Penn State Wrestling Lands Commitment from Japanese World Champion Masanosuke Ono
The Penn State wrestling team has landed a major commitment from Japanese world champion Masanosuke Ono, who will join the Nittany Lions for the 2025-26 season.
Ono, 21, is a reigning world champion in freestyle wrestling and has won numerous international titles, including the U20 World Championship and the Japan national championship.
The Japanese wrestler is expected to compete at either 133 or 141 pounds for Penn State, and is projected to be an immediate impact wrestler for the Nittany Lions.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Masanosuke Ono to the Penn State wrestling family,” said Penn State head coach Cael Sanderson. “He’s an incredibly talented wrestler with a strong work ethic and a passion for competition.”
Ono’s commitment is a significant coup for Penn State, which has established itself as one of the premier college wrestling programs in the country under Sanderson’s leadership.
The Nittany Lions are coming off their fifth consecutive NCAA team title and are looking to reload for another championship run in 2025-26.
