Stephen Nedoroscik not only clinched the bronze medal for Team USA during the men's gymnastics team final Monday, but he also accomplished another difficult feat: he became a meme.
In a sport where most athletes typically compete in multiple events, Nedoroscik has taken a completely opposite approach. Since the waning days of his high-school career, he has competed only on pommel horse − emerging as one of the best athletes in the world on this one apparatus, even at the apparent expense of the other five.
In arguably the most pressure-packed situation that one could imagine in men's gymnastics − the last routine of the last rotation of the Olympic final − Nedoroscik delivered in a big way Monday night, putting together a smooth, confident showing on pommel horse that wrapped up the bronze medal for the U.S. men's gymnastics team .
It was his only event of the night, on the apparatus he's practiced exclusively for years. And when it was over, his teammates hoisted him into the air, and he raised his hands above his head.
"It was just the greatest moment of my life, I think," Nedoroscik said.
You can watch his full routine, which earned him a score of 14.866, below.
Social media reaction to Stephen Nedoroscik
Before his routine, Nedoroscik was shown with his head resting on a wall and his eyes closed, appearing to take a moment to focus. The image became the source of many jokes on social media.
His pommel horse routine, and the clinching of the bronze medal for USA Gymnastics, also earned Nedoroscik the admiration of many social media users.
Contributing: Craig Meyer, USA TODAY Network
Gabe Hauari is a national trending news reporter at USA TODAY. You can follow him on X @GabeHauari or email him at Gdhauari@gannett.com.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Video shows Stephen Nedoroscik crush the pommel horse, clinch bronze for USA gymnastics
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