Stephen Nedoroscik, America’s pommel horse ace and one of the sport’s most charismatic faces, didn’t just spin circles on the apparatus. He spun heads when he brought his flair to the ballroom on Dancing With the Stars USA. The move was unexpected but perfectly on brand for the gymnast known for combining athletic precision with a showman’s touch. But now, his biggest rival, Ireland’s Olympic champion Rhys McClenaghan, is following suit. And he’s not just dipping a toe into entertainment; he’s diving in.

Fresh off his Paris 2024 gold medal performance, McClenaghan announced a major shift in his post-Olympic journey by joining Dancing With the Stars Ireland. The timing feels symbolic! One pommel horse, great, hands the metaphorical baton to another. It’s a surprising, yet strangely fitting turn considering the upcoming European Championships. Inspired in part by Nedoroscik’s success on the dance floor, McClenaghan’s career pivot signals another shift after a major announcement.

Rhys McClenaghan took to Instagram with a disappointing update for fans and followers alike. He won’t be defending his European pommel horse title this year. “I tried my best to push through preparation, but an injury kept holding me back,” McClenaghan admitted, breaking the news with an honesty that mirrored his champion’s spirit.

A gymnast known for flawless routines and mental resilience didn’t decide to step back lightly. But it was strategic. “I chose to prioritize being healthy and recovering for future competitions this year and be sure that I can put out my best work yet,” he added, showing the mindset of an athlete who plays the long game. McClenaghan has his eyes on more than medals.

He’s building a legacy. “I may not be retaining my European title, but the path to being the GOAT is still very clear 🥇☘️,” he wrote. That final line wasn’t bravado. It was clarity. Rhys knows the mission hasn’t changed, just the timeline. His shift from the pommel horse to the polished floors of Dancing with the Stars Ireland may seem surprising to some, but in reality, it echoes a path paved by none other than Stephen Nedoroscik.

The American pommel horse maestro stunned audiences with his elegant transition to DWTS USA, making a case for why specialist gymnasts deserve more recognition. Nedoroscik didn’t just bring flips and flair. He brought storytelling, precision, and charisma, redefining what it means to be a pommel horse star.

And now, Rhys is picking up that torch, proving that this once-overlooked event might just be the next big stage-to-screen phenomenon in gymnastics. But while all this is happening, Stephen Nedoroscik is stepping into another territory.

Stephen Nedoroscik’s unexpected chess journey

Stephen Nedoroscik, once the bronze-winning pommel horse specialist at the 2024 Paris Olympics, is proving there’s more than one way to test your mental toughness. After years of perfecting routines under elite coaches like Syque Caesar, Sam Mikulak, and Kevin Mazeika, the former Penn State gymnast is now taking on a new challenge: chess.

He’s entered PogChamps 6, the internet’s biggest online chess tournament, where content creators, pro athletes, and streamers all compete for a $100,000 prize pool. The tournament kicked off on April 29, 2025, and Stephen is right there in the mix with names like Eberechi Eze and Ludwig. What makes Stephen’s leap into chess so compelling is that he isn’t just dabbling.

He’s committed. He’s been training with Woman FIDE Master Anna Cramling, whose mentorship he credits as a giant boost in his preparation. Whether it’s tackling high-pressure Olympic routines or opening with a Queen’s Gambit, Stephen is showing the same focus, discipline, and flair that made him a fan favorite on the mat.

A self-proclaimed puzzle addict, Stephen has long found joy in solving problems fast. His speedcubing skills are no joke either. After all, he once solved a 3×3 Rubik’s Cube in just 8.664 seconds and even wowed audiences with a live demo on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon in 15.42 seconds. “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,” he shared.

For Stephen, problem-solving isn’t just a hobby. It’s a mindset. And as he reinvents himself once again, fans can’t help but wonder what the future holds for the two athletes next.