The Pommel Horse has always been the US men’s gymnastics team’s Achilles heel. But who would’ve thought that a 25-year-old Massachusetts native would swoop in and save the day when the nation needed him the most? Stephen Nedorosxcik, fondly known as the Clark Kent of Pommel Horse, has been honing his skills since high school. The specialist’s only job was the one apparatus during the men’s gymnastics final, who then went on to claim a bronze Olympic medal as their own. But the elite gymnast stepped into the Bercy Arena one last time on August 3 for the apparatus finals.

Deemed as the favorite going in, his astounding routine helped secure his maiden individual medal at the Summer Games. But no one believed in the wunderkind as much as his former coach, Randy Jepson, did. Watching his tutee 4,760 miles away, he was so sure the specialist would make it to the podium. “My wife was so nervous, she was pacing,” he told Newsweek. However, he reassured her that he would come through. When she pushed for a definitive answer, he just had one thing to say: “Just watch. I’ll know in the first two circles. If he does those well, he’s got it.” The prophecy had been fulfilled; Stephen Nedoroscik had done it!

The internet fell in love with his calm demeanor during the men’s gymnastics finals, and he did the same this time around too. He kept to himself, mentally preparing before he made his way to the mat. “We always try to keep our heart rate down and through that five minutes I’m sitting there, I’m just visualizing my routine over and over… that’s all I’m doing in my head.” The crowd in the stands went absolutely wild as soon as he stepped up to the apparatus.

After a mind-blowing performance in the event he specializes in, Nedoroscik scored an impressive 15.30. His compatriot, Brody Malone, celebrated with him as soon as he was done. After finding out his score was good enough for an Olympic bronze, the 25-year-old draped the American flag around his shoulders as he celebrated with Ireland’s Rhys McClenaghan, whose 15.533 clinched a gold. Nariman Kurbanov’s routine received 15.433, claiming an Olympic silver to his name.

Coming in clutch for the men’s gymnastics team

On July 29, the U.S. men’s team set their sights on claiming an Olympic medal for the nation. Reeling from a 16-year drought, the Final Five had one collective goal: making it to the podium. This time, though, it felt like that dream might finally come true. With a pommel horse specialist on their side, they were confident they could pull through. While 4 of the 5 members competed across all apparatuses, Nedoroscik was meditating on the side, patiently waiting for his turn on the mat.

Paul Juda’s astounding routine had given the team a slight push, but it was now time for Clark Kent to swoop in. In one brisk motion, his glasses were off his face, and he began. Not only did he execute a flawless routine, but Nedoroscik also delivered, scoring 14.866 on the apparatus. With this, Team U.S. won their first medal in the event, a bronze. But the 25-year-old didn’t just seal his team’s fate; he also had the highest score among the team during the finals. The quiet kid from Massachusetts had done it; he now bears the title of an Olympian.