ASTANA, KAZAKHSTAN – The best 65-kilogram wrestler in the world hails from Blacksburg by way of Johnstown, PA, and his name is Bo Bassett. The freshman phenom has yet to don the Virginia Tech singlet but has already started to make history as a Hokie, winning the 65-kilogram bracket of the 2026 Wrestling Championships to become the program’s first senior-level world champion and the first American to win the weight class since 2006.
Best in the world
After an undefeated opening day, the Hokie met Armenia’s world champion, four-time world medalist, and two-time Olympian Vazgen Tevanyan in the finals on Friday, October 30, to determine the king of 65-kilograms. It was a signature Bo Bassett performance from the starting whistle, featuring a persistent, relentless hand fight and becoming a moving target. Tevanyan struck first with a step-out point, but that would be the only score he would record as it became the Bassett show, with a score in short time before the first period ended to lead 2-1. After the break, it was more Bassett pace, adding two successive takedowns to lead 6-1. With frustration setting in, Tevanyan was admonished for a wild swing to increase Bassett’s lead to 7-1. Bassett added a swing single for insurance and ultimately held the score at 9-1 to be crowned king of 65-kilograms.
Not done in Astana, assistant coach James Green takes the mat for his round of competition beginning tomorrow at 1:30 a.m. ET live on Flowrestling.
It is a quick turnaround for Bassett and the Hokies as attention shifts to the dual season opener against the No. 14 Lehigh Mountain Hawks’ eight ranked wrestlers, with a potential marquee match featuring two world champions: No. 5 Bo Bassett vs. No. 1 Luke Stanich. Tech faces the Mountain Hawks on Friday, November 6, at 7 p.m. ET in Stabler Arena in Bethlehem, PA.
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