The Worcester’s Stephen Nedoroscik waited his whole life for just one routine. The pommel horse expert was able to nail it

American professional in pommel horse Stephen Nedoroscik helped deliver the U.S. men’s gymnastics team’s first Olympic medal for the team since 2008.

Sam Mikulak pulled Stephen Nedoroscik close, and then tasked Stephen Nedoroscik, the American pommel horse expert with a task that seemed impossible.

Ahead of the U.S. men’s gymnastics team’s first Olympic medal in the last 16 years, a single routine away, Mikulak informed the pommel horse specialist there was no need to be a complete swathe of a competitor. The 80% mark would be sufficient, even though Mikulak was aware that Nedoroscik doesn’t do anything in his life — from sports to solving the Rubik’s Cube — with 80percent.

“You must be able to fool your self,” said Mikulak, an three-time Olympian who became a coach. “You’ve to be sure you don’t let all that noise in your mind.”

It’s not a major issue for the 25-year old from Worcester, Massachusetts. It requires a certain level of focus to make the decisions Nedoroscik made over the past decade, as it was his decision to devote himself to only one thing by focusing his attention on an event that’s been a problem in this U.S. National team’s men’s.

There is a certain monotony. What could be more boring?

“I am not sure what I can do to prevent losing my head,” Nedoroscik said before the Games. “But every single day, I go to the gym, and there’s always something I can accomplish. There’s always room for improvement.”

No more.

Proving an argument

He practiced his set during qualifying on Saturday, which earned him an appearance in the finals of the event later at the Games. On Monday it was different. Four teammates Frederick Richard, Brody Malone, Paul Juda and Asher Hong have put together 17 consecutive sets without missing a beat, putting the Americans in a position to make it to the medal line in the very first time since the year 2008 during the 2008 Olympics in Beijing.

Although Nedoroscik did have some space — his U.S. had a fairly comfortable lead following Juda and Malone began their sets prior to when Nedoroscik greeted the judgesbut he wanted to not just hang to. He was determined to prove his point.

Not just to himself but also to all anyone who was wondering whether he really deserved to be there at all.

What ensued were 45 seconds of utter elegance, with Nedoroscik’s hands moving from one side on the horse’s back to next and his legs moving across the field, and back again.

Just a only a few steps away from his four teammatesalong with the significant number in U.S. fans inside Bercy Arena were roaring as the medal, which seemed far away for a team which had placed only a fifth place in its last three games in the rings. However, it got closer.

When Nedoroscik was close to his exit, he knew his work was done. The celebration started before his feet had even touched the mat.

All the years and all those reps both mental and physical as well as the moments when he was unsure of whether he should keep going and all the quirks that which he’s cultivated over time from the non-prescription glasses that he occasionally wears to the chef’s kiss, to the camera he sometimes uses that led to the moment.

And he didn’t make a mistake, hitting “the punctuation” with 14.866. 14.866 to cap off an effort that in which U.S. men’s team hopes will provide a significant boost heading into the 2028 Olympics to be held in Los Angeles.

“I sort of at that point was thinking”All right, let’s just run it back and get out and get to work”” Nedoroscik explained.

The need to fill a gap

An “thing” is for a long time been a source of contention to America. U.S. in major international competitions. It was the 2012 Olympic team was the top in the qualifying. They took off on the pommel horse in the finals only to see their hopes of winning medals vanish with each mistake.

Nedoroscik was aware of the history. This is one reason that he was drawn to pommels. Another reason is that it takes a lot of things such as strength, endurance and stamina foremost among them which he is blessed with especially that last one.

He calls himself an “late bloomer” regarding the occasion. These early struggles let him push ahead.

“Running into trouble with the apparatus at first taught me combat, and how keep on the line, and how to take on the practice,” he said. “And I’m sure that is something that has stayed with me through the years.”

Contrary to other sports that are meticulously planned and practiced for months, if not years, the pommel horse permits gymnasts to play outside of the lines and come up with their own ideas out of their own accord as they move. Did you miss an element? Maybe you could come up with something different in the future.

The end result is a feeling of “flying across the sky,” though it’s more like the illusion of levitation.

There is still work to be completed

Nedoroscik will be flying into the finals of the event on Saturday and have the chance to secure a medal into his carry-on bag before heading home. The 15.200 qualifying score was tied with the Irish’s Rhys McClenaghan for the tops of the eight finalist.

He’s prepared to take the wave however far it may take him. But whatever happens on Saturday, or for the remainder of his life it’s going to be difficult to surpass Monday night’s performance, in which the person who had curly hair and glasses that gave him the social media star that only the Olympics can provide struck a hit to his team, his sport and for himself. (Scroll down for more media reactions to Nedoroscik’s performances.)

“I’m very happy for these athletes,” he said while in the same spot with the team which has become U.S. men’s gymnastics royalty. “I really love you guys.”

Social media outpouring

Nedoroscik’s Olympic preparation and performance generated an instant social media buzz. Here are some reactions across the web: