“Bronze team. Bronze horse. I am forever grateful to have had this opportunity,” wrote Stephen Nedoroscik after his stunning performance at the Paris Olympics. In just 45 electrifying seconds, Nedoroscik ended a 16-year drought for Team USA, securing a bronze medal in the men’s team finals. But the journey to that sweet victory was paved with more than just his 14.866 brilliance on the big day—it was also marked by a lucky break that set the stage for their success.

The story began on day one of the Men’s Artistic Gymnastics events, during the qualifications round. Team USA found themselves in the first subdivision, with Nedoroscik focused on a singular event. What followed was a stroke of fortune that Nedoroscik himself acknowledges as a pivotal moment. This unexpected twist during qualifications gave him an edge, a crucial stepping stone that led to the team’s ultimate triumph.

Curious about what this stroke of luck was? It’s a tale of timing, opportunity, and a bit of fate aligning perfectly for the newest ‘superman’ of Team USA. Nedoroscik’s journey to Olympic glory wasn’t just about skill—it was about seizing the moment when luck was on his side, propelling him and his team to a place on the podium.

Stephen Nedoroscik unleashes how fate played a lucky part

As per People.com, Nedoroscik who recently made an appearance at the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon, commented on how he a happy coincidence helped them on July 27. He said, “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.” Referring to the qualification round, he also added, “So it’s a great example because I literally got to warm up last in the back gym and then immediately competed.”

Right after warm up, Team USA started on the Pommel Horse, with Paul Juda going in first, followed by Fred Richard, Brody Malone, and then Nedoroscik. A routine combined with one-arm swings, slight leg form, but really good Russian circles to the end of the horse, gave him a strong lead and a 6.4 difficulty score. Nailing the dismount, he scored a 15.200, which placed him at the top of the table, until Rhys McCleneghan tied with him later during the final subdivision.

Well, for Nedoroscik this was a major plus point as unlike the delay he had in the team finals, he was straight onto the performing mats in the qualification. This may have ensured that his momentum and mindset remains intact. Moreover, it helped Team USA to qualify second behind Great Britain in their subdivision, putting 253.229 on the board. Entering the final day with this, they were finally able to clinch a bronze, after Nedoroscik sealed the finals with another wonder on the pommel horse. However, do you know another unique secret trick that fuels Team USA’s Clark Kent?

Nedoroscik’s quirky ritual and rise to stardom

“I probably solved it about 100 times, maybe even more than that. It’s a way for me to kill time and is also a stress relieve as well,” Nedoroscik recently revealed to Teen Vogue. Do you know what he’s talking about? Well, he’s speaking about a Rubik’s Cube. Yes, the 25-year-old replaced his mobile with it, right before the Pommel Horse events. Not just a means to calm his nerves, but Nedoroscik also looks at it as a good omen that follows him into his performances.

However, apart from his nerdy habits, Stephen Nedoroscik’s ‘superman’ routine and semblance has caught onto the public eye. In fact, Simone Biles herself got hooked to the trend, and ended up showing Nedoroscik his meme when the two met. And that, was his pinch-me moment! Taking to Instagram, he added a story saying, “SIMONE BILES SHOWED ‘POMMEL HORSE GUY’ A MEME OF HIMSELF IN OLYMPIC VILLAGE.” The enlarged fonts exhibited his towering enthusiasm clearly. And now, he reveals how the draw helped him perform optimally in the qualification. What do you think of Nedoroscik’s rise to the limelight? Let us know below.