Team USA’s Pommel Horse specialist has hit the bull’s eye! On July 27, Stephen Nedoroscik debuted on the Olympic mats and stunned the world! He had aimed for the top spot in the apparatus where he commands a stronghold: the Pommel Horse (PH), and as of day 1, he quite well managed to attain that. But wait, Nedoroscik has an Irish double-world champion climb up to a joint-high score, ready to give the American a run for his money in the finals!

Day 1 of the Men’s Artistic Gymnastics events in the Bercy Arena, featured qualification rounds categorized in 3 subdivisions. And by the start of the day, looking at the Pommel Horse tally, it appeared that USA’s Olympic newcomer Nedoroscik had trashed his opponents, soaring highest on the table. But by the time the third subdivision came up, a veteran joined him, pulling off a spectacle!

Stephen Nedoroscik looks in good shape to clinch the gold

As of qualification round 1 standings in the PH category, Stephen Nedoroscik had sailed the highest, with a figure of 15.200, with a 6.4 D score. With this, he led the first subdivision, featuring 3 other countries: Great Britain, Canada, and Germany in the league. But, featuring in the third subdivision, Rhys McClenaghan, a gymnast representing Ireland equaled scores with the top ranker. With a 6.300 D score and a 8.900 execution score, he matched up to Nedoroscik’s 15.200. Well, this higher execution score could have landed Rhys the gold in a finale, despite the level scores.

As for Nedoroscik, he did a brilliant job, coming in just after Brody Malone had two terrible falls in the Arena and injecting the enthusiasm as he started well. He broke his performance open with two one-arm swings, wherein the first one seemed beyond reproach. However, the second one had a minor leg form. Nonetheless, by the end of it, the skilled splendor he pulled on the horse, with a perfect dismount, won him a strong 15.200.

In fact, Nedoroscik, who had stamped his Paris ticket at Target Center with a 29.3, was in such great shape on day 1 that he edged out, Max Whitlock, the Brit star who followed the subdivision tally with a 15.166. Notably, Nedoroscik’s form eclipsed this reigning Pommel Horse Olympic champion from Tokyo, who is an elite performer in the apparatus. Whitlock even bagged the apparatus gold in Rio, while clinching the bronze at the London Games. But this year, Nedoroscik is a mighty challenge to his throne!

Speaking of the second subdivision in particular, no one could match up to the tall score that Nedoroscik set up. This qualification round featured China, Japan, Netherlands, and Ukraine, who closed the Pommel Horse tally with the highest 15.033, attained by Takaaki Sugino, a fierce Japanese contender. Tied up for the spot with him is Ukraine’s Oleg Verniaiev, with an identical 15.033. And following behind was Nariman Kurbanov with a clean 15.000, Woong Hur with 14.900, and finally Loran deMunck with 14.766.

It’s redemption time for Nedoroscik

At the US Olympic Trials 2024 in Minneapolis, Nedoroscik could hear his thoughts. “If you put this dismount up, you’ll make the Olympic team,” a voice echoed in his mind. Shortly, he nailed the performance and sealed his ticket to the French capital. And evidently, his winning spree continues here! But was it always this easy for the budding gymnast? Well no. He has trailed through the tough days to smell sweet success! One example was his Tokyo heartbreak when he missed the 2021 Olympic team qualification.

Clearly, his journey was not as easy as his 45 seconds on the PH usually look. In fact, in the last 4 years, he recalls how his approach towards the game has changed. “It definitely served as some motivation,” he mentioned in an exclusive interview with Worcester Telegram & Gazette. But the same year, at the Kitakyushu World Championships, he became the first American gymnast to be titled champion in the Pommel Horse at the Worlds. Evidently, America’s hopes are pinned on him in this division, and as of now, it seems he might pass out with flying colors.