Spencer Lee looked unstoppable when he won his third NCAA title with a torn ACL. “Excuses are for wusses,” said Lee after winning his third national title spectacularly. The 25-year-old’s quote even became the tagline for the Iowa Hawkeyes. However, Lee’s seemingly unstoppable momentum met an immovable force at the 2023 NCAA semi-finals. It seems the injuries had finally caught up to the 57kg champion, leading him to start introspecting.

Lee seemed rejuvenated as he dominated the Olympic Trial Qualifier in December 2023. However, this time the wrestler appeared more self-aware as he explained that he may never feel 100% physically but was ready to compete again. Yesterday, at a press conference, Spencer Lee revealed how his trip to Japan inspired him to compete despite realizing this fact.

“You know, I don’t know if I’ll ever be a hundred percent. I don’t think it’s possible after surgeries to be like a hundred percent in the same sense before your injury. But I’m pretty dang close,” Lee had said in December. However, it was the “peacefulness,” that gave Spencer Lee time “a lot of time to think,” and re-adjust his approach, the 25-year-old said during the press conference.

However, it wasn’t just introspection but also a little help from a fellow wrestler that helped him see things differently. While Lee stayed away from training during his stay in Tokyo, the Paris-bound athlete met Takuto Otoguro. Lee and Otoguro became friends at the 2014 World Championships, and Otoguro would go on to win Olympic gold in his home country.

Otoguro told Lee about his difficulties in preparing for Paris. He had already won gold, but repeating the feat would seemed much harder. While the 25-year-old American made the Olympic team, his friend couldn’t. Yet, despite the setback, Otoguro promised Lee they would meet at the 2028 Olympics. “For me it was like, ‘I get it.’ Just because you reached that pinnacle, it doesn’t mean you’re done with your potential.” Lee said on Thursday. Now, doing well in Paris has become Spencer Lee’s only focus.

Spencer Lees wants to make an impression in more ways than one

The 57kg wrestling champion secured his ticket to Paris after a dominant performance at the Olympic Qualifiers. Spencer Lee outscored his opponents 107-25 in 11 matches. Now, the Paris-bound athlete will train with former Iowa Hawkeyes wrestlers Pat Lugo and Brandon Sorensen, as well as current teammate Drake Ayala. However, he is also training for something else entirely.

When Spencer Lee lands in Paris with Team USA, he will be stepping foot in his mother’s homeland. So, the 25-year-old is brushing up on his French with the France wrestling delegation in Colorado. The 2x U20 world champion hopes to impress his mother and her family. Lee’s mother was born and raised in France, and he wishes to speak French as an homage.

Spencer Lee was on a dominant run until his upset defeat. While it may have brought his world crashing down at that moment, the loss ultimately turned out to be a blessing in disguise.