Duane and Dennis Koslowski stayed together through family challenges, raised by their aunt and uncle.
Highlights
- Duane Koslowski and his twin brother Dennis Koslowski lost their mother at the age of 2.
- Rather than being motivated by aggression or hatred (as his coach once suggested), Duane was known for his charisma, wit, and humor, making him a memorable figure in the wrestling community beyond his athletic achievements.
- His experience of growing up without a mother profoundly shaped his approach to family life – despite his high-level athletic career, he prioritized being present for small moments with his children, understanding firsthand the importance of having caring parents in a child’s life.
Duane Koslowski, the renowned American Olympic wrestler who left an indelible mark on the sport, passed away in February 2024.
His death was announced through heartfelt social media posts from fellow athletes and friends, marking the end of an era in American wrestling.
The wrestling community learned of Koslowski’s passing through touching tributes on social media.
Mike Foy, a fellow Olympian, shared a moving Facebook post on February 7, remembering Koslowski as “a truly special individual, blessed with a unique blend of charisma, wit, and humor.”
Another heartfelt tribute came from Joel Scalzo, who described Koslowski as a “champion” and acknowledged his role as a “North Star” for many in the wrestling community. He wrote,
“We all lost a champion this past week. Duane Koslowski passed away. Duane and Dennis have been such a North Star for me over the years. This article is from 1988, when they were ready to take on the World in the Olympics. Our thoughts and prayers to Dennis and the entire Koslowski family.”
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Born on August 16, 1959, in Watertown, South Dakota, Koslowski built an impressive career in wrestling that culminated in his participation in the 1988 Summer Olympics.
His journey to wrestling excellence began during his collegiate years at the University of Minnesota Morris, where he dominated the heavyweight division.
In 1981, Koslowski secured the NCAA Division III Championship title in University Heights.
His international wrestling achievements reached their peak when he won the gold medal in the 130 kg Greco-Roman wrestling category at the 1987 Pan American Games in Indianapolis.
This victory established him as one of America’s premier wrestlers in the heavyweight division.
Koslowski’s dedication to the sport extended beyond personal achievements, as he consistently contributed to advancing American wrestling on the international stage.
Throughout his career, Koslowski was known for his unique approach to competition.
Unlike many athletes who relied on aggression, he brought a thoughtful perspective to the sport.
This was evident in his memorable response to his Soviet coach Pavel Katsen’s attempt to motivate him through political animosity during his first Greco-Roman world championships.
Instead of embracing hatred as motivation, Koslowski maintained his characteristic good humor and sportsmanship.
His professional life extended beyond the wrestling mat. After his athletic career, Koslowski worked at Nationwide Financial Services.
He was a graduate of Doland High School’s class of 1977 and earned his degree in Business Economics from the University of Minnesota Morris in 1982.
Duane Koslowski Is Mourned By His Twin Brother, Wife, And Children
Duane Koslowski’s family story is one of resilience and strong bonds.
Perhaps most notable is his relationship with his identical twin brother, Dennis Koslowski, who also achieved Olympic success.
The twins’ early life was marked by tragedy when they lost their mother to a brain tumor at the age of two.
Unable to care for five children alone, their father made the difficult decision to have the children raised by different relatives.
Duane and Dennis were fortunate to stay together, being raised by an aunt and uncle.
Their shared journey in wrestling began in South Dakota’s high school wrestling programs and continued through their collegiate careers at Minnesota Morris.
Though they eventually competed in different weight classes – with Duane adding 25 pounds to move into the heavyweight division – their bond remained unbreakable.
As a family man, Duane was deeply devoted to his children: Jason, Christina, Mac Henry, and Caden Koslowski.
His own experience of losing his mother at a young age profoundly influenced his approach to parenthood.
He often spoke about the importance of being present in his children’s lives, whether through simple acts like changing diapers or reading bedtime stories.
He was married to Mary Pat Koslowski, and together they built a strong family foundation.
Koslowski’s extended family includes his cousin Diane Michalski Michaels and nephew Daniel Murauskas.
Additional Information
- He initially started Greco-Roman wrestling primarily to help his brother Dennis as a sparring partner. These practice sessions were so intense that they occasionally led to exchanges of punches between the brothers.
- He developed his impressive build through years of hard labor on a Midwest dairy farm, which helped shape him into the formidable heavyweight wrestler he became.
- He had an insightful perspective on sports versus real life, once saying: “Life is actually much tougher than sport. I like the satisfaction of immediate results in sport. In life, it’s all long-term. Are you a good employee? Are you a good father? That’s going to be proven somewhere down the pipe. In sports, you win the match, you win.”
