“I Go and I Fail”: Spencer Lee’s Risky Paris Olympics Journey Decides Future Wrestling Plans

“First thing I thought of was to take it off, but that’s OK, right?” Spencer Lee, the three-time NCAA champion from Iowa, does not look happy with his silver medal at the Paris Olympics 2024. Despite being one of the most distinguished wrestlers from the U.S., Lee’s discontent was clear after his narrow loss in the 57-kilogram bout against Japan’s Rei Higuchi. Reflecting on the outcome, Lee admitted, “You can get a laugh out of that, right? I don’t even have it anymore. I gave it to my sister. I don’t even know where it is.”

Lee’s frustration stems from his belief in effort over outcomes. “Just I’m a guy who believes more in wins and losses, it’s more about effort, and I don’t think I put a lot of effort in that match, so I didn’t deserve to win today and that’s OK.” His disappointment was palpable as he silently brushed past reporters after the match, clearly disheartened by the result. The loss has led Lee to question his future in wrestling, especially after battling through numerous injuries to reach this stage.

What does Spencer Lee envision for his future in the sport? “Honestly, just do a lot more action,” he said. “Create action, force him to wrestle me. Yeah, he scored one scramble, but I think the action favors me, and I let him hang on my hand and kind of just stand there. And he won one scramble and that was it.” America adores a comeback tale, and Spencer Lee seems to be on the verge of delivering one.

“A lot of time and effort put into getting back into a healthy enough state to wrestle and then I go and I fail. So we’ll figure it out from here,” Lee reflected after the match. He still is figuring out whether he wants to “keep wrestling” after enduring knee injuries to compete internationally.

While the adage “comeback is stronger than a setback” may not always ring true for Spencer Lee, his resilience shines through. Even with a silver medal instead of gold, Lee’s true victory lies in his unbreakable spirit, relentless drive, and unwavering belief in his ability to overcome any challenge. “I don’t think there’ll ever be perspective where I think it’s good. Twenty years from now, you try and name Olympic silver medallists. I bet you can’t. It’s because no one cares,” Lee said.

It’s evident that he may take a while to move past his loss of the gold medal. And then to put it in a medal-winning performance perspective, Lee looks far away from it. Well, despite his resilience and determination, the path to redemption has been anything but easy for Spencer Lee. His journey has been marred by a series of devastating injuries that have threatened to derail his career.

What injuries are standing in the way of Spencer Lee and his goals?

Spencer Lee’s journey is a poignant saga of relentless determination. It all started in high school with a harrowing ACL tear. “I was freaking out…it sounded like a gunshot,” Lee recalls. Such an injury could have derailed any athlete’s dreams, potentially altering the course of his career. During the trials for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, Lee was once again sidelined by injuries. “It’s taken a long time for me to come back,” he said. Yet, with unyielding determination, he defied the odds and made a triumphant return during the 2024 Paris Olympics trials.

Lee earned a spot in the 57 kg weight class and his comeback has been nothing short of remarkable. “It’s funny how many foreign coaches and athletes wanted to take a picture with me before the competitions begin,” he noted.

As Spencer Lee contemplates whether to bid farewell to the sport or embark on another comeback, there’s no doubt that he will forever be celebrated as one of wrestling’s finest. We eagerly await his return to the mat, where he’ll once again chase gold and showcase his unparalleled prowess!