Gable Steveson completed one of the all-time great Olympic comebacks as he won the gold in the 125-kg freestyle final Friday.
The Apple Valley native, a NCAA championship winner for the Minnesota Gophers, was trailing 8-5 with just 10 seconds left on the clock against Georgia’s Geno Petriashvili.
But two takedowns in the space of seconds – the last of which was given by the referee as the buzzer sounds – gave Steveson a dramatic 9-8 victory and secured his first gold medal.
Watch the incredible moment here.
WHAT JUST HAPPENED! 🥇@GableSteveson grabs the GOLD as time expires. #TokyoOlympics pic.twitter.com/yqMc3wbXsu
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 6, 2021
It proved a much more difficult bout than Steveson had experienced on his route to the final, where he had dominated opponents including the reigning Olympic champion.
Much as he did when he won his NCAA title, Steveson celebrate with his trademark backflip.
That GOLD medal feeling. 🥇#TokyoOlympics | @GableSteveson pic.twitter.com/rded6GWL6o
— NBC Olympics & Paralympics (@NBCOlympics) August 6, 2021
