Stephen Nedoroscik Says He ‘Manifested’ His ‘Pommel Horse Guy’ Nickname Before the Olympics (Exclusive)

“I actually changed my gamer tag before the Olympics to Pommel Horse Guy out of nowhere," Nedoroscik says

Olympic bronze medalist Stephen Nedoroscik is still riding high from his success in Paris — and getting ready to hit the dance floor.

While on the red carpet ahead of his Dancing with the Stars debut, the 25-year-old talked to PEOPLE exclusively about his wild summer — and explained where his "Pommel Horse Guy" nickname really started.

When asked if he liked the popular nickname fans have given him, Nedoroscik revealed that he actually branded himself with the moniker before the Olympics while playing video games.

“I actually changed my gamer tag before the Olympics to 'Pommel Horse Guy' out of nowhere, and then it kind of manifested or something. Then everyone started calling me that,” he says.

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Related: America's Pommel Horse King Stephen Nedoroscik Earns Olympic Bronze Medal in Individual Final

Nedoroscik also reveals to PEOPLE that coming up with nicknames for himself that catch on like wildfire is kind of his thing. “I call myself The Specialist too. Basically, every nickname they've come up with has been my nicknames I've given to myself in the past, which is cool,” he says.

Becoming an overnight media sensation isn’t what he was expecting, but Nedoroscik says that he enjoys the newfound fame — even if he finds it "really crazy" — and encourages fans to come up to him and say hello.

He tells PEOPLE, “I enjoy it when people do ask me for a picture or even just to shake my hand, I'll always do it. Nine times out of 10 I'll do it, because it's such an easy interaction for me to make someone's day, and it's only 10 seconds of my time. So, don't be nervous, people.”

On Thursday, Aug. 22, ABC announced that Nedoroscik would be the first celebrity contestant in the running for the mirrorball trophy on Good Morning America.

After teasing Nedoroscik as a two-time Olympic bronze medalist and the first male gymnast to compete on the show, the camera then panned to the gymnast as he showed off some of his pommel horse routine on the studio floor.

Related: Dancing with the Stars Announces Olympic Medalist Stephen Nedoroscik as Season 33's First Celebrity Contestant

Asked if he's going to bring any of his pommel horse moves to the DWTS dance floor, Nedoroscik told host Robin Roberts, "I'm hoping to bring some of them. I want to bring some flares, I want to bring some of that gymnastics. Maybe a backflip or handstand. I want to have fun with it."

The sports star added, "I'm very excited," before revealing the opportunity was one he said "yes" to straight away.

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