Bo Bassett is not just back—he is back on top! Bo, on September 29th, went head-to-head against a rival he is familiar with on FloWrestling’s “Who’s #1.” He was back on the mat with two-time California State Champion Daniel Zepeda. Last time, Zepeda walked away wearing the crown. But this time, Bo was not going to repeat his mistakes. Bo had an undefeated streak since his last match against Zepeda. He won titles at Super 32, Ironman, Powerade, PIAAs, the US Open, and the U20 Pan Am Championships.  As one fan rightly puts it, Bo is a “Kid is a superstar.”   

Bo was sure a “superstar” until the U20 championships, when things got shaky! Bo Bassett broke his winning streak at the U20 World Championships. He made it all the way to the semifinals, only to be met with disappointment. He fought against Japan’s Makoto Hosokawa and lost. Bo, the top name for the upcoming collegiate season, however, could not leave without a place on the podium.

Bo had one more chance to win. The bronze medal match was still yet to happen. And win, he did! He took down Georgia’s Nikoloz Beshidze with a 10-0 win. The bronze medal was not enough for Bo or the fandom. The noises online condemned him for this loss. Many went on to question where his college decision stands after losing the match. The match against Zepeda suddenly became a must-win for Bo.

Adding another layer of pressure is the fact that it was set to happen in Johnstown, Bo’s hometown. But what is the sweetest victory of all, if not winning on the mats you were brought up on? On September 29th, at the Johnstown Sports Center, Bo Bassett was a gladiator on the mat. He took control with an early takedown, leading 3-0. But Zepeda was not one to back down! A quick escape worked in Zepeda’s favor, bringing the score to 3-1.

The two were close for a moment, but Bo Bassett had a goal to reach. And he did not intend on reaching it by taking the safe road! He shot for a single leg, and there you have it—another takedown! Bo had a 6-1 lead by the end of the first period. The back-forth battle continues. By the second period, however, Bo decided he was going to keep the lead a little longer. But what Bo did not see coming was Zepeda’s fight back!

Zepeda managed to increase the scores to 10-6. It looked like he just might make a comeback! Bo was not going home without gold. Bo went on to win with a 12-6 lead. And just like that, Bo Bassett won back to his favorite position. On the very top of the charts! And guess what? That is exactly where the fandom likes to see him!

The fandom is back with unending support!

Bo Bassett’s fans are in seventh heaven! The air in Johnstown is reeking of pride. Pride of their hometown boy winning. As the air stayed heavy with loud chants of Bo, one fan couldn’t help but take it to Instagram and write, “Nice home turf, love. Zepeda didn’t stand a chance with this whole parade to walk into.” Another fan went on to proudly remark, “He thought he was wrestling the same Bo from last time.”

One fan humorously went on to state, “Bro went through his villain arc”! The reactions are not just from those in the stands but from wrestling fans all over the country. “Let’s GO BO!” is echoing through Bo’s comments. “Great wrestling, young man, congratulations on the win!” read one comment, putting the mood of the moment into words. “Man on a mission,”  remarked another fan.

But an eagle-eyed fan raised the most important question of all, “Is this kid going to Penn State?” Bo’s unconventional process is old news now, but the process seems to be keeping everyone guessing. His list that started at 80 is now at 17. Big names, including Penn State, Ohio State, and Oklahoma State, are still in the running to call Bo their own.

However, another fan wondering wrote, “Did he commit to Iowa?” Both Iowa and Iowa State are still on Bo’s list. But he remains, as he likes to call it, uncommitted! Another fan went on to sum up the college buzz and wrote, “Gonna be fun watch ’em in college.” Bo has, over the last few years, turned into a fierce but humble competitor.

And the fandom, of course, noticed! “He sure is a great role model for young wrestlers,” one fan noted. A strong response to Daniel Zepeda’s story before the match, where he wrote “Daddy’s home,” was also given by the comments. With one fan writing, “Who’s daddy now?” A 12-6 match definitely settles it all. Bo Bassett is back on top, and he intends to stay. And the world just can’t seem to get enough of him!