Penn State wrestling senior Masanosuke Ono has already accomplished plenty on the mat. The Nittany Lion won the gold medal at the 2024 Senior World Championship in Albania and the 2024 Japanese National Championship.

However, adjusting to life within the United States has presented a different set of challenges and struggles for Ono. The transition has required Ono to focus on life inside and outside the wrestling scene.

“I mean, he probably had everything made in Japan, being a world champion, young, you know, his whole family’s there and stuff. So it’s pretty impressive what he’s done,” senior Rocco Welsh said.

One major adjustment Ono has had to make is the transition from freestyle wrestling, which international tournaments such as the 2024 Senior World Championship use, to the folkstyle format used by the NCAA and American high schools.

The two styles are vastly different.

“Freestyle is different, you know. I mean, it’s scoring points [and] quick exposure. If you get taken down, you lay there for 15 seconds, and you get a free restart,” head coach Cael Sanderson said

Despite having to learn a new style of wrestling, the mat is not the only place that Ono has had to adapt.

Sanderson also noted the academic challenges Ono faces with classes that are not in his first language.

“He’s going to class, and then he’s almost going to class all over again to have an interpreter tell him what’s going on, and then explain everything to him,” Sanderson said.

Despite the additional workload, Sanderson said Ono has been working hard in practice and academically, making significant progress with English.

Sanderson praised Ono for earning A’s and said his passion and commitment to all aspects of life have been impressive. He also described him as coachable, grateful, and humble — qualities that have helped him fit into Penn State’s wrestling program.

“He’s a beast. I love [Ono], so I’m excited to see him compete,” Welsh said.

While Ono continues to adjust to Penn State and the American lifestyle, his overall goals on the mat remain ambitious.

Sanderson said becoming an NCAA champion is Ono’s primary objective. As a team, the Nittany Lions are in the hunt for their sixth consecutive year, but an individual 133-pounder hasn’t brought the crown home to Happy Valley since Roman Bravo-Young in the 2022-23 season.

Ono also faces additional challenges surrounding the Olympic process in Japan, which operates on a much different timeline than the NCAA wrestling season.

“He’s a resilient guy, and he’s gonna make the best of whatever comes, and that’s what he’s doing right now,” Sanderson said.

Sanderson is unsure whether Ono will wrestle Thursday against Bloomsburg in Penn State’s season opener, but he’s close to finalizing the roster.

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