Wyatt Hendrickson has become a viral sensation after his unexpected victory over Olympic champion Gable Steveson on Saturday night in Philadelphia.
The match, which concluded with a thrilling last-minute takedown, was already making headlines due to its shocking outcome in the world of college wrestling. However, it was Hendrickson’s salute to President Donald Trump in the crowd that has gone viral.
Right after grounding Olympic champion Steveson, Hendrickson rose up and did a proper salute at President Trump. For those who don’t know, Hendrickson is a former wrestler and a second lieutenant at the Air Force Academy.
After clinching victory in a nail-biting 5-4 match, Hendrickson’s acknowledgment of Trump, who was in attendance, quickly spread across social media platforms. Videos and images of the moment have been shared on social platforms multiple times.
Wyatt Hendrickson Led The Match To ‘The Craziest Ending In NCAA Wrestling History’
While President Trump and Elon Musk were in attendance, Wyatt Hendrickson achieved a monumental upset in NCAA wrestling by defeating Gable Steveson.
In the gripping match, Hendrickson found himself trailing 4-2 late in the third period but managed to secure a last-second takedown. However, it was significant, considering Steveson had not allowed any takedowns throughout the season.
UFC Hall of Famer Daniel Cormier highlighted the dramatic finish and described it as possibly the craziest ending in NCAA wrestling history.
“This was the craziest ending in NCAA wrestling history,” Cormier wrote on X(formerly Twitter).
The atmosphere before the match was intense, with Steveson making a bold entrance to The Notorious B.I.G.’s “Big Poppa.” While Hendrickson carried the American flag with pride, walking out to “Copperhead Road.”
“It didn’t matter who was in front of me. I set a goal to be the champion. To be the best, you’ve got to beat the best—and I did,” Hendrickson said.
With this victory, Hendrickson capped an undefeated season and earned his first national title, ending Steveson’s impressive 70-match winning streak. Steveson was aiming for his third national title and had previously defeated Hendrickson in 2021, making this win particularly sweet for Hendrickson.
