You know how sometimes the smallest decisions become the biggest statements? That’s exactly what happened when Fred Richard stepped onto the mat at the Winter Cup 2025. “History was made. Thanks for all the support,” he posted afterward, but he wasn’t talking about his flawless execution or his medal count. No, Fred had just broken a 130-year tradition in men’s gymnastics by refusing to wear the standard-issue singlet that had defined the sport for generations. Instead, there he was, one of America’s top gymnasts, competing in a loose tank top, shorts, and specialized pommel horse pants, which led cameras to zoom in, commentators to stumble over their words, and social media to explode. But when everyone expected him to make the same bold statement at the next major championship, something shifted. Fred showed up differently!
Everyone thought they had Fred figured out. He’s the guy who breaks the mold and is always making a statement, right? But April 4th in Ann Arbor? Fred flipped the script. The energy at Crisler Center was electric that night. Fans were on their feet, phones out, waiting for something big. Then Fred walked out, and boom, surprise number one. He was back in Michigan’s classic singlet. No flash, no personal twist. Just old-school, clean lines. You could feel the shift!
Nobody knew why he made the switch, but one thing was clear: Fred was all business. He started on the floor and hit a smooth 13.300. Not flashy, but rock solid. Then came the pommel horse: his event. And yeah, he delivered big by scoring a season-high of 14.100. That set the tone for Michigan, and their team score on the event was the highest they’ve had all season. From there, it was all momentum. On parallel bars, Fred grabbed a 14.500, second place overall. But the real moment?
The all-around title was on the line. Fred was trailing his teammate Paul Juda in the all-around by just half a point. Everything came down to the bars. Fred, last up for Michigan, mounted the bar. And then, nailed it. Smooth, high-difficulty, confident. He posted a 14.100. Won the event. Won his third straight Big Ten all-around title. The first Wolverine to do that since Rick McCurdy back in 1969-71.
Michigan wins its fifth-straight Big Ten title by a margin of nearly 7 points over Penn State! #NCAAgym pic.twitter.com/002F8wdoh4
— Gymnastics Now (@Gymnastics_Now) April 5, 2025
Michigan locked in the team championship too, 330.750 points and their fifth straight Big Ten crown. But the real question is why Fred Richard didn’t wear broke the mold at Big Ten Championships!
Fred Richard had his reasons
Remember when Fred Richard shocked the gymnastics world by ditching the traditional singlet at the Winter Cup? Well, why did he suddenly reappear in the old uniform at the Big Ten Championships? Well, he had his reasons!
“Even though I hate this uniform, I still have to wear it,” Fred revealed in a candid Instagram video posted by INSIDE GYM. “After my last competition, everybody’s wondering, why isn’t he wearing the new uniform? He did all this, and now he’s in the old one.” The answer? It wasn’t about backing down, but it was about his team. “I still gotta wear the old uniform for anything with the team,” he explained. “I don’t want them to get deducted too, which is what happens if I wear it. So anything for the team, I’m a sacrifice.”
But don’t think for a second he’s giving up the fight! “I want the freedom, the innovation, the style, but there’s no way I’m giving up yet,” Fred insisted with determination burning in his eyes. What’s his game plan moving forward? He’s already taking action behind the scenes! “That was the first motto, and we’re going to keep making these tweaks. I’ve talked in a couple meetings with USAG, we’re getting them on board with supporting this push for the international. We’ve got college talking about making new rules.”
Fred sees this as just the opening chapter of a longer story. “It’s going to be a very long process. I got a long future ahead of me, but this sport will be in a different place by the end of it. This is just the beginning.”
The post US Gymnast Fred Richard Holding Back on Breaking 130-Year-Old Tradition Pays Off as Michigan Wolverines Clinch Major NCAA Title appeared first on EssentiallySports.