Stephen Nedoroscik: From Olympic Gymnast to Chess Competitor – A Journey of Surprises and New Challenges
Stephen Nedoroscik: From Olympic Gymnast to Chess Challenger
April 29, 2025 — Stephen Nedoroscik, the Olympic bronze medalist known for his dazzling performances on the pommel horse, is making headlines once again—but this time, it’s not just about gymnastics. The fan-favorite from Dancing with the Stars has taken a surprising leap into the world of chess, participating in the highly anticipated PogChamps 6 tournament.
A Nostalgic Dance and a Frustrating Setback
Just hours before announcing his new venture, Nedoroscik delighted fans by sharing a nostalgic clip of his favorite dance with partner Rylee Arnold from DWTS Season 33. Captioning the post with heartfelt sentiments for International Dance Day, he wrote, “Had to post my favorite dance for international dance day 🕺🏻🪩💃🏼!!! Now that I’m a retired dancer, watching this dance hits different 🤧.” The post was met with an outpouring of love from fans, celebrating his journey from the dance floor to the Olympic stage.
However, the joy was short-lived. Shortly after, Nedoroscik revealed that another video he had posted was flagged and blocked in nine territories due to copyright violations involving Disney Enterprises, Inc. Despite the setback, he maintained a light-hearted tone, sharing his mixed feelings on Instagram: “happy international dance day tho!!” accompanied by a sad face emoticon.
A New Challenge: Chess
As if the dance drama wasn’t enough, Nedoroscik is now stepping into a new arena—chess. He is one of 12 participants in PogChamps 6, a major online chess tournament featuring a mix of content creators, pro athletes, and chess enthusiasts, all competing for a $100,000 prize pool. Under the expert guidance of Swedish-Spanish Woman FIDE Master Anna Cramling, Nedoroscik is ready to tackle this strategic game head-on.
Known for his sharp problem-solving skills, Nedoroscik has previously wowed audiences with his speedcubing abilities, solving a 3×3 Rubik’s Cube in just 8.664 seconds. His transition from the gymnastics mat to the chessboard may seem unexpected, but his competitive spirit and analytical mind make him a formidable contender.
The Road Ahead
As PogChamps 6 kicks off today, fans are eager to see how Nedoroscik will fare in this new challenge. Will he bring the same level of mastery to chess as he did to gymnastics? With his history of overcoming obstacles and pushing limits, one thing is clear: Stephen Nedoroscik is not done surprising us yet.
Stay tuned as this multi-talented athlete continues to redefine what it means to be a champion, both on the mat and beyond.