The world of wrestling has seen many legends throughout its history, but few have captured the imagination and respect of fans quite like Gable Steveson. With an Olympic gold medal, multiple NCAA championships, and a wrestling style that combines exceptional athleticism with technical mastery, Steveson has established himself as one of the most dominant heavyweight wrestlers of his generation. His journey from a young wrestling prodigy to an Olympic champion showcases not just extraordinary talent, but also the dedication, discipline, and determination required to reach the pinnacle of the sport. This comprehensive look at Gable Steveson explores his remarkable career, wrestling philosophy, and the impact he continues to make on the sport.
Early Life and Wrestling Beginnings
A Name Destined for Wrestling Greatness
Born on May 31, 2000, in Portage, Indiana, Gable Dan Steveson seemed destined for wrestling greatness from birth. His mother, Laticia Steveson, named him after the legendary wrestler and coach Dan Gable—widely considered one of the greatest American wrestlers of all time. This connection to wrestling royalty would prove prophetic as young Gable began his journey in the sport.
Laticia was just three months pregnant with Gable when she decided on his name after watching a wrestling match in Fort Dodge, Iowa, where Dan Gable’s name echoed through the venue. Approximately fifteen years later, Gable would meet his namesake at a wrestling tournament in Waterloo, creating a full-circle moment that connected past and present wrestling legends.
Family Influence and Early Training
Wrestling runs deep in the Steveson family. Gable’s father, Robert Steveson, though not a wrestler himself, instilled in his sons a deep appreciation for technique over raw strength. “Everything was technique,” Robert has said. “It didn’t matter what the size was. If you’re a big guy, you can wrestle a little guy because all we would practice is technique.” This philosophy would become a cornerstone of Gable’s wrestling approach.
Gable started wrestling as soon as he could walk, following in the footsteps of his older brothers, including Bobby Steveson, who later performed in WWE as Damon Kemp until July 2024. The family environment was saturated with wrestling, with Laticia often joking that Gable was “a child who was born on the wrestling mat”—a statement that seems increasingly accurate with each dominant performance he delivers.
The Move to Minnesota
A pivotal moment in Steveson’s development came when his family relocated to Apple Valley, Minnesota, when he was in seventh grade. This strategic move was made specifically so Gable and his brother Bobby could compete for Apple Valley High School, a powerhouse wrestling program.
The decision paid dividends immediately. At just 13 years old, Steveson entered the 2014 Minnesota State High School League (MSHSL) state finals with an impressive 39-2 record. Though he placed second in that tournament, it would be the last time for many years that Steveson would know defeat on the wrestling mat.
High School Dominance
Apple Valley’s Wrestling Phenomenon
After his runner-up finish in eighth grade, Steveson embarked on one of the most dominant high school wrestling careers in Minnesota history. He accumulated four state titles and an astonishing 171-match win streak. His dominance was so complete that his last two state tournament championship matches lasted a combined 28 seconds.
His high school accolades include receiving the Junior Schalles Award for best high school pinner in 2017 and being named the Junior Hodge Trophy winner the following year. In freestyle wrestling, he claimed multiple age-group World Championships, establishing himself as not just a national but an international prospect.
Recruitment and College Decision
As Steveson’s high school career progressed, he emerged as the top wrestling recruit in the country. Despite having options to attend any wrestling program in the nation, he chose to stay close to home and attend the University of Minnesota, a decision that would allow him to continue developing while representing his adopted home state.
Collegiate Wrestling Career
Freshman Sensation
Steveson wasted no time making his mark at the collegiate level. During his freshman year (2018-19), he went an impressive 35-2, placing third at the NCAA Championships. He won his first 30 matches, cracking the top-15 for longest win streak in Gopher history, and became the nation’s top-ranked heavyweight by February of his freshman season.
His freshman campaign included 21 wins by bonus points, a perfect 17-0 record in dual competition (including 9-0 against Big Ten opponents), and championships at the Cliff Keen Invitational, Bison Open, and Daktronics Open. These achievements earned him the team’s Most Outstanding Wrestler and Freshman of the Year awards.
Sophomore Success and COVID Interruption
Steveson’s sophomore year (2019-20) saw him improve to a perfect 15-0 record. He claimed his first Big Ten Heavyweight Championship by defeating Mason Parris of Michigan 6-0 in the final. He entered the NCAA Championships as the top seed at heavyweight before the tournament’s cancellation due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite this disappointment, he was named an NWCA First Team All-American.
During this season, Steveson earned 11 bonus-point victories and finished his second straight regular season undefeated at 12-0 in duals. His dominance was becoming a pattern that opponents simply couldn’t disrupt.
Junior Year and First NCAA Championship
The 2020-21 season marked Steveson’s emergence as the undisputed king of collegiate wrestling. He went a perfect 17-0, culminating in his first NCAA championship at heavyweight. In the national final, he defeated No. 2 Mason Parris, 8-4, showcasing his technical superiority against one of his primary rivals.
This season also saw Steveson win his second straight Big Ten Championship and be named Most Outstanding Wrestler of the Championship. His dominance extended beyond wins and losses—he tied with Iowa’s Spencer Lee for the tournament lead with 24.5 team points earned at the NCAA Championships.
Perhaps most impressively, Steveson was awarded the prestigious Dan Hodge Trophy (shared with Iowa’s Spencer Lee), recognizing him as the most dominant collegiate wrestler of the year.
Senior Season and Olympic Glory
Steveson’s senior year (2021-22) saw him continue his unbeaten streak, going 18-0 for his third straight undefeated season. He claimed his second NCAA heavyweight championship, defeating #2 Cohlton Schultz of Arizona State 6-2 in the finals, and won his third consecutive Big Ten title.
The crowning achievement during this period came not in collegiate competition but on the world stage. In the summer of 2021, Steveson competed at the Tokyo Olympics, where he put on a display of wrestling brilliance that culminated in a gold medal. In the final seconds of the gold medal match against three-time and reigning World Champion Geno Petriashvili of Georgia, Steveson executed a dramatic last-second takedown to secure a 10-8 victory and Olympic gold.
This Olympic triumph made Steveson the first American super-heavyweight to win freestyle Olympic gold since Bruce Baumgartner in 1992 and, at 21 years, two months, and six days, the youngest freestyle wrestler to win Olympic gold at super heavyweight.
Return to Collegiate Wrestling
The Comeback Trail
After his Olympic success, Steveson briefly stepped away from collegiate wrestling to explore professional opportunities. He signed with WWE and later attempted a football career with the Buffalo Bills. However, when those ventures didn’t fully materialize as planned (the Bills released him in August 2024 while finalizing their 53-player roster), Steveson made the decision to return to the University of Minnesota for the 2024-25 season.
His return to collegiate wrestling was met with both excitement and skepticism. Some wondered if the now 24-year-old Steveson could recapture the dominance he had displayed earlier in his career. Those doubts were quickly erased as Steveson embarked on yet another undefeated campaign.
Fourth Big Ten Championship
In March 2025, Steveson made history by winning his fourth Big Ten Championship, becoming only the second wrestler in Minnesota history to accomplish this feat and the only wrestler in conference history to win four titles at heavyweight. His victory in the final came against defending national champion Greg Kerkvliet of Penn State, with Steveson securing takedowns in each period on his way to a 10-3 decision10.
This victory snapped Kerkvliet’s 38-match win streak dating back to the 2023 NCAA Championship match. After the match, Steveson was named Most Outstanding Wrestler of the Big Ten Championships for the second time in his career (2021 and 2025), becoming the only Gopher to win the award twice and just the third wrestler in Big Ten history to achieve this distinction10.
2025 NCAA Championship Run
Steveson entered the 2025 NCAA Championships as the top seed at heavyweight, looking to become the first three-time NCAA champion in Minnesota history and just the sixth heavyweight to win three titles in NCAA annals.
His path to the finals was nothing short of dominant. In the first round, he pinned Purdue’s Hayden Filiopvich in just 1:25, achieving his 100th career victory and becoming the 48th wrestler in program history to reach this milestone.
In the second round, his match against Yaraslau Slavikouski of Rutgers was stopped in the first period when Slavikouski was disqualified for stalling. Steveson then defeated Arizona State’s Cohlton Schultz in the quarterfinals by technical fall, 20-5, and dominated Lehigh’s Owen Trephan in the semifinals with a 13-5 major decision.
These victories extended Steveson’s winning streak to 70 matches in a row, bringing his career record to an astounding 103-2. In the final, scheduled for March 23, 2025, Steveson was set to face No. 2 Wyatt Hendrickson of Oklahoma State—a rematch of their 2021 NCAA Championship meeting when Hendrickson was at the Air Force Academy and Steveson won by technical fall, 18-2.
Wrestling Style and Training Philosophy
A Unique Combination of Power and Agility
What makes Gable Steveson truly exceptional is his rare combination of size, strength, and athleticism. At 6’1″ and 285 pounds, he possesses the power expected of a heavyweight wrestler, but his agility and speed are reminiscent of much smaller competitors. His high school coach, Danel Wasmund, noted that despite his size, Steveson “can wrestle like a young boy”—a testament to his exceptional mobility and technical skills.
Steveson’s explosive power and agility allow him to switch seamlessly between offensive and defensive tactics. He can read opponents, anticipate their moves, and respond with devastating effectiveness. This combination of attributes makes him particularly dangerous in the final moments of matches, where he has repeatedly demonstrated the ability to turn near-defeats into stunning victories.
Signature Moves and Techniques
Several signature moves have defined Steveson’s success in freestyle wrestling. The “Gable Grip,” a technique named after him, allows him to use his opponent’s position to his advantage. He’s also renowned for his powerful suplex, which demonstrates not only his strength but also serves to demoralize opponents.
Perhaps most impressive is Steveson’s double-leg takedown, which he executes with precision timing and explosive power. His ability to set up and finish takedowns against elite competition has been a cornerstone of his success at every level of competition.
Training Philosophy
Interestingly, Steveson’s training philosophy eschews some traditional heavyweight approaches. In an interview, he revealed that he stopped “maxing out” in the weight room two years prior, believing the practice of lifting the maximum possible weight for just one or two repetitions carries too much injury risk for minimal benefit.
“There’s really no point besides telling your friends that you lifted a certain amount,” Steveson said. “Stuff like that is pointless and it could injure you.” Instead, he focuses on sets of four repetitions with heavy weights rather than one or two reps at maximum weight.
This approach aligns with his father’s emphasis on technique over raw strength and has likely contributed to Steveson’s durability throughout his career. His training regimen includes comprehensive workouts focusing on strength, speed, flexibility, and endurance—ensuring he maintains his exceptional combination of power and agility.
Personal Life and Support System
Relationship and Partner
Behind Steveson’s dominance on the mat is a strong support system, particularly his longtime girlfriend, Madelyn Jo Mitchell. The couple has been dating since 2016, with Mitchell remaining a constant presence through Steveson’s Olympic triumph and subsequent career transitions.
Born on March 17, 2000, in Brooklyn Park, Minnesota, Mitchell later relocated to Holstein, Iowa, for higher education. She studied Communication Studies and Event Management at the University of Iowa, graduating in 2021. On March 17, 2025, Steveson celebrated Mitchell’s 25th birthday with a heartfelt message on social media, writing: “Another chapter for you! Happy birthday baby, I appreciate all your love and support and everything else. Here’s to many more days together, I love you!”
Family Support
Steveson’s family has been instrumental in his wrestling journey. His parents, Robert and Laticia Steveson, have provided unwavering support from his earliest days in the sport. The family’s decision to relocate to Minnesota specifically to advance Gable’s wrestling opportunities demonstrated their commitment to his development.
Laticia’s pride in her son’s achievements was particularly evident during the Tokyo Olympics. When Steveson secured his gold medal with a dramatic last-second takedown, cameras captured Laticia’s emotional celebration with friends and the Minnesota team—a moment of pure joy that underscored the family’s investment in Gable’s journey.
Health Challenges
Like many elite athletes, Steveson has faced health challenges along his path to greatness. In 2022, he underwent a heart procedure (an ablation) to treat Wolff-Parkinson-White (WPW) syndrome, a rare congenital heart defect that causes a rapid heartbeat. The condition was discovered before his trip to Tokyo for the Olympics, but he didn’t undergo the procedure until WWE’s medical staff advised him through the process.
This health scare highlighted the importance of comprehensive medical support for athletes and demonstrated Steveson’s resilience in overcoming obstacles on his path to continued excellence.
Professional Ventures and Future Prospects
WWE Experience
Following his Olympic gold medal victory, Steveson signed with WWE, beginning training at the company’s Performance Center in Orlando, Florida. During this period, WWE set up a remote training facility for him near the University of Minnesota campus so he could continue his collegiate wrestling career while preparing for his professional wrestling future.
While his WWE career didn’t fully materialize as planned, the experience provided Steveson with valuable performance skills and expanded his public profile beyond the amateur wrestling world.
NFL Attempt
In 2021, Steveson signed a three-year contract with the Buffalo Bills as a defensive lineman, exploring whether his exceptional athleticism could translate to professional football. Though he was released in August 2024 as the team finalized their 53-player roster, this experience demonstrated Steveson’s willingness to challenge himself in different athletic domains.
MMA Possibilities
More recently, Steveson has expressed interest in potentially transitioning to mixed martial arts (MMA). After training with UFC heavyweight champion Jon Jones during Jones’ preparation for his fight against Stipe Miocic at UFC 309, Steveson found himself inspired by the possibility of an MMA career.
“After being in that camp with Jon Jones, that definitely put a major spark in me to go out there and do MMA,” Steveson said on “The Ariel Helwani Show.” “Not sure the promotion yet, but Jon definitely lit a fire under me, and was like, ‘Hey, I think you should go back to wrestling. I think you should try MMA. We have a great team out here in Albuquerque if you want to join us.'”
Jones himself made a bold prediction about Steveson’s potential in MMA: “He’s going to be scary. He’s going to be very scary when he decides to do MMA. He knows how to make men appear very weak – me being one of them. When he learns how to box and learns a little about jiu-jitsu, it’s not a matter of if he’ll become a UFC champion, it’s when he’ll be a UFC champion.”
Legacy and Impact on Wrestling
Record-Breaking Career
As Steveson’s collegiate career draws to a close, his legacy in Minnesota wrestling is already secure. His career record of 103-2 (.981 winning percentage) is the best in Gopher Wrestling history. He’s perfect 59-0 in dual competition, with a remarkable 44-0 mark against Big Ten opponents. His 70-match winning streak stands as the second-longest in program history.
Beyond the numbers, Steveson’s combination of technical excellence and athletic showmanship has helped elevate the profile of collegiate wrestling. His backflip celebration after winning Olympic gold became an iconic moment that transcended the sport and introduced him to a broader audience.
Inspiration to Young Wrestlers
Perhaps Steveson’s most significant impact lies in his influence on the next generation of wrestlers. By demonstrating that heavyweights can be both powerful and agile, technical and explosive, he has expanded the possibilities for what wrestlers of all sizes can aspire to achieve.
His journey from a young boy named after a wrestling legend to an Olympic champion and potential three-time NCAA champion creates a compelling narrative that inspires young athletes to pursue their own wrestling dreams with dedication and perseverance14.
Conclusion: The Ongoing Story of a Wrestling Phenom
At just 24 years old, Gable Steveson has already secured his place in wrestling history. From his early dominance at Apple Valley High School through his Olympic triumph and continued collegiate excellence, he has consistently demonstrated why he’s considered one of the most remarkable talents ever to step onto a wrestling mat.
What makes Steveson’s story particularly compelling is that it continues to evolve. Whether he adds a third NCAA championship to his résumé, pursues an MMA career, returns to professional wrestling, or charts an entirely different path, his combination of athletic gifts, technical mastery, and competitive drive ensures that the wrestling world will be watching his next moves with great anticipation.
In the annals of wrestling history, few names resonate with the same combination of achievement and potential as Gable Steveson. Named after a legend and well on his way to becoming one himself, Steveson’s journey represents the very best of what dedication to athletic excellence can produce. As he prepares for the next chapter of his remarkable career, one thing remains certain: the legacy of Gable Steveson will continue to inspire and influence the world of wrestling for generations to come.
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