Gable Steveson, an Olympic wrestling champion, understands that victory isn`t always guaranteed.
Steveson, who was expected to win his third national title for the University of Minnesota at the 2025 NCAA Division I Wrestling National Championships, experienced a shocking upset on Saturday. He was defeated by Wyatt Hendrickson of Oklahoma State in a close 5-4 match, conceding a late takedown.
This takedown was the first Steveson had allowed throughout the entire season.
In a message on Instagram, Steveson expressed gratitude to Gopher Wrestling. He reflected on his journey from an 18-year-old to a 24-year-old, noting his desire to return in 2022 and bring recognition to the University. He believes he and the team had an exceptional run, and he has no regrets about representing his city.
Steveson acknowledged the unpredictable nature of sports, stating that challenges are part of what makes it exciting. He emphasized that he embraces these moments and is doing well. He believes his legacy in wrestling will not be defined by wins and losses, but by his efforts to increase the sport`s popularity, viewership, and entertainment value.
After winning an Olympic gold medal in 2020, Steveson returned to college for his final year of eligibility. He had previously signed a lucrative contract with WWE.
However, Steveson`s professional wrestling career did not pan out, and he was eventually released. He then briefly pursued football, joining the Buffalo Bills` training camp in 2024 despite lacking prior experience. He did not make the final roster.
Despite potential practice squad offers, Steveson chose to return to wrestling at Minnesota for one last season.
He had an undefeated season and won another Big 10 title before competing in the NCAA tournament. There, he was defeated by Hendrickson, an Air Force lieutenant who transferred to Oklahoma State for his final year of eligibility, which was not available at service academies.
Steveson thanked his supporters for their encouragement throughout his collegiate wrestling career. He appreciated the fans who stayed to talk with him after events, regardless of location.
He also addressed his doubters and critics, acknowledging that their attention, even if negative, contributed to viewership.
While Steveson didn`t explicitly discuss his future, he had previously mentioned his goal of competing in the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles for a second gold medal. He missed the 2024 games due to his WWE contract, and the US men`s freestyle team did not win any gold medals, a first in 56 years.
In addition to Olympic wrestling, Steveson has expressed interest in transitioning to MMA, particularly after developing a connection with UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones while assisting Jones in training for a fight against Stipe Miocic last November.
