Gable Steveson Trained Palisades High Wrestlers
Olympic medalist Gable Steveson led a practice for local students at the newly reopened Ludus martial arts gym.
Updated on Sept. 26, 2026 in Wrestling
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Olympic gold medalist Gable Steveson held a training session for the 54-student Palisades High wrestling team on September 16, 2026. The event took place at the Ludus martial arts gym in Pacific Palisades to accommodate the team after assistant principal Josh Wilson arranged the visit.
Why it matters
The collaboration provided professional-level guidance for high school athletes who currently face space constraints in their own wrestling room. It follows Steveson's recent high-profile competition at UFC 331, where he suffered a quick loss to Sean Sharaf.
Steveson lost his UFC 331 match in 12 seconds against underdog Sean Sharaf, who entered with 12-to-1 odds. The Palisades High wrestling team currently consists of 54 students, including 7 girls.
The players
Gable Steveson
He is an Olympic gold medalist and professional wrestler who recently entered professional mixed martial arts.
Brandon Gibson
He is a professional trainer who sparred with Steveson during the high school training event.
Josh Wilson
He is the assistant principal at Palisades High who organized the training opportunity for the students.
Sean Sharaf
He is an MMA fighter who defeated Steveson at UFC 331.
The details
During the session, Steveson sparred with trainer Brandon Gibson while instructing the local team. The event utilized the Ludus gym, which reopened on August 15, 2026, to provide the large student group with adequate training space.
Timeline
August 15, 2026: Ludus martial arts gym reopened in Pacific Palisades.
September 16, 2026: Gable Steveson conducted the training session.
September 26, 2026: This article was published.
Season Trajectory
Steveson's return to the mat following his UFC 331 defeat highlights his ongoing transition between professional combat sports and amateur mentorship. This appearance impacts the Palisades High team's preparation as they utilize external professional resources during their season.
The session highlights the logistical challenges faced by the 54-student roster due to limited space in their home facility. Student-athletes gained direct technical instruction from an Olympic-level participant, which may influence their approach to upcoming matches.
The takeaway
Professional athletes often bridge the gap between their training cycles and community outreach to refine their own fundamentals. Aspiring athletes can look for local gym partnerships to overcome facility limitations and access expert coaching.
Further reading
For more news on amateur and professional grappling events, visit Wrestling.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Palisadian-Post.
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