“I don’t think there will ever be perspective where I think it’s (a silver medal) good,” Spencer Lee said after falling short against Rei Higuchi in the finals. Team USA’s top seed in the 57 kg division also hoped to win gold in front of his family in France. However, losing 4-2 to the Japanese wrestler and misplacing his silver medal, have led the freestyle wrestling star to introspection.

Although Lee couldn’t live his dream of earning a gold medal in his mother’s homeland, the wrestler didn’t fly to the States with his team. Instead, he chose to stay behind with his family, who showed him they were proud despite the gold medal snub. However, while The Wrestling Room’s Pat Mineo reported that Lee was “still up in the air about LA2028,” the 25-year-old has now cleared the air.

“They sang congrats to me in French (I’m sorry trying to be happy). Got to enjoy some of the beauty of France!” Spencer Lee wrote on Instagram as he uploaded snippets of his extended stay in France. “I don’t think I plan on retiring or anything, time for some side quests!” the Paris 2024 silver medalist added. So while he’s not retiring, he’s taking a break from competitive wrestling.

Lee’s side quests began in the City of Love itself, where he spent quality time with family and friends. The road to the Paris Olympics wasn’t easy for one of Team USA’s top prospects, as he had to bounce back from multiple injuries. The Iowa Hawkeye missed the Tokyo Olympics thanks to a double ACL surgery, and maybe that’s why his finals loss hit home even harder.

Lee came to Paris with high hopes and even brushed up his French to impress his family members in France. So when the 2024 Pan American champion won silver, the first thing he wanted to do was take it off. That’s how much winning the ultimate prize meant to the wrestling phenom. Maybe that’s why the wrestler later gave his medal away to his sister, sharing, “I don’t even know where it is.” 

The only solace came in the realization that Lee didn’t give it his all in the finals. Despite taking an early lead over the Japanese opponent, the 25-year-old couldn’t dictate the pace. Ultimately, the 2-0 lead turned into a 4-2 loss he has struggled to make Higuchi budge. However, despite not winning, the American wrestler earned something valuable, and it’s not silverware!

The wrestling icon earned his opponent’s respect

Besides realizing that he could’ve pushed himself more in such a high-stakes match, Spencer Lee was harsh with himself. “Twenty years from now, try and name Olympic silver medalists. I bet you can’t. It’s because no one cares,” Lee said after his loss. However, that doesn’t mean he didn’t give Rei Higuchi a run for his money.

The 2x U20 world champion made his power felt on the mat inside Champ de Mars. While the 57 kg Olympic champion was aware of Lee’s athleticism and raw talent, he wasn’t ready for his strength. “What impressed me most was his power and strength,” said Higuchi, who got caught off guard early. He continued, “He’s very powerful, very speedy, very physically fit as well. I was aware of that, but what impressed me most was his power and strength.”

The Rio 2016 silver medalist’s wrestling experience came to his rescue in the finals. So the 28-year-old, who is no stranger to the disappointment of second place, showed his American opponent great respect. Who knows? Maybe LA2028 will allow Spencer Lee to redeem himself, just like his Japanese counterpart in Paris. However, for now, he isn’t thinking about winning medals.