempt
There are 1,440 minutes in a day. And what Fred Richard aims at doing is more than 1002 backflips, which means he might have to do one backflip a minute continuously for 24 hours. While this can be easy early on in the challenge, the passing time will only make it harder. The more the backflips he does, the woozier he’ll get. For this feat to happen, he is going to require all the rest he can. You ought to agree with this fan who said, “I just hope you’re not going to be practicing all night!! Get extra sleep, and remember how many people are behind you!! Good luck!! We are so excited.”
The biggest plus point for the Olympic bronze medalist is that his backflips are backed by the fans’ support. Fans have been telling him “This. Is. Amazing! Keep it up brotha!!” while some of them have been “Cheering for you and the kids who deserve that new equipment!!“. Putting your well-being on the line to raise money for kids is a supreme act. Even if Richard doesn’t break the record but achieves his fundraising goal, it will definitely be a win.
One fan wrote, “Truly amazing! Massachusetts and the world is so proud of you ” Born and raised in Stoughton, Massachusetts, Richard has deep ties to his hometown. In August 2024, he returned to Stoughton to visit Gymfinity Sports, where he led a training session for young athletes. The community and Richard continue to uplift each other. With a gargantuan task ahead of him, he’ll need all the support he can get.
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