Oklahoma State wrestling fans have seen their fair share of memorable moments, but few have sparked as much conversation as the viral scene from their recent dual against Iowa. And honestly, what a wholesome gesture it was for the wrestling star who grew up in Tokyo and only moved to the United States to attend University! During freshman Rin Sakamoto’s debut, OSU coaches were spotted holding up Japanese translation cards in the corner—something rarely, if ever, seen in college wrestling. At first glance, many assumed it was some sort of gimmick, but David Taylor, recently set the record straight.

In an interview with Pistols Firing, Taylor said it was a smart and necessary move to help Sakamoto adjust to an entirely new world of wrestling, both stylistically and linguistically. “It was just a couple phrases that Rin wanted to be reminded of… just a couple reminders in the moment that kept him present,” Taylor explained.

But beyond the viral moment, Sakamoto’s debut told a bigger story— the steep learning curve of transitioning to college wrestling in the U.S. As Sakamoto’s English was still not proficient, OSU staff had to find a way to communicate with him for the game. Spoken words were not going to cut it—so written translations were utilized instead. Coaches were present throughout the dual, holding Japanese translation cards in the corner. They gave Sakamoto short, simple instructions he could interpret in real-time. One card instructed him to “stay calm,” reminding him to keep his head.

Sakamoto’s debut came under the brightest lights possible—a heated rivalry match against Iowa, where he was tasked with taking on No. 2-ranked Drake Ayala at 133 pounds. It was a brutal first assignment, and as expected, Sakamoto struggled, falling 11-1 by a major decision. However, considering the circumstances, the result wasn’t the biggest takeaway.

Sakamoto, born and raised in Tokyo, Japan, had already made waves in his home country as part of Japan’s under-20 national team. He had wrestled on the world stage, competing in freestyle, but now he found himself adjusting to folk-style wrestling, a completely different beast. On top of that, he was battling not just elite opponents but also a language barrier. But hey, he still braved his way through it.

Loss but a learning experience

Despite being defeated, Sakamoto proved he wasn’t going to give up. Wrestling a top-two opponent in your first college match is tough enough for anyone, much less a wrestler in a foreign country and style. On top of that, he was a surprise weigh-in for Oklahoma State at 133. And that’s how he made his entry into the arena filled with 14,847 people, that were largely against him.

This is only the beginning for Sakamoto, Taylor said. Though his debut was a loss, the experience was priceless. Taylor observed that Sakamoto’s natural talent and fire for competition are already in place—it’s a matter of fine-tuning his folk-style technique.

“He’s arguably Japan’s one of their best guys at 57 kilos…” Taylor said. “Japan’s not sending guys to Asian Championships they don’t think are going to be pretty competitive.”

This is not a project but a genuine talent with promise. With time, instruction, and Oklahoma State’s staff continuing to facilitate him, he could be a genuine thorn in the 133-pound competition’s side.

And while his coaches will not always use flashcards, the wrestling world will follow his progress with a keen eye. Sakamoto’s first bout in an Oklahoma State singlet wasn’t a victory but a message. All his coaches believe in his development; his work ethic is not questioned, and his potential is unlimited.