Fred Richard Tops Danila Leykin In Night One At U.S. Championships
Fred Richard is one competition away from becoming the U.S. national champion. Richard won night one at the 2026 U.S. Championships in Phoenix, edging out rising star Danila Leykin by just 0.153.
Fred Richard secured the top spot in the men's senior elite division at the 2026 U.S. Championships after the first night, narrowly edging out rising star Danila Leykin by a mere 0.153 points. Richard, a 2023 World and 2024 Olympic medalist, overcame minor deductions in uniform and salute errors, while Leykin, a 19-year-old rising star, demonstrated impressive versatility by placing in the top five on four apparatuses.
Shane Wiskus rounded out the podium in third place. Individual apparatus leads included Patrick Hoopes on pommel horse, Asher Cohen on still rings, Yul Moldauer on parallel bars, Cooper Kim on high bar, and Kameron Nelson on vault. With just one competition away from becoming the U.S. National Champion, Richard leads the national field on floor exercise as well.
The final day of competition will determine the U.S. National Champion and set the stage for the 2026 World Championship Team selection.
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