Bo Bassett

Bo Bassett
Bassett in 2023
Personal information
Full nameBowen William Bassett
Born (2006-08-25) August 25, 2006 (age 20)
Windber, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Weight65 kg (143 lb)
Websitehoo.be/bo.bassett
Sport
Country United States
SportWrestling
Events
Freestyle and Folkstyle
College teamVirginia Tech
ClubYoung Guns Wrestling Club
Coached byWilliam Bassett
Medal record
Men's freestyle wrestling
Representing the  United States
US National Championships
Gold medal – first place2026 Las Vegas65 kg
Grand Prix
Gold medal – first place2025 New York City65 kg
U20 World Championships
Gold medal – first place2026 Bratislava65 kg
Bronze medal – third place2024 Pontevedra65 kg
U17 World Championships
Gold medal – first place2021 Budapest45 kg
Junior Pan American Games
Gold medal – first place2025 Asunción65 kg
U20 Pan American Championships
Gold medal – first place2024 Lima65 kg
Gold medal – first place2026 Rio de Janeiro65 kg
U17 Pan American Championships
Gold medal – first place2021 Oaxtepec45 kg
U20 US National Championships
Gold medal – first place2024 Las Vegas65 kg
Gold medal – first place2026 Las Vegas65 kg
Bronze medal – third place2025 Las Vegas65 kg
Men's greco-roman wrestling
Representing the  United States
U17 Pan American Championships
Gold medal – first place2021 Oaxtepec45 kg
Men's Folkstyle wrestling
Representing the BMCT Crimson Crushers
PIAA AA State Championships
Gold medal – first place2026 Hershey145 lb
Gold medal – first place2025 Hershey145 lb
Gold medal – first place2024 Hershey139 lb
South West AA Regionals
Gold medal – first place2026 Altoona145 lb
Gold medal – first place2025 Altoona145 lb
Gold medal – first place2024 Altoona139 lb
6 AA Districts
Gold medal – first place2026 Altoona145 lb
Gold medal – first place2025 Altoona145 lb
Gold medal – first place2024 Altoona139 lb

Bowen William Bassett (born August 25, 2006) is an American freestyle and folkstyle wrestler who competes at 65 kilograms. In freestyle, he has most notably claimed the US National Championship, the U20 World Championship, the U17 World Championship and the Junior Pan American Games gold medal.

By claiming the gold medal at the 2021 U17 World Championships, Bassett became the youngest world champion in history, at the age of 14. He is currently signed to the featherweight division of Real American Freestyle (RAF).

In folkstyle, Bassett is considered to have been one of the most accomplished high school wrestlers of all time, and is currently a college freshman wrestling for the Virginia Tech Hokies.

Early life

Bassett was born in Windber, Pennsylvania, the son of nurse Karissa (née Hamilton) and educator William Bassett. He started wrestling at the age of 6.

Bassett grew up being a fan of Spencer Lee, and cites him as his inspiration for taking up wrestling. Bassett and Lee have trained together at the Young Guns Wrestling Club in Ebensburg, Pennsylvania.

Bassett initially attended Forest Hills Junior-Senior High School, where his father was the junior varsity wrestling coach before being fired in July 2020. After that incident and also due to academic reasons, Bassett transferred to Bishop McCort High School after completing seventh grade, where his father was named head varsity wrestling coach.

High school career

As an eight-grader (2020–2021), Bassett claimed the 2021 U17 World Championship gold medal at 45 kilograms in freestyle, becoming the youngest world champion in history. He had also claimed the U17 Pan American title earlier in the year.

Bassett then reclassified and attended eight grade for a second time in 2021–2022, which he would face backlash for later on in his career. That same year, his coach and father was issued a two-year ban from coaching by the PIAA after an alleged violation of state recruiting policies. This ban also applied to the Bishop McCort wrestling program, as they were barred from competing in post-season tournaments for two seasons.

After going 18–0 as a freshman in 2022–2023, Bassett was unable to compete in the post-season. He then went on to amase an undefeated record of 170–0 and claim three PIAA Class AA state titles during his next three years.

At the national level, Bassett was a four-time winner of the Super 32 tournament, the first ever to do so in the boy’s division, a four-time winner of the Walsh Jesuit Ironman, and a three-time winner of the Powerade Wrestling Tournament.

Bassett had originally committed to the University of Iowa in February 2025, though would later decommit in June 2025. He would then announce in October 2025 his commitment to Virginia Tech, along with his adopted brother and fellow top recruit Melvin Miller. Bassett graduated in May 2026.

Freestyle and collegiate career

Bishop McCort High School (freestyle)

2024

Since his sophomore year in high school, Bassett was active on the senior level in freestyle. In April, Bassett made his senior level debut and claimed a silver medal at the US Olympic Team Trials Last Chance Qualifier, notably defeating 2019 NCAA champion Anthony Ashnault in the semifinals, though failing to qualify for the US Olympic Team Trials. Later in the year, Bassett claimed the U20 Pan American title as well as a bronze medal at the U20 World Championships.

2025

In May, Bassett competed at the US World Team Trials, where after defeating three-time All-American Beau Bartlett, he fell to an also three-time All-American Brock Hardy and fellow U17 World champion Marcus Blaze. He was then unsuccessful in repeating as the US U20 World Team Member, taking second at the US U20 World Team Trials. However, he claimed a gold medal at the Junior Pan American Games held in Paraguay.

In November, Bassett claimed the Bill Farrell Memorial International title, most notably defeating Bartlett for a second time in the finals. A few weeks later, he pinned 2009 NCAA champion Darrion Caldwell in his Real American Freestyle debut at RAF 3.

2026

To start off the year, Bassett beat YouTuber and NCAA Division II National qualifier Cayden Henschel at RAF 5 in January. In March, he defeated World and Olympic champion from Georgia Vladimer Khinchegashvili at RAF 7.

In April, Bassett became the US National champion and qualified for Final X after claiming the gold medal at the US Open National Championships, notably defeating freshly crowned NCAA champion Aden Valencia, familiar foe Beau Bartlett and two-time Pan American champion Joseph McKenna. That same weekend, Bassett also won the gold medal for the U20 division, earning a spot in the finals of the US U20 World Team Trials.

Virginia Tech

2026

After graduating high school in May, Bassett won his two-out-of-three series for the US U20 World Team Trials at the end of the month. He was then set to compete in a two-out-of-three series against returning World medalist Real Woods for the US World Team spot, however, Woods requested a delay of the match due to a knee infection, and the series will now take place in September.

In July, Bassett claimed his second U20 Pan American title. In August, he upgraded from his bronze medal performance in 2024 into a gold medal one at the U20 World Championships, becoming a two-time age-group world champion.

Freestyle record

Greco-Roman record

Folkstyle Record

Personal life

Bassett has trained in Brazilian jiu-jitsu, to help prepare for a future transition to mixed martial arts.

He is a practicing Christian.

References

  1. ↑ Warner, Tristan (May 12, 2026). "Bo Bassett (Johnstown, Pa./Bishop McCort) named WIN's Junior Dan Hodge Trophy recipient". WIN Magazine. Retrieved August 29, 2026.
  2. ↑ FloSports (August 14, 2026). "Bo Bassett Tried The Impossible". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved August 29, 2026.
  3. 1 2 "Johnstown welcomes home world wrestling champion Bo Bassett". WTAJ.
  4. ↑ Holland, Jesse (February 5, 2026). "Multiple bouts booked for RAF07 on March 28 feat. 19 year-old wrestling phenom Bo Bassett (Updated)". MMA Mania: UFC news, results, videos, rumors, fights. Retrieved August 29, 2026.
  5. ↑ Tribune-Democrat, The; Johnstown; read, Pa ·1 min (June 24, 2026). "Bo Bassett named MaxPreps Pennsylvania male athlete of the year". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved August 29, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  6. ↑ Bhattacharya, Soumik. (January 6, 2025). Bo Bassett makes his feelings known on career accomplishments, a month after becoming 3-time Ironman champion. Sportskeeda. Retrieved November 7, 2025.
  7. ↑ "Bo Bassett". RUDIS. November 29, 2024. Retrieved October 17, 2025.
  8. ↑ George, Amitha Reji (August 25, 2025). "Bo Bassett's new chapter at high school sparks emotional note from mother Karissa". Sportskeeda. Retrieved October 18, 2025.
  9. 1 2 Benson, Trey (February 27, 2025). "Spencer Lee's return to Iowa for FloWrestling Night in America inspires next generation, Hawkeye recruit Bo Bassett". The Daily Iowan. Retrieved October 18, 2025.
  10. ↑ Knopsnyder, Eric (July 25, 2020). "Bassett stunned at removal as Forest Hills junior high wrestling coach". The Tribune-Democrat. Retrieved October 18, 2025.
  11. ↑ Knopsnyder, Eric (May 26, 2021). "Bill Bassett to lead Bishop McCort wrestling program". Yahoo News. Retrieved October 18, 2025.
  12. ↑ "Bo Bassett". American Federation for Children. July 31, 2025. Retrieved October 18, 2025.
  13. ↑ "Takedown Camp 6/15". Young Guns Wrestling Camps. Retrieved August 29, 2026.
  14. ↑ Sauertieg, Clay (January 6, 2025). "High School Wrestler Bo Bassett Is So Dominant That Fans Complain About Age Doping". BroBible. Retrieved October 17, 2025.
  15. ↑ Ray, Phil (February 12, 2022). "Sanctions against McCort upheld". Altoona Mirror. Retrieved October 17, 2025.
  16. ↑ Ripple, Adam (December 2, 2021). "PIAA upholds suspension handed down by D6 against McCort wrestling". Daily American. Retrieved October 18, 2025.
  17. ↑ "PA-Wrestling.com : Your online resource for Pennsylvania Wrestling". www.pa-wrestling.com. Retrieved August 29, 2026.
  18. ↑ "Bo Bassett". PA-Wrestling.com. Retrieved October 17, 2025.
  19. ↑ Senn, Caden (March 8, 2025). "Bo Basset Wins Second State Title At PIAA State Wrestling Championships". FloWrestling. Retrieved October 17, 2025.
  20. ↑ Mendoza, Madelyn (March 8, 2026). "Bo Bassett Claims 3rd Straight PIAA Title, Secures Undefeated Career". FloWrestling. Retrieved March 9, 2026.
  21. ↑ Buckheit, Billy (October 20, 2025). "Bo Bassett Makes Super 32 History — But He Wasn't the Only Four-Time Champ Crowned in Greensboro". High School On SI. Retrieved April 10, 2026.
  22. ↑ Buckheit, Billy (October 20, 2025). "Bo Bassett Makes Super 32 History — But He Wasn't the Only Four-Time Champ Crowned in Greensboro". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved October 20, 2025.
  23. ↑ "Individual Christmas Tournament Champions" (PDF). PA Power Wrestling. Retrieved October 20, 2025.
  24. ↑ Buckheit, Billy (December 9, 2024). "Faith Christian Academy Dominates Walsh Ironman Wrestling Tournament, Claims National Glory". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved October 20, 2025.
  25. ↑ Lindenmuth, Mason. (December 17, 2025). Bo Bassett Wins Historic Fourth Ironman, FCA Takes Home Title. FloWrestling. Retrieved April 4, 2026.
  26. ↑ Hamilton, Andy (June 23, 2025). "Why Did Bo Bassett Decommit From Iowa Wrestling". FloWrestling. Retrieved August 29, 2026.
  27. ↑ Kozak, Jon (October 4, 2025). "Bo Bassett & Melvin Miller Commit To Wrestle At Virginia Tech". FloWrestling. Retrieved August 29, 2026.
  28. ↑ Tribune-Democrat, The (May 30, 2026). "Bishop McCort graduate Bo Bassett earns spot on U20 world team". The Tribune-Democrat. Retrieved August 29, 2026.
  29. ↑ "High school wrestling star Bo Bassett to make Real American Freestyle debut at RAF3 in Chicago". AP News. October 17, 2025. Retrieved August 29, 2026.
  30. ↑ Bray, David (April 7, 2024). "WATCH High School Sophomore Bo Bassett Tech NCAA Champion Anthony Ashnault". FloWrestling. Retrieved August 29, 2026.
  31. ↑ mmastovich@tribdem.com, Mike Mastovich (September 8, 2024). "Bishop McCort wrestler Bo Bassett earns bronze at U20 World Championships". The Tribune-Democrat. Retrieved August 29, 2026.
  32. ↑ "Penn State Wrestling Commit Marcus Blaze Beats Iowa Commit Bo Bassett at Team Trials". Penn State Nittany Lions On SI. May 17, 2025. Retrieved August 29, 2026.
  33. ↑ "Bo Bassett vs Luke Stanich | 2025 U20 World Team Trials Finals - FloWrestling - Wrestling". www.flowrestling.org. Retrieved August 29, 2026.
  34. ↑ Mastovich, Mike (August 24, 2025). "Bishop McCort's Bo Bassett wins Junior Pan American Games gold in dominating fashion". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved October 17, 2025.
  35. ↑ "Parris returns to gold, Bassett OW in men's freestyle at 2025 Bill Farrell Memorial International". www.themat.com. November 9, 2025. Retrieved August 29, 2026.
  36. ↑ Tribune-Democrat, The; Johnstown; read, Pa ·1 min (November 30, 2025). "Bishop McCort's Bo Bassett pins former NCAA champ in Real American Freestyle debut". Yahoo Sports. Retrieved March 9, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  37. ↑ Tribune-Democrat, The (January 11, 2026). "Bishop McCort's Bo Bassett wins 2nd pro match at RAF 05". The Tribune-Democrat. Retrieved August 29, 2026.
  38. ↑ Tribune-Democrat, The (March 29, 2026). "Bo Bassett scores technical fall in RAF 07 bout against 2016 Olympic champion". The Tribune-Democrat. Retrieved August 29, 2026.
  39. ↑ Ellis, R. R. (April 25, 2026). "US Open Wrestling Finals Results 2026. Here's Every Champion". FloWrestling. Retrieved April 26, 2026.
  40. ↑ Buckheit, Billy (April 27, 2026). "Bo Bassett Dominates U.S. Open as Top High School Wrestling Stars Shine in U20 Freestyle Finals". High School On SI. Retrieved May 9, 2026.
  41. ↑ "U20 Men's Freestyle World Team Set; Cortez Makes Third U20 Team, Bassett Second". www.themat.com. May 30, 2026. Retrieved August 29, 2026.
  42. ↑ "Woods, Bassett Square Off at 65 kg in Men's Freestyle at 2026 Final X, presented by Kerberos Capital Management". www.themat.com. May 25, 2026. Retrieved August 29, 2026.
  43. ↑ "Bo Bassett headlines talented roster for 2026 U20 Pan American Championships in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil". www.themat.com. June 24, 2026. Retrieved August 29, 2026.
  44. ↑ "Bassett Back On Top, U.S. Adds Four Medals To Men's Freestyle Haul At U20 World Championships". www.themat.com. August 22, 2026. Retrieved August 29, 2026.
  45. ↑ Van Wey, Walker (February 6, 2023). "Bo Bassett Eyes Combat Sports Domination". UFC. Retrieved October 18, 2025.
  46. ↑ "Bo Bassett". WWCP-TV. February 28, 2025. Retrieved October 17, 2025.