Stephen Nedoroscik has once again impressed the gymnastics world. Just days after captivating spectators in Paris and millions more globally, the American gymnast claimed a spot on the podium in the pommel horse event, the apparatus he aimed to master.
Nedoroscik initially gained attention when the U.S. men’s gymnastics team secured a bronze medal in the team final at the Paris Olympics. Now 25 years old, he was considered a fan favorite heading into the pommel horse finals on Saturday, although his path to a medal was not assured. The competition was fierce, with Kazakhstan’s Nariman Kurbanov competing first and scoring an impressive 15.433, surpassing the highest qualifying score.
Both Nedoroscik and Ireland’s Rhys McClenaghan had qualified with the leading score of 15.200. Max Whitlock from Great Britain, a two-time Olympic champion on the pommel horse, performed second but had a notable form mistake, resulting in a score of 15.200.
The stakes rose even higher when McClenaghan executed a remarkable routine, earning a score of 15.533 and taking the lead just before Nedoroscik was set to compete. Removing his glasses, Nedoroscik appeared composed, ready to make his move. As the only American gymnast in the individual events, he represented the last hope for the men’s team to secure another medal.
Under all that pressure, Nedoroscik delivered a score of 15.300, which secured him a bronze medal, marking his second medal of the Games.
The final standings were as follows:
1. Rhys McClenaghan (Ireland) – 15.533
2. Nariman Kurbanov (Kazakhstan) – 15.433
3. Stephen Nedoroscik (USA) – 15.300
4. Max Whitlock (Great Britain) – 15.200
5. Oleg Verniaiev (Ukraine) – 14.966
6. Takaaki Sugino (Japan) – 14.933
7. Woong Hur (South Korea) – 14.300
8. Loran de Munck (Netherlands) – 13.733
Nedoroscik, affectionately nicknamed “The Pommel Horse Guy,” gained popularity when he helped the U.S. men’s gymnastics team secure its first Olympic medal in 16 years. The bespectacled gymnast from Worcester, Massachusetts, remained composed as he awaited his turn during the team final, ultimately delivering a performance described as brilliant. His execution culminated in a score of 14.866, helping to energize the U.S. men’s gymnastics program ahead of the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.
The excitement surrounding his dismount quickly turned him into a social media sensation. Nedoroscik is known for his unique competing style, using specially designed goggles that stay in place while he performs. Fans have playfully likened him to the “Clark Kent” of pommel horse gymnastics, as he removes his thick-rimmed glasses before his routine and puts them back on immediately afterward to see.