The Gophers wrestling program got a big boost on Tuesday. One of the best wrestlers on the planet will rejoin the team for one final season.

Gable Steveson, Won Olympic gold medal in 125 kilos In a dramatic turnaround in 2021, coach Brandon Eggum announced he will return to the Gophers for the 2024-25 season and seek his third NCAA heavyweight title.

“First of all, I would like to thank the University of Minnesota for the time, effort and persistence they put into making me the man I am today,” Steveson said. a comeback video. “Minnesota gave me everything, and now it’s my turn to give it back to them: to put my feet back on the wrestling mat, to become a champion once again.”

Steveson, a two-time Hodge Trophy winner as the nation’s top collegiate wrestler, chose to begin his professional wrestling career in WWE following his gold medal win in Tokyo. The organization allowed him to continue wrestling in college, and he returned to the Gophers in 2022 to win his second NCAA title. After the NCAA championship game, he took off his shoes and placed them in the middle of the mat; this was the signal for a wrestler’s retirement. .

But it didn’t last long.

“Gable has a desire to compete one last time for the Maroon and Gold,” Eggum said in a statement. “We are grateful that he chose the opportunity to contribute to his legacy with our program. He is one of the best names to compete in the sport of wrestling, and we are grateful for the impact he has made on our program.”