On February 26, the unthinkable happened. A Japanese star edged out the Olympic silver medalist and three-time NCAA champion Spencer Lee. As the dust settled, another post-match moment caught the wrestling world’s attention. Bo Bassett, the 2021 U17 world champion, posed alongside the victor. What was he thinking? Was he already sizing up his next great challenge?

Having trained in Iowa and been close to Spencer Lee and the wrestling community there, seeing him pose with Masanosuke Ono only fueled speculation. Well, Bassett has never been one to shy away from competition. But how does he truly feel about Ono’s rise? And more importantly, what he said in an Instagram video about the Japanese star challenging him right before the world championships has fans buzzing. If Ono’s challenge to the American wrestling tragedy ever becomes the reality, will Bassett be able to salvage Lee and Iowa’s reputation? While its too early to say that, you would be shocked to know that even if they have not wrestled, Ono and the Pennsylvania native have actually met before!

Bassett first took notice of the Japanese wrestler at the U20 World Championships in Albania. “A lot of people who knew who he was were like, ‘Hey, that guy’s legit.’ But that was before he won any titles,” The wrestling champion recalled. At the time, the 21-year-old was still unproven on the international stage, but he had an undeniable presence at 61 kg. Well, if you look at his résumé now, it’s nothing short of star-studded. U20 world champion and a senior world champion! Solidifying his status as one of the top competitors in the sport. But what impression did Bassett have of the Japanese wrestling champion? Fierce opponent? Well, far from that!

“He was really nice… We just trained, obviously didn’t wrestle, but yeah, he was really outgoing, an awesome guy,” Bassett shared. Their brief interaction before the World Championships showcased Ono’s friendly and open nature, but also his eagerness to compete at the highest level. Even if it meant challenging the 8-year-old phenom. Talk about the relentless hunger the 21-year-old has! “He’s a student of the sport, really technical,” Bassett admitted, expressing his admiration for the wrestler that Masanosuke Ono is.

Ono’s relentless dedication and hard work culminated in a decisive 3-2 victory over Lee. Despite Lee earning two points in the second period due to passive warnings against Ono, the Japanese athlete remained composed and controlled the match. While Bo Bassett was there to cheer for his idol, he only got to witness the heartbreaking turn of events.

Spencer Lee’s respect for Ono steals the spotlight

After his loss, Spencer Lee showed only respect for Masanosuke Ono. During the match, Lee recognized the importance of the situation even though Ono took the win. “But I think he’s a great guy, and I’m glad he came out to wrestle. I’m glad it worked out,” Lee said. Wrestling means more to Lee than victory. The 26-year-old has great respect for the sport and the wrestlers. For him, it was beyond the win/loss outcome. Makes sense why he is a fan favorite!

The packed Xtream Arena witnessed an intense showdown between the American and the Japanese wrestling legends. Among them was Bo Bassett, watching as a lifelong admirer of Lee. “I remember getting Spencer Lee’s [autograph] more than once. A ton of times,” Bassett said. “He was always my big role model. One time when I was like eight, I went to the training center, and that was unbelievable.” Lee’s achievements truly validate his position. Receiving silver at Paris 2020 for the 57 kg division and also winning the World Championship in 2014 cemented his status as an unmatched figure in the sport. Doesn’t matter if he lost at the hands of Ono, Lee’s record speaks for itself and has earned him the love of all his fans and even Bo Bassett. Will the wrestling prodigy be able to turn the tide in favor of the Iowa Hawkeyes and defeat Ono? We are surely not ruling that possibility out!

With Ono’s meteoric rise and Bassett’s fearless nature and impeccable record, the wrestling world awaits the day the duo will face each other off. Share your thoughts in the comments on who might possibly win.