FORT WORTH, Texas (AP) — Brody Malone is officially back.

The two-time national champion surged to the lead at the U.S. men’s gymnastics championships on Thursday, posting an all-around total of 85.950 to build a significant lead over Fred Richard and Donnell Whittenburg.

The 24-year-old Malone — a member of the 2020 Olympic team and a two-time world championship medalist — closed out his night with a 14.900 on the high bar, the same event where he suffered a major right knee injury in Germany in March 2023.

Wearing a bulky brace and a healthy amount of tape, Malone stuck his high bar dismount and let out a massive yell to celebrate after completing his first all-around competition in more than 14 months.

Richard, who earned bronze in the all-around at the 2023 world championships, overcame an iffy pommel horse routine to surge into second.