Olympic gold medalist, wrestler Gable Steveson to return to Minnesota following short-lived retirement

Wrestler Gable Steveson, the Olympic gold medalist, is gearing up to make a comeback in the wrestling world. After announcing his retirement, Steveson has decided to put his retirement on hold and return to competition at the University of Minnesota. The talented athlete plans to exercise his fifth and final season of college wrestling eligibility, thanks to the additional year of eligibility granted to NCAA athletes due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Having already won his second national title at Minnesota in 2022, Steveson is eager to extend his impressive 52-match win streak as he resumes competitive wrestling in the collegiate ranks. The 24-year-old wrestler expressed his excitement in a video posted on social media, stating, “Minnesota has given me everything, and now it’s my turn to give it right back to them: to put my feet back on the wrestling mat, to be the champ, one more time.”

Minnesota wrestling head coach Brandon Eggum shared his enthusiasm for Steveson’s return, mentioning that the wrestler is expected to make his season debut on November 24. Eggum stated, “Gable has the burning desire to compete for the Maroon and Gold one last time. We are thankful he has chosen the opportunity to add to his historic legacy with our program. He is one of the best to ever compete in the sport of wrestling, and we are grateful for the impact he has had on our program.”

Steveson briefly ventured into the world of professional wrestling with World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE), competing at the NXT level before returning to his collegiate wrestling career. Additionally, he had a short stint with the Buffalo Bills in the NFL, where he was signed as a defensive lineman but was released in August after his first attempt at organized football.

Despite his various ventures, Steveson has continued to train diligently with Eggum and even considered qualifying for the Paris Olympics before ultimately deciding against it. With his unmatched talent and determination, Steveson is poised to make a significant impact as he returns to the wrestling mat at the University of Minnesota.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.

Chantz Martin is a sports writer for Fox News Digital.