Stephen Nedoroscik Strikes Again with Pommel Horse Bronze at the Paris Olympics
Days after dazzling crowds in Paris and captivating millions worldwide, American gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik made it to the podium once more in his specialty event, the pommel horse.
Nedoroscik first captured America’s heart when the U.S. men’s gymnastics team won the bronze medal in the team final at the Paris Olympics.
The 25-year-old was a fan-favorite heading into Saturday’s pommel horse event finals, but a medal was far from guaranteed. He faced tough competition, with Kazakhstan’s Nariman Kurbanov setting a high bar with a score of 15.433, surpassing the top qualifying score.
Nedoroscik and Ireland’s Rhys McClenaghan had tied with the highest qualifying score of 15.200.
Max Whitlock of Great Britain, a two-time Olympic gold medalist on pommel horse, competed second. Despite a significant form break, he earned a score of 15.200.
The competition for gold intensified when McClenaghan delivered an impressive routine, earning a staggering 15.533 and taking the lead just before Nedoroscik’s turn.
Nedoroscik, looking calm and collected, was the last competitor. The only American to qualify for an individual event, this was the men’s team’s final chance to secure another medal in France.
Under immense pressure, Nedoroscik scored a 15.300, clinching the bronze medal and his second of the games.
Final Scores:
1. Rhys McClenaghan (IRL) – 15.533
2. Nariman Kurbanov (KAZ) – 15.433
3. Stephen Nedoroscik (USA) – 15.300
4. Max Whitlock (GBR) – 15.200
5. Oleg Verniaiev (UKR) – 14.966
6. Takaaki Sugino (JPN) – 14.933
7. Woong Hur (KOR) – 14.300
8. Loran de Munck (NED) – 13.733
Five Things to Know About “The Pommel Horse Guy”
Stephen Nedoroscik, also known as “The Pommel Horse Guy,” became a household name when he helped the U.S. men’s gymnastics team secure its first Olympic medal in 16 years.
The bespectacled Olympian from Worcester, Massachusetts, waited patiently during the men’s team final for his turn on the pommel horse, the only event he competed in Paris. When his moment came, he delivered a flawless 45-second performance.
Scoring 14.866, he ended on a high note, boosting the U.S. men’s gymnastics program as it looks ahead to the 2028 Games in Los Angeles.
“When the time came, I thought, ‘All right, let’s do this,’” Nedoroscik said.
His celebration began before his feet even touched the mat, making him an instant sensation on social media.
Nedoroscik typically competes with special goggles that stay on as he swings around the apparatus. Fans have nicknamed him the Clark Kent of pommel horse because he removes his thick-rimmed glasses before his routine and quickly puts them back on afterward to see.
After winning bronze in the team event, Nedoroscik expressed his joy at being the last gymnast to compete with a medal on the line. Hear from him and his teammates as they reflect on their achievements.