Schultz Video Rewind: Justin Lester (USA) vs. Yuji Okamoto (JPN), 2011 DSMI 66 kg finals

Justin Lester, known by most as “Harry,” was among the most talented and successful U.S. Greco-Roman stars of the last decade. Lester, a native of Ohio, tore up high school wrestling as a four-time state champion who had great achievements in both styles in USA Wrestling programs. Lester initially went to Iowa State to wrestle, but transferred to Northern Michigan, where he was a trailblazer in its USOEC Greco-Roman program. He won World bronze medals in 2006 and 2007. After graduation at NMU, he joined the U.S. Army WCAP program and continued to excel. Going into 2011, Lester still had not achieved his goal of wrestling in the Olympics. He entered the 2011 Dave Schultz at 66 kg, where he had his most success internationally, and reached the finals against Yuji Okamoto of Japan, who was fifth in the 2007 Junior Worlds. Okamoto won the first period 7-1, but Lester was not done. Check out his second period! Lester went on to make the 2012 Olympic Team. He was one of the best Greco athletes in Dave Schultz Memorial history, winning gold four different years. Lester now coaches on the high school level in his native Ohio. Cover photo on home page of Lester in 2011 Schultz finals by Larry Slater.