Gable Steveson, born on May 31, 2000, in Portage, Indiana, is a distinguished American wrestler renowned for his exceptional achievements in both freestyle and folkstyle wrestling. He rose to prominence by securing a gold medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in freestyle wrestling and has garnered multiple accolades in collegiate wrestling.
Collegiate Wrestling Career:
- University of Minnesota: Steveson competed for the Minnesota Golden Gophers, where he achieved remarkable success. He became the program’s sixth two-time NCAA Champion, winning titles in 2021 and 2022. In March 2025, he made history by becoming the first four-time Big Ten heavyweight champion, defeating Penn State’s Greg Kerkvliet.
Freestyle Wrestling Achievements:
- 2020 Tokyo Olympics: Steveson clinched the gold medal in freestyle wrestling at the Tokyo Olympics, further elevating his status in the wrestling community.
Professional Wrestling and Other Pursuits:
- WWE Career: In September 2021, Steveson signed a contract with WWE, making him one of the few Olympic gold medalists to join the professional wrestling organization. However, his tenure with WWE was brief; he was released in May 2024 after only one televised match.
- NFL Aspirations: Steveson briefly pursued a career in professional football by signing with the Buffalo Bills in May 2024 as a defensive lineman, despite lacking prior football experience. He was released from the team in August 2024 before the regular season commenced.
Recent Developments:
- Return to Collegiate Wrestling: In November 2024, Steveson announced his return to the University of Minnesota wrestling team for a fifth season, utilizing the extra year of eligibility granted due to COVID-19. He resumed competition in November 2024 against Campbell University.
- 2025 NCAA Championships: As of March 2025, Steveson is competing in the NCAA Championships, aiming for his third national title. He advanced to the semifinals, where he faced Wyatt Hendrickson of Oklahoma State.
Steveson’s journey reflects a dynamic and evolving career, marked by significant accomplishments and transitions across various professional domains.