Spencer Lee wins world title while wrestling on a torn ACL

Spencer Lee claimed his first senior-level world championship on Sunday while wrestling with a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

The 28-year-old American defeated Roman Bravo-Young of Mexico in the final bout of the 57-kg men’s freestyle competition. Lee won the match by a 10-0 technical fall in just 25 seconds. Bravo-Young, a former two-time NCAA champion from Penn State, represented Mexico in the title fight.

Lee entered the tournament with a torn ACL, an injury he sustained three months prior. He told reporters that he considered stepping aside from the event after the diagnosis. Lee stated he decided to compete anyway because he is 28 years old and has limited time left for such injuries. He recorded four technical falls and one pin across five matches during the two-day event.

The path to the gold medal included a difficult semifinal against Islam Bazarganov of Azerbaijan. Lee trailed by 10-3 before executing a reversal in the second period to pin his opponent. Lee said he knew Bazarganov would attempt the move because the Azerbaijani wrestler had used it successfully against him the previous year. Lee noted that while he had been turned twice in his career, he was prepared for the counter.

Lee’s victory contributed to the United States winning the men’s freestyle team title. He was one of five world champions for Team USA at this year’s tournament. The win adds to a resume that includes three PIAA titles at Franklin Regional, three NCAA titles at Iowa, and an Olympic silver medal in 2024. Lee finished his high school career at Franklin Regional with a 144-1 record.

The wrestler has battled ACL injuries throughout his career. He won his third NCAA title with the same injury while a junior at Iowa in 2021. He also wrestled his final high school match in 2017 with a torn ACL, losing 6-5 to Austin DeSanto of Exeter. Lee said he is unsure if he will compete next year or at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.