Richard leads Malone after first day of US Olympic gymnastics trials [Video]

Fred Richard grabbed the all-around lead over national champion Brody Malone on Thursday, both edging closer to Paris Olympic berths as the US gymnastics trials opened.

Richard capped his night with an outstanding floor routine and also topped the high bar scores on the way to building an all-around total of 85.60.

Malone, the 2022 high bar world champion who earned his third national title earlier this month after returning from career-threatening knee injuries, totalled 85.10.

Shane Wiskus, who like Malone represented the United States at the Tokyo Olympics, was in third on 84.30 and Paul Juda fourth on 84.15.

Richard, a 20-year-old collegiate standout who helped the United States to world championships team bronze in Antwerp last year, and Malone were already top candidates for Paris berths.

Malone had staked his claim with an all-around victory over Richard at the US championships earlier this month — his first all-around …