It has been almost 453 days since that fateful night. Remember what happened on Aug. 18. on North High Street? Ohio State’s star wrestler Sammy Sasso was caught up in an unfortunate moment. Sasso was a victim of carjacking near the University District. Two armed suspects demanded his car. And unfortunately, the altercation turned violent.

Sammy Sasso was shot in his abdomen. This left him critically injured, requiring emergency surgery. It gets worse. The bullet’s trajectory caused major nerve damage near his spinal region. The doctors weren’t sure he would even walk ever again, let alone wrestle. But Sasso had one goal and one goal alone from the moment he opened his eyes. To get back on the mat! And as of November 14, 2024, The Savage Sammy Sasso is back!

Sammy Sasso returns with a match to remember

After a long journey of recovery, Sasso has once again donned his Ohio State singlet. On the 14th of November, at the Covelli Center, he got back on the mat. This was not a big moment just because of his return but also because Sasso has a history of slipping up at crucial moments. He is, of course, a four-time All-American and two-time Big Ten Champion. But he has also come to the NCAA titles at 149 pounds twice and lost during finals! And Nov 14 was not going to be easy.

However, for Sasso, it seems like the return to practice itself feels like a blessing. As Sasso puts it, “You take it for granted when you just come to practice every day, so this just makes me appreciate it more.” So when he got back on the mat, he was ready to give it his all. And soon, Sammy Sasso went on to face Jackson Hurst of Tennessee-Chattanooga. Sasso started strong and got an immediate takedown, too! By the end of the first period, Sasso had taken a 9-4 lead.

Sasso managed to keep his lead going and ended the match with a 12-6. The moment was an emotional one. Sasso knew it, Coach Tom Ryan did, and above all, the crowd did! But the recovery to make this win had days when Sasso couldn’t even walk! As Sasso himself puts it, “I was wrestling better than I was walking at one point, as crazy as that sounds. I would come into practice walking with a cane, put on shoes, and go start wrestling hard.” This was not just a winning moment but a statement of return. Even head coach Tom Ryan, who has pretty much seen it all in his time, was awestruck.

Coach Ryan went on to say, “I’ve been doing this for 32 years. From where he was to what he wants—this is one of the most amazing things I’ve seen.” Kudos to Sammy Sasso! The best part of this story, apart from the return itself, is that this was just the beginning. In fact, it’s just the first of many duals!

What lies ahead for the Buckeyes and Sammy Sasso?

The road ahead is not getting any easier for either the Buckeyes or Sammy Sasso. Next stop? The next showdown scheduled for November 24, 2024, is against Edinboro University. Ohio State has a spotless 3-0 record against Edinboro, including a 53-0 win last November. However, for Sasso, no match can be taken lightly, and the road ahead gets tougher.

After Edinboro, the Buckeyes are packed. They have a match against Hofstra at home, the Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational, and a tough matchup against the University of Pittsburgh. While the schedule and matches are hard enough, Sasso has given himself yet another challenge. This season, Sammy Sasso has left behind the comfort of his 149-weight class (from 2023) and switched to 165 pounds. Now, this is a make-or-break move. However, Coach Ryan says otherwise.

Coach Tom Ryan believes in the “new Sammy.” “There’s been a lot of learning that has occurred for him,” Ryan said. It is hard to push that statement aside, especially when it comes from a man who has built several destinies. Sammy Sasso is back and back for good. The world will have to wait and watch out for the surprises the NCAA Pandora’s box holds.