Gable Steveson won the 2021 NCAA heavyweight wrestling title, and the University of Minnesota star replicated his victory on an even bigger stage today in Tokyo.
Taking on 2016 bronze medalist and multiple-time world champion Geno Petriashvili of Georgia, Steveson trailed late in the match. That’s an unusual position for Steveson, who hadn’t allowed a point to an opponent in Tokyo.
Then, this happened:
WHAT JUST HAPPENED! 🥇@GableSteveson grabs the GOLD as time expires. #TokyoOlympics pic.twitter.com/yqMc3wbXsu
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 6, 2021
That is just an absurd comeback (fitting for this site!) in the biggest possible moment. Congratulations to Steveson, who thanks to the pandemic has a year of eligibility remaining at Minnesota should he want to take advantage. The new NIL rules might make that a smart financial decision in the short term, too, especially given his sport of choice.
Unless Steveson wants to go into MMA, if he wants to compete more the NCAA return is probably the avenue to pick. He’s on record talking about wanting to join WWE, too, and that could definitely be an option. He certainly has the athleticism to do just about anything he would want to.
DO A FLIP!@GableSteveson x #TokyoOlympicspic.twitter.com/PpSNj8wUSc
— Team USA (@TeamUSA) August 6, 2021
What an amateur career, though, winning the NCAA title and a gold medal in the same year. Incredible.
