Wrestler Gable Stevenson is ready to return to competition. The Olympic gold medalist plans to put retirement on hold and return to competition at the University of Minnesota.
Stevenson will be exercising his fifth and final season of collegiate wrestling eligibility. Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, NCAA athletics departments have been granted an additional year of eligibility.
Stevenson won his second national title at the University of Minnesota in 2022, then announced his retirement. The 24-year-old will look to extend his 52-fight winning streak once he resumes competitive wrestling in college.
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FILE – Minnesota's Gable Stevenson prepares to face Penn State's Greg Kerkvliet in a 285-pound match in the quarterfinals of the NCAA Wrestling Championships on March 19, 2021 in St. Louis . (AP Photo/Jeff Roberson, File)
“Minnesota gave me everything, and now it's my turn to give it back to them. To step back on the wrestling mat and be a champion once again,” Stevenson said in a video posted to social media. Ta.
“Gable has a burning desire to compete one last time for the maroon and gold,” Minnesota wrestling head coach Brandon Eggum said.
US wrestler Gable Stevenson wins gold medal in dramatic fashion at Tokyo Olympics
“We are grateful that he chose this opportunity to further add to the historic legacy of our program. He is one of the all-time greats in the sport of wrestling and a great gift to our program. Thank you for your impact.”
Gold medalist Gable Dan Stevenson of the United States celebrates his gold medal after the 2020 Tokyo Olympics men's freestyle 125 kg wrestling match at Makuhari Messe in Tokyo, August 6, 2021. (Stringer/Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
Steveson was a member of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE). Stevenson competed at the NXT level (the organization's developmental brand) during his time in professional wrestling promotions.
March 19, 2022; Detroit, Michigan, USA. Arizona State wrestler Coleton Schultz (not pictured) hurts his arm while coming off the mat after defeating Coleton Schultz (not pictured) in the 285-pound finals of the NCAA Wrestling Championships at Little Caesars Arena. Minnesota wrestler Gable Stevenson raises his head. (Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports)
The Buffalo Bills signed Stevenson in May despite having no football experience. He was projected to be a defensive lineman. However, Stevenson's first attempt at organized football ended in August when he was released by the Bills.
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He continued to train with Egum and considered competing in the Paris Olympics qualifiers, but ultimately did not.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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