Olympic double bronze medalist Stephen Nedoroscik has earned the Team USA’s Clark Kent moniker. However, on Disney Night at Dancing with the Stars, the 25-year-old stepped into the shoes of another mythical hero, Hercules. The Olympian impressed judges and fans with yet another show of athleticism mixed with slick dance moves. However, the biggest surprise came during the team dance.

As part of Team Roar, Nedoroscik and DWTS partner Rylee Arnold joined highest scorers Danny Amendola and Witney Carson, and former Los Angeles Lakers star Dwight Howard and his partner Daniella Karagach. The three pairs of dancers grooved to ‘I Just Can’t Wait to Be King’ from Disney’s The Lion King. Yet all everyone could talk about was the final move of the team dance.

As the three pairs wrapped up their sections near the end of the number, they ended the routine with an explosive final move that saw Dwight Howard lift the Olympic medalist high in the air. The 6’10” pro basketball star hoisted Stephen Nedoroscik above the stage by his stomach. It was a reenactment of the iconic scene from The Lion King involving baby Simba.

Yet, as dazzling as it was, the move left the pommel horse specialist with gashes all over his elbows, arms, and even down his spine. “I mean, he’s got some good grip strength, and I have like bruises on my stomach from that lift,” the gymnast told EXTRATV during an exclusive interview. However, the move was worth it, as judges and fans stood impressed. Even USA Gymnastics praised the gymnast. “S̶t̶e̶p̶h̶e̶n̶ Simba Nedoroscik,” USAG posted on Instagram.

Rylee Arnold, who was “freaking out” during rehearsals, gave some insight into the moves. The 19-year-old pro explained that the gymnast needed to keep his core tight with an “arch” for Howard to grip him. And although “it kind of hurts your stomach a little bit,” confessed Arnold, it was worth it. The team dance helped Stephen Nedoroscik and Arnold reach 48 out of 60.

Nedoroscik-Arnold, Howard-Karagach, and Phaedra Parks-Val Chmerkovskiy were tied for the lowest individual scores with 24 out of 30. It’s safe to say that Team Roar’s Simba moment helped both Howard and Mr. Pommel Horse stay in the competition. That’s because Parks and Chmerkovskiy’s season 33 journey came to an end on Disney Night. However, the Lion King move wasn’t the only highlight of Nedoroscik’s night.

Another first for Stephen Nedoroscik during Disney Night

While Nedoroscik and Howard became the highlight of the night, the gymnastics icon loved stepping into the shoes of Hercules. The two-time bronze medalist wanted to embrace every aspect of portraying the Greek mythical demigod. So, in yet another first, Team USA’s pommel horse specialist stepped into a spray tanning booth for the first time.

The Olympian looked like a bodybuilder as he stood patiently while tanning. “(I) needed to match that Greek… what was the exact term? Olive oil skin is what they were saying. I just wanted to be able to be tan just like Hercules, and I wanted to be able to own the character,” revealed Stephen Nedoroscik. However, he also understood why bodybuilders put on tans before a show.

“It makes my muscles look good, so I’m happy with it,” added the gymnast as Rylee Arnold burst into laughter. Although the DWTS judges pointed out the timing mistakes in their routine, fans loved Nedorocik and Arnold’s Charleston to ‘A Star is Born’ from Disney’s Hercules. So it’s safe to say that the bruises were a small price to pay for a memorable experience on DWTS.