Two-time NCAA champion and Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson has decided to forgo the 2023 World Championships later this month. Instead, Hodge Trophy winner Mason Parris will represent Team USA.

At the 2022 NCAA Championships, Steveson won the heavyweight title, hit a backflip, then left his shoes in the center of the mat, signifying his retirement from wrestling. In April of 2023, Steveson announced that he would be returning to competitive wrestling.

Steveson's return was successful. He dominated his way through the 2023 US Open then defeated Mason Parris in two straight matches in their best-of-three series at Final X.

Mason Parris will now compete for the first time at a Senior World Championship event, but he is a well-qualified replacement for Steveson. In addition to being an NCAA Champion and Hodge Trophy winner, Parris also won the 2019 Junior World Championships and defeated Iranian World champ Amir Zare in the finals.

Mason Parris' Junior World Championships victory over Amir Zare

The Senior World Championships take place in Belgrade, Serbia September 16 through 24. All matches will be live on FloWrestling.