Pommel Horse Isn’t Stephen Nedoroscik’s Only Obscure Talent

Stephen Nedoroscik was not exactly a sure thing to join the men’s artistic gymnastics team at the 2024 Paris Olympics. As an event specialist, his addition to the team didn’t come without questions and second-guessing. Despite that, Nedoroscik made the team, and he’s become its unlikely star. The Internet has dubbed him “pommel horse guy” and the Clark Kent of the gymnastics world. While he is best known for his gymnastics skills now, Nedoroscik doesn’t have just one obscure talent. In fact, the Penn State alum is a master of a complex puzzle.

Stephen Nedoroscik can solve a Rubik’s cube in less than 10 seconds

Thanks to his performance on the pommel horse, Stephen Nedoroscik is having a viral moment. While Nedoroscik is now known for his performance at the 2024 Olympics, he has more than one talent. Nedoroscik is also a Rubik’s Cube wizard. The 25-year-old, who graduated from Penn State with a degree in electrical engineering, can solve a Rubik’s Cube in under 10 seconds.

The Rubik’s Cube isn’t just a fun side hobby for the athlete, either. Apparently, it factored heavily into his Olympic rituals. According to Teen Vogue, Nedoroscik used the cube to keep his focus during the games and solved the puzzle before taking the stage each day. Solving the cube before performing became a superstition for the star. Nedoroscik told the publication that he solved the cube more than 100 times while waiting for his chance to perform. He believed he’d perform well if he could solve the puzzle in under 10 seconds. There must have been something to that because he did perform well.

How did the rest of the men’s gymnastics team perform?

The USA men’s gymnastics team took home a bronze medal for their performance in the team finals. While they walked into the competition hopeful that several team members could take home individual medals, as well, that did not happen. Nedoroscik is the only male American gymnast to win an individual event medal.

The USA women’s gymnastics team has produced far better results. The team took home the gold medal during the team competition. Simone Biles picked up three additional medals during individual competition. Suni Lee, Jordan Chiles, and Jade Carey added to Team USA’s medal count with individual wins of their own.

The gymnastics events for the 2024 Olympics have been completed. Team USA won 10 medals, including three gold, one silver, and six bronze.