Spencer Lee’s trip to Japan allowed him to refocus and recharge for chance at Olympic men’s freestyle wrestling medal

Spencer Lee said he needed to clear wrestling from his mind for a short period.

The former University of Iowa three-time NCAA champion and five-time All-American visited Japan last year. Just an opportunity to reassess, recharge and refocus, following his college career and a brief appearance at the U.S. Open.

“I really enjoyed the peacefulness and being able to walk around and have a lot of time to think,” Lee said. “I’m pretty much alone in another country.”

Lee returned ready to take on the senior-level circuit in men’s freestyle and will contend for an Olympic gold medal at 125.5 pounds (57 kilograms) in Paris. His bracket begins competition Thursday.

Lee, the 20th Hawkeye to wrestle in the Olympics, will attempt to add a title to his Cadet and two Junior World titles.

“He’s been in the fire, so to speak, a lot,” Iowa Coach Tom Brands said. “He’s been hardened that way. He is a veteran through and through. We believe in the best assets of our best wrestlers. He’s got a lot of good qualities, characteristics, assets and it’s time to let them shine through.”

Lee visited Tokyo, Osaka and other places throughout the country, attempting to get wrestling off his mind. A challenging task since people kept asking him to work out with wrestlers during his stay.

“For me, I needed to not think about wrestling but it was hard because even in Japan they have colleges and people wanting me to come train with their guys,” Lee said. “I’m like I came here not to do that.”

Lee connected with friend, Takuto Otoguro, a 2021 Olympic champion (The 2020 Olympics in Tokyo were postponed due to the COVID pandemic). They became friends at the 2014 World Championships. Otoguro talked about how it was hard to prepare for another Olympic cycle but it was his love for the sport that made him realize his potential wasn’t fulfilled with winning Olympic gold.

The goal is to see how good he can be and that doesn’t change with a single accomplishment, even one as grand as the Olympics.

After some introspection, Lee realized his future.

“It was good,” Lee said. “I got to reflect a lot on myself. Obviously, I realized I wanted to keep competing. This is where I belong.”

Brands said Lee has an affection for Japanese culture — no surprise with his Pokémon hobby — and had been talking about taking the trip. He was gone for quite a while and was recharged on his return, which included summer camps and then the start of training.

“It was a good-timing getaway,” Brands said. “It was a good therapeutic getaway. It was also a good reminder that I am in the best wrestler in the world getaway. He went into a really strong wrestling culture there in Japan. … You’re fanning the flames. Just making them burn hot inside of you.”

Lee has throttled opponents the way he wowed folkstyle fans as a three-time Pennsylvania state champion at Franklin Regional High School just outside of Pittsburgh, a five-time All-American, a two-time Hodge Trophy recipient and AAU James E. Sullivan Award winner.

The Hawkeye Wrestling Club wrestler demonstrated his fire and passion, sweeping former Hawkeye and 2021 Olympic bronze medalist Thomas Gilman in the U.S. Olympic Team Trials in April. He dominated his way to one of the Olympic berths in May’s Last Chance Qualifier.

Lee said he’s matured as an athlete and the way he works out. He has officially entered the “train smarter, not harder” stage of his career. He’s thrived.

“It’s different now that you’re a little older in the way you train,” he said. “The way you compete is different. I only compete five or six times a year max. I train in a different way. We’re very calculated.

“It’s all about staying healthy and staying in best shape. Obviously, I’m training with the guys here, making them better and mentoring those guys but you’ve got to focus on yourself as well.”

His quest continues Thursday. Like his entire career, Lee is ready to take on all comers. He would wrestle the world if the format allowed.

“I’ll wrestle anyone,” Lee said. “What I’ve said before is I’d like to wrestle every single guy in the bracket but unfortunately you only get to wrestle, at most, three or four.

“You can only wrestle who they put in front of you. You have to take advantage of it one match at a time.”

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