GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. (WOOD) — Paul Juda was 5 when he took up gymnastics. Now, he has goals like making the U.S. Olympic gymnastics team in Paris.
If he doesn’t, it won’t be from a lack of effort.
“I don’t want to get to that place and come up short because of a lack of preparation,” the University of Michigan gymnast said. “Because I know what that feels like.”
It takes a great deal of courage to chase a dream this big, but courage is something that runs in the Juda family.
“That’s probably my most important why. My parents made the most difficult decision ever,” Juda said.
Before he was born, Juda’s parents left their native Poland in search of a better life.
“To go from their home country to a place where they don’t know the language, for the betterment of their children,” Juda said. “I do everything because of that sacrifice.”
Their sacrifice has pushed Juda to heights few gymnasts reach: an NCAA All-Around Championship in 2022, and a team bronze at the World Championships last summer — the first for the U.S. since 2014.
“Making the world championships was awesome, but by being there, you get exposed to the best of the best,” Juda explained. “So that exposure to the best gymnastics and seeing where people are at really motivated me to say, ‘You know what, I still got a lot ahead of me, and there’s a lot more to do.'”
Especially this year. While Juda looks forward to the Olympic trials and the chance to make Team USA, he is competing with his teammates at Michigan for a national championship. He believes it’s the best way to prepare.
“Every single competition is nerve-wracking,” Juda said. “When you raise your hand before the judges, you want to perform well for your country or your teammates. Either way, it’s bigger than yourself.”
