Wrestling: World Champ Masanosuke Ono Listed as ‘Student’ in Penn State Directory

Although nothing is official yet, wrestling world champion Masanosuke Ono is listed as a “student” in the Penn State directory.

Wrestling insider Pat Mineo posted Thursday morning that Ono— who had previously been listed as a “member,” which gave him access to Nittany Lion Wrestling Club’s facilities— has been accepted as a student and thus is listed as one.

🚨BREAKING: Japanese superstar Ono has been accepted to Penn State University and is now listed as a “student” in the directory.

Is it really happening? pic.twitter.com/3Tv640EAtP

— The Wrestling Room (Pat Mineo) (@MrPatMineo) March 20, 2025

Although neither Ono or Penn State has announced anything yet, this would be a huge deal.

Ono, a 21-year-old from Japan, won the world title at 61 KG this past fall in Albania, only giving up two total points in his five matches and tech-falling everybody in his last four.

WHERE WOULD HE FIT?

So where would Ono fit at Penn State? The obvious answer would be “well, anywhere, he’s a world champ.”

But, realistically, the best option for him seems to be at 133.

With or without Ono, Penn State wrestling is slated to have a few options at 133 last season.

Braeden Davis, the team’s current starter, will have two years of eligibility left. Aaron Nagao, who started last year and then lost all of this season to injury, is also slated to be in the mix, and there’s also a chance Luke Lilledahl, the current No. 1 NCAA seed at 125, moves up as Davis did from 125 after last season.

We’ll see what happens, but Ono would become the instant favorite to win it all at 133 should he come to Penn State.