Iowa City, proudly referred to as “Wrestletown, USA,” is currently home to Japanese Olympian Keisuke Otoguro. The accomplished wrestler is training alongside the University of Iowa wrestling teams as he prepares for a future role as a coach for Japan’s national team.

Originally from Yamanashi, Japan, Otoguro is from a region that has shared a nearly 70-year sister-state bond with Iowa—one rooted in altruism and cultural exchange. Though shaped by his own ambitions, Otoguro reflects the enduring spirit of that partnership.

Now, through a two-year scholarship from the Japanese Olympic Committee, Otoguro is in Iowa to study U.S. wrestling programs and enhance his English skills. He lives and trains in Iowa City, fully immersed in the wrestling community.

Otoguro’s journey echoes a path taken by another influential figure in Japanese wrestling: Hideaki Tomiyama, now president of the Japan Wrestling Federation. In the 1980s, Tomiyama trained in Iowa under Dan Gable and shared the mat with Tom and Terry Brands—then athletes, now coaches of the very program Otoguro trains with. Like Otoguro, his time in Iowa left a lasting mark and helped strengthen ties between the two wrestling communities.

Otoguro’s first encounter with Iowa’s passionate wrestling culture was during the 2018 Wrestling World Cup held at Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

“The number of fans was incomparable to Japan, and the enthusiasm was amazing, so I thought that Iowa wrestling is amazing,” shared Otoguro.

That moment would eventually lead to something greater when Otoguro crossed paths with Iowa alumnus John Lemkuil (BSE ‘88).

Lemkuil, an Iowa wrestling fan originally from Indianola, now lives in Japan. He’s spent more than three decades abroad, but his connection to Iowa has remained strong.

Lemkuil’s interest in wrestling grew when he took his son to an Iowa wrestling camp and he met Spencer Lee. Lee mentioned the Otoguro brothers, which prompted Lemkuil to reach out. Back in Japan, Lemkuil met both Keisuke and his younger brother, Takuto, a 2020 Tokyo Olympic gold medalist, at a national tournament in Japan.

Over time, Lemkuil invited the Otoguros to help coach at his son’s high school wrestling camps, deepening their friendship.  

When Otoguro wanted to apply for the Olympic scholarship and needed a U.S. sponsor, he turned to Lemkuil for help. Lemkuil reached out to Iowa wrestling coaches Tom and Terry Brands, who were immediately on board.

Lemkuil and his family helped Otoguro secure a U.S. visa, enroll in an English program at Kirkwood Community College, and even tutored him for the entrance exam. Once accepted, Lemkuil helped him move to Iowa City and get settled.

"For me, it's helping to be the bridge between Japan, wrestling, and Iowa," Lemkuil shared. "It's a fun thing. I mean, helping Keisuke took some time, but it was wonderful.”

Otoguro has also made a strong impression on Iowa wrestling head coach Tom Brands.

"He is very engaged in what we do,” said Brands. “We are fortunate to have him with us. Because of how engaged he is, his language improved very quickly."

“My teammates don’t speak Japanese, but they make sure to explain things in simple terms that I can understand. They show me lots of support."

Lemkuil says the experience has been rewarding for both sides.

"It's wonderful to have an international way to connect Japan and the U.S., and more so Iowa, and so that's a wonderful thing,” Lemkuil said. “I think [Keisuke] appreciates everything that he's done, and he's loving the opportunity that he's got."

Now settled in, Otoguro is seeing the differences between Japanese and American training styles up close.

"The biggest difference between training in Japan and America is the schedule," Otoguro said. "In Japan, we switch wrestling partners throughout practice, but in America, you usually train with the same person. Also, practices in Japan are shorter than those in America."

Despite the adjustments in training style and daily life, Otoguro says he’s been able to overcome language barriers and cultural differences with the help of his teammates.

“My teammates don’t speak Japanese, but they make sure to explain things in simple terms that I can understand,” Otoguro said. “They show me lots of support. We get food together, they check in on me, and they help me with any difficulties I have. Even during practice, if I don’t understand what the coach is saying, they’ll show me or explain it differently, which is really reassuring.”

As Otoguro continues to train and grow in Iowa City, his presence signals more than just athletic development—it represents a deepening bond between two wrestling programs and sister-states. With Otoguro arranging to bring Japan’s national team to Iowa next year, and Lemkuil’s interest spreading to women’s wrestling, the future of this international wrestling partnership is bright. In Iowa City, Otoguro has found more than a training ground—he has found a second home. 

International Programs (IP) at the University of Iowa (UI) is committed to enriching the global experience of UI students, faculty, staff, and the general public by leading efforts to promote internationally oriented teaching, research, creative work, and community engagement.  IP provides support for international students and scholars, administers scholarships and assistance for students who study, intern, or do research abroad, and provides funding opportunities and grant-writing assistance for faculty engaged in international research. IP shares their stories through various media, and by hosting multiple public engagement activities each year.