All heroes do not wear capes, but they sure do wear glasses. Touted as USA men’s gymnastics’ Clark Kent, Stephen Nedoroscik changed the complexion of US men’s gymnastics forever. When the women’s discipline reigned supreme with the likes of Simone Biles and Suni Lee emerging as the stalwarts, the men’s division was being threatened with being thrown into oblivion. With no significant big name to boast of, the US men’s gymnastics team also suffered from an Olympic medal drought that lasted for 15 years. 

Coming into Paris with a series of negatives, Stephen Nedoroscik and his team were the last bet for the US to save the men’s gymnastics discipline. Unfortunately, things began on a real somber note as the supposed favorite, Brody Malone, took some nasty falls on the horizontal bar, and just when all the chips were looking significantly down, the ‘Pommel horse guy’ came up with a 14.866 score to turn the tides and propel the USA men to an Olympic bronze after 15 years. Nedoroscik also clinched a bronze medal in the individual Pommel Horse final to further establish himself as a hero. 

Looking back at Nedoroscik’s performance, his mother seemed elated and could not be more proud. After the Olympic bronze for the men’s team, the interest in male gymnastics has seen a significant rise in the US. Speaking about how her son has transformed the dynamics, Mrs. Cheryll Nedoroscik said, “(The University of) Illinois was talking about dropping their men’s program but the coach thinks that Steve single-handedly saved their program for next year. The Sterling Academy of Gymnastics in Sterling, Massachusetts, where Stephen trained when he was here, has been inundated with so many young men that want to join the team now…Everybody’s talking about how enrollment is huge right now and I think a lot of that is because of Stephen and the USA Men’s Gymnastics Team.”

The Olympic bronze medalist’s mother further explained that, before the success in Paris, how things were rapidly declining for the US men’s gymnastics. She stated that back in the 80’s while there were 120 men’s gymnastics teams at the college level, the number came down to a mere 12 division one teams. And taking a more gloomy turn, Division Three only has four teams. Thankfully, all of these are now changing after the impeccable performance in Paris. Meanwhile, reflecting on the history made, Stephen Nedoroscik revealed a fascinating secret. 

Stephen Nedoroscik’s secret to Olympic triumph

Sometimes, apart from being hardworking, luck must play a small part in determining success. And that is exactly what happened with Stephen Nedeoriscik in the finals. As reported by People.com, Nedoroscik recently appeared on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Falon. Speaking of a happy coincidence, the Olympic bronze winner stated, “Usually you have a draw at a competition of what event you’re starting on, and we got really lucky for day one [because] our draw was pommel horse was first… So it’s a great example because I literally got to warm up last in the back gym and then immediately competed.”

Making the most of the opportunity presented, Nedoroscik grabbed it with both hands and nailed the Pommel Horse routine with a perfect dismount. Thus, after having broken the curse, Stephen Nedoroscik and his team are enjoying all the limelight back in the US. With a surge in interest in men’s gymnastics again, it is now up to Nedoroscik to ensure that they keep inspiring the upcoming batch of male gymnasts who would keep the US flag fluttering high on the global stage.