If you think Stephen Nedoroscik is just an Olympic bronze medal-winning gymnastics star, then you are utterly wrong. For there are a lot of things that Nedoroscik can do. Taking a keen interest in indoor games, Nedoroscik has some jealousy-invoking records. The Olympian can solve a Rubik’s cube within 10 seconds, or 8.6 seconds. Furthermore, Nedoroscik is only the 43rd person worldwide to have successfully solved the hardest Killer Sudoku after 45 hours of work. However, while this might look like an enviable list, there’s more. Nedoroscik is an avid chess player. And recently, one of his intense chess sessions nearly had him by the edge. 

Stephen Nedoroscik took part in the PogChamps 6 recently. Competing in the group stage, it turned out to be one of the toughest battles in the history of the tournament. And to get past his opponents, Nedoroscik was sweating with anticipation the entire time! Thankfully, the good news is that Nedoroscik ultimately managed to power through. Nedoroscik faced off against Hungrybox.

And while the face-off looked quite like a disparity, the reality was pretty contradictory. Nedoroscik was the second-highest rated player, while Hungrybox was the least. But when the game went underway, Nedoroscik had quite a run for his money. In the end, as Nedoroscik won, he took to social media to express his exact feelings during the matchup. “WE QUALIFIES TO THE SEMI-FINALS!! !! GGs to Cinoxtag !! Literally sweating after that one,” exclaimed the Olympic bronze medalist. 

Surely, such emotions coming from Nedoroscik go on to show how much he is attached to the game. For PogChamps 6, Nedoroscik, WolfeyVGC, and Finian have reached the championship bracket. On the contrary, the likes of Macaiyla, SapNap, and Hungrybox will remain in the Consolation bracket. Meanwhile, taking a detour, Stephen Nedoroscik seems to be enjoying his time, engrossed in things other than gymnastics.

Stephen Nedoroscik finds new joys beyond gymnastics with chess, dance, and love

Stephen Nedoroscik might be away from the pommel horse, but life hasn’t slowed down for the Olympic medalist. Swapping chalk for chess pieces, he recently shared his excitement after tying for first in his group at PogChamps 6, the popular online chess competition. “Tied for first!!! More chess soon!!” he wrote in a celebratory Instagram story, showing fans that his competitive spirit remains sharp—even off the mat.

His days are now filled with a mix of movement and mindfulness. As co-host on the Dancing With the Stars tour, Stephen has kept his love for performance alive, still basking in the spotlight after a standout season on the show. On International Dance Day, he revisited his favorite moment from the ballroom—his Team USA-themed freestyle finale.

“Had to post my favorite dance for International Dance Day 🕺🏻🪩💃🏼!!! Now that I’m a retired dancer, watching this dance, it hits different,” he captioned the video, embracing the shift in his journey with humor and heart. Off-stage, Nedoroscik finds grounding in his relationship with Tess McCracken, a fellow Penn State alum and former gymnast.

In a recent birthday tribute, he wrote, “I couldn’t have done any of it without you,” highlighting the quiet strength behind his new chapter. As Stephen Nedoroscik steps back from gymnastics, he’s embracing a new rhythm. One filled with checkmates, dance breaks, and unwavering love. But don’t think for a minute that the Olympian is done with the mat. Because once the Gymnastics World championships and Jakarta come calling, you can bet that Stephen Nedoroscik will be there.