Iowa State wrestling made more transfer portal moves on Thursday, April 23, by picking up another intriguing lightweight.
Former Oklahoma State wrestler Rin Sakamoto announced his commitment to the Cyclones on Instagram. Wrestling all matches at 133 pounds, he was 0-3 during his time with the Cowboys. In freestyle, the native of Japan is quite talented, having made a pair of U20 World teams and the 2025 Senior World team at 57 kilograms (about 125 pounds).
Sakamoto redshirted the 2024-25 season and wrestled just two matches in December during the 2025-26 campaign. He will have at least three years of eligibility remaining.
With several lightweights departing, Iowa State desperately needed depth and potential starters at 125 and 133. Rutgers transfer Ayden Smith provides a more proven folkstyle option at 125 pounds, having been an NCAA qualifier in 2026. While Sakamoto’s talents haven’t materialized yet in folkstyle, his freestyle acumen for one of the best wrestling countries in the world shows his talent. Wrestling at 57 kilograms in Sept. 2025 at the Senior World Championships proves he could wrestle at 125 or 133 pounds.
Sakamoto is Iowa State’s third pickup in the transfer portal, following Smith and Sakamoto’s former college teammate Brayden Thompson, all of whom have multiple years of eligibility left. Given the departure of several notable wrestlers like Anthony Echemendia, Christian Castillo, Daniel Herrera and others, it looks like the Cyclones are seeking potential long-term options rather than quick stopgaps to fill holes in the roster.
Eli McKown covers high school sports and wrestling for the Des Moines Register. Contact him at Emckown@gannett.com. Follow him on Twitter at @EMcKown23.
This article originally appeared on Des Moines Register: Iowa State wrestling adds Oklahoma State transfer Rin Sakamoto
Reporting by Eli McKown, Des Moines Register / Des Moines Register
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