Brody Malone, Now a Two-Time National Champion

By Joey Johnston

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The unflappable Brody Malone, now a two-time national champion in the all-around following his Saturday night U.S. Gymnastics Championships at Amalie Arena, said he’s looking forward to his non-raucous celebration.

He’s headed back to his Georgia home for an entire week.

“I’m going to sit on the couch and eat potato chips,’’ Malone said.

After crunching the field, Malone has earned that much.

With remarkable consistency and no weak events, Malone won with an overall score of 176.590, more than five points greater than second-place Donnell Whittenburg (171.571). Meanwhile, 18-year-old Asher Hong (171.210) took the bronze.

Malone is only the second male gymnast in the last decade — along with Sam Mikulak — to capture more than one national title. In the individual events, Malone was first in floor exercise and the high bar, while taking second in the pommel horse.

“Brody is just really, really, really good,’’ said Yul Moldauer, who finished fifth in the all-around competition. “He has no weaknesses. Plus, he’s just a great person. He’s one of my best friends out here. It’s great to see him succeed.’’

“Brody is someone to look up to,’’ Hong said. “He’s a leader.’’

With Mikulak retired, Malone is the obvious choice as the face of men’s U.S. gymnastics. He said Saturday night was “just another competition’’ and didn’t look for a deeper meaning in repeating at the U.S. champion.

He said he’s getting more comfortable with the associated attention and laughed about an NBC interview during last year’s competition, when he said he “completely choked.’

“Getting attention is not something I’m really comfortable with,’’ Malone said. “Hopefully, I’m getting a little better at it.’’

Mostly, he was happy to achieve a spot on the U.S. National Team, a springboard to the World Championships during October in Liverpool, England with the ultimate goal of reaching the 2024 Paris Olympics.

“I’ve never been to Paris,’’ said Malone, the Stanford University All-American. “I’ve kind of flown through it.’’

Now Malone is flying high as a two-time national champion.

U.S. National Team

The U.S. National Team members included Malone, Whittenburg, Hong, Moldauer, Fred Richard, Colt Walker, Shane Wiskus, Curran Phillips, Stephen Nedoroscik and Paul Juda.

Women’s Competition on Sunday

The final women’s competition will be held Sunday night beginning at 7 p.m. It will be carried live on NBC.