Stephen Nedoroscik: Internet Sensation and Olympic Hero, AKA “Pommel Horse Guy”
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Move over, Clark Kent, there's a new hero in town! Gymnast Stephen Nedoroscik not only became an Olympic medalist but has also captured the internet's heart as the one and only “Pommel Horse Guy.” His journey from the sidelines to stardom is nothing short of legendary, blending athletic prowess with a touch of endearing nerdiness.
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Nedoroscik earned his place on the U.S. Olympic team thanks solely to his jaw-dropping pommel horse routine. This week, he became an online sensation after spending nearly three hours on the sidelines during the first five rotations before stepping up and nailing his specialty event. Viewers couldn’t get enough of him, and his transformation from a sidelined spectator to a routine-crushing champion was pure gold for the internet. Social media went wild, sharing images of Nedoroscik patiently waiting, then dominating his routine. Fans affectionately dubbed him "Pommel Horse Guy."
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The internet's favorite comparison? Stephen Nedoroscik as Clark Kent, the mild-mannered alter ego of Superman, because of his signature glasses. NBC’s Olympic and Paralympic coverage on X (formerly Twitter) didn’t miss a beat, crowning him “the Clark Kent of pommel horse!” Nedoroscik, a Penn State alum with a degree in electrical engineering, embraced the comparison with a big grin.
“It’s an awesome comparison,” he told NBC's TODAY show. “I’ll definitely take that. It’s kind of like that in a way. I’m a goofy guy with glasses, but when I take them off, I’m all business.”
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Adding to his mystique, Nedoroscik shared in an August 2022 TikTok video that he’s cross-eyed and can switch his dominant eye. Talk about a superpower! Before his routine, he takes off his glasses to prevent them from flying off mid-performance. He explained to TODAY that his gymnastics is all about feeling. “I don’t even really see when I’m doing my gymnastics,” he said. “It’s all in the hands. I can feel everything.”
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Among those cheering him on was author and social media personality John Green, who hailed Nedoroscik's performance as a major win for nerds everywhere. Green’s enthusiastic post on X read, "People who aren’t nerds don’t understand how long we’ve been waiting for an electrical engineer from Pennsylvania to POMMEL THE HELL OUT OF A HORSE."
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Stephen Nedoroscik’s story is the perfect blend of skill, dedication, and charm. His ability to stay cool under pressure and his lovable off-the-mat personality have won him fans across the globe. As he continues to compete, Nedoroscik’s combination of technical brilliance and unique character will undoubtedly keep him in the spotlight, both in the gymnastics world and online.
His rise from a specialist waiting in the wings to a viral sensation underscores the magic of the Olympics – creating heroes we didn’t know we needed. Stephen Nedoroscik might have started as a gymnast with a niche focus, but he’s emerged as an Olympic hero and the internet’s darling. His story reminds us that sometimes, the most unforgettable moments come from those we least expect. And in Nedoroscik’s case, it’s a guy who turned a pommel horse routine into a global phenomenon.