Brody Malone, the two-time Olympian and reigning U.S. all-around champion, will miss next week's Xfinity U.S. Championships.
He is taking the season off to rest and recover, a representative for Malone said in an email. Malone, who has won multiple national all-around titles, still plans to attend nationals in Phoenix to cheer on his teammates.
The 2024 Olympic bronze medalists Frederick Richard and Stephen Nedoroscik will be among those he will be supporting. Malone won his second world title on high bar last October, two and a half years after severely injuring his right knee on a high bar dismount fall.
This injury has been a significant setback for Malone, who became the third American man to win multiple career gold medals in World Gymnastics Championships history. He joins a select group of athletes that includes Kurt Thomas, who won three titles in 1978 and 1979, and Paul Hamm, who won two titles in 2003.
Malone and his teammate Asher Hong have combined to win the last five U.S. all-around titles. However, Hong's status for the upcoming championships is uncertain, as he has not yet registered for the event. Athletes have until Friday to sign up.
Hong, another 2024 Olympian, was not on the list of registered gymnasts as of Monday. The absence of both Malone and Hong will be a significant blow to the U.S. team's chances of success at the championships.
Their absence will also give younger gymnasts an opportunity to step up and make a name for themselves. Yul Moldauer, the only other active man to have won a national all-around title, is one such athlete who will be looking to make a statement.
The U.S. team is still a strong contender for the championships, with a talented group of gymnasts vying for the top spot. However, the loss of Malone and potentially Hong will be a significant challenge for the team to overcome.
The championships are set to take place next week in Phoenix, and fans will be eager to see which gymnasts can rise to the challenge.
Source: Yahoo Sports