Stephen Nedoroscik has always played by his own rules. He broke the mold as the first American man to win a world title on pommel horse at the World Artistic Gymnastics Championship in 2021, then proved he had the rhythm to match his routines with a breakout run to the finals on Dancing with the Stars. But just when fans thought he might be easing back into gymnastics, he’s made another unexpected pivot—this time to one of the most unlikely arenas for an Olympic gymnast: competitive chess.
Well, yes—Stephen Nedoroscik, the former Penn State gymnast, is now stepping into the world of chess. You might remember him from his epic pommel horse bronze at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he was coached by Syque Caesar, Sam Mikulak, and Kevin Mazeika. But now, instead of perfecting dismounts, Stephen is sharpening his mind for something completely different: PogChamps 6, the biggest online chess tournament out there.
So, what exactly is PogChamps? Well, it’s a wild mix of content creators, pro athletes, and chess lovers, all competing for a $100,000 prize pool. The tournament kicked off on April 29, 2025, and spans four days of intense chess battles. Stephen’s one of 12 participants, alongside athletes like Eberechi Eze and streamers like Ludwig. And don’t let his gymnastics background fool you—he’s serious about this. He’s been training with none other than Swedish-Spanish Woman FIDE Master Anna Cramling, who’s been coaching him through this whole process. In fact, Stephen even reshared a story from Anna, wishing him good luck for the event. It’s clear: he’s putting in the work.
In the story, Stephen Nedoroscik is all smiles in a Team USA shirt, glasses on, holding a big “Team USA” tumbler, ready to take on the chessboard. The caption reads: “POGCHAMPS COACHING WITH @stephen_nedo wish him good luck tomorrow!” It’s exciting, but it’s more than just a fun side gig for him. With Anna’s guidance, Stephen is bringing the same competitive edge that earned him Olympic glory to the chessboard. But can he?
Well, he is undoubtedly an intelligent man! He is a brilliant puzzle enthusiast, particularly skilled in speedcubing. He has demonstrated impressive feats, such as solving a standard 3×3 Rubik’s Cube in 8.664 seconds and a public demonstration on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in 15.42 seconds. Nedoroscik sees puzzle-solving as more than a hobby, saying, “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 reliever.” But at the same time, he is no stranger to career reinvention.
Stephen Nedoroscik’s unlikely DWTS journey
Stepping away from competition, the Olympian assumed an unexpected role when Stephen Nedoroscik co-hosted Dancing with the Stars Live Tour Season 34. The emotions ran high for Nedoroscik when he bid adieu to the DWTS stage on April 6th. He took to social media to express his gratitude, writing, “What a privilege it is to be sad when something ends, thank you so much Dancing With The Stars.”
In a longer post on Instagram, he reflected on the incredible experience, saying, “I am so blessed to have spent these last 108 days cohosting the Dancing With The Stars Live Tour. Thank you to everyone who made this tour possible, together you all made it so enjoyable.” but at the same time, it’s hard to forget that just last season, Nedoroscik, a gymnast with no prior dance experience, was part of the DWTS show.
After clinching two bronze medals in the pommel horse event at the 2024 Paris Olympics, and helping Team USA break the 16-year-long medal drought, Stephen Nedoroscik transitioned from elite gymnastics to the dance floor on Dancing with the Stars (DWTS) Season 33. Despite having no prior dance experience, Nedoroscik embraced the challenge. Along with his DWTS partner, Rylee Arnold, the Olympian delivered one standout performance after another, finishing fourth. However, amid the glitz and celebratory moments on Dancing with the Stars, his journey was marked by significant challenges.
Diagnosed with strabismus and colobomas, Stephen Nedoroscik faced visual impairments that affected his depth perception and sensitivity to light. These conditions made everyday activities, including driving, difficult. However, he found solace in indoor activities like gaming and gymnastics, eventually excelling on the pommel horse, where tactile feedback guided his movements. However, transitioning to DWTS presented new hurdles. Nedoroscik admitted to being “terrified” about joining the show, acknowledging his lack of dance experience and the pressure of public scrutiny. Despite these fears, he recognized the opportunity as a chance to push his limits and was determined to give his best.
Stephen Nedoroscik expressed, “I was terrified of joining, but like I knew it was an opportunity I couldn’t turn down because of that reason. As someone who’s never danced before, like what can I do if I just put my full mind towards something and just try my hardest, and I’ve impressed myself with ‘Dancing with the Stars‘”. Throughout the competition, Nedoroscik’s growth was evident. He credited his partner, Rylee Arnold, for guiding him through the process.
Now with his decision to pursue chess, the gymnast has once again proved his determination and willingness to follow his heart, regardless of the adversities he may encounter!
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