Ben Askren has made a remarkable return to wrestling roughly a year after a life-threatening medical crisis. The Hartland native, known for winning titles at the WIAA, NCAA and Bellator levels, was back on the mat in Milwaukee after undergoing a double lung transplant.
The comeback carries extra weight because of how serious his condition had been. A year earlier, Askren was still in the hospital around his 41st birthday and was not well enough to go home, underscoring how uncertain his recovery once looked.
His appearance in Milwaukee marked more than just another wrestling moment. It represented a second chance for a decorated athlete who had come close to losing his life before fighting his way back to competition.
For Askren, the return shows how dramatically his circumstances have changed in a short time. After facing a medical emergency and a long recovery, he was able to step back into the sport that helped define his career.
