#WrestleWarsaw

After Heartbreaking Rio Exit, Lappage Focused on Tokyo Olympics

By Vinay Siwach

Three hours before her bout at the Rio Olympics, Danielle Lappage made an entry in her personal wrestling journal:

“August 18, 2016. 7 a.m. Today is the day I have been dreaming of for over a decade! I will be the first women’s wrestling match of the day against Ukraine- she is tough but I am better. You are an OLYMPIC CHAMPION!”

All the sacrifices she had made, all the hard work she’d put in for 13 years was now on the line.

Alas, it was not meant to be.

The warm-up hall at the Olympic center in Rio was full of wrestlers gearing up for the big day – the fifth of wrestling at the 2016 Games. Lappage was one of them. Like everyone else, the Canadian was also giving final touches to her preparations. "It was very random. It was a warm-up I had done hundreds of times before,” she says. “I had a lot of pain in my butt.”

Lappage lay on the mat, hiding her pain from her competitors, who were training right next to her. She asked her sparring partner to call the medical staff. During her second last warm-up, her partner made a slight movement and a sharp feeling went through her left butt. Lappage collapsed right there. "I was super devastated and emotional," she says.

She doesn't turn emotional while recounting the horrific incident from Rio almost five years ago but that day, Lappage was left in tears and her Olympic dream was shattered.

Lappage was born in Olds, a small town south of Alberta to Valerie and Robert Lappage. At the age of three, she joined gymnastics classes and later she added swimming to her schedule. Her introduction to wrestling was only when she was 12 years old.

“When I got to sixth grade, my school offered many sports for free. Badminton, athletics, basketball, volleyball, wrestling and rugby,” she says. “Because I was strong and athletic, I tried every sport. I was never just a wrestler until after high school.”

But when it came to picking a sport in which she wanted to make a career in, Lappage was always clear in her mind. “I truly had a passion for it [wrestling]. I always knew that I was going to wrestle,” she says. “I went to Simon Fraser University in Vancouver and continued to wrestle there.”

The seeds of the Olympic dream had been sown before that. Back in 2004 when women's wrestling was inducted into the Games, Lappage was wrestling her first national championships. She did not win but she knew she wanted to be an Olympian. Next year, she won the gold medal. The dream was quickly becoming her belief that she can win the Olympics by 2016.

“My career up to Rio was focused on 2016,” she says. “Even when I was a young girl I was thinking that 2016, it would be the ideal year, I would be the ideal age.”

The journey began with the junior world title in 2010. Lappage did try to be on Canada's 2012 Olympic team but missed out. A couple of years later, she took big strides. She won the senior nationals, world university championships and even the Commonwealth Games.

But life gifts you a sucker punch when you are least ready. Lappage took two weeks off after the 2014 World Championships and in her first practice on return, tore her ACL. Was that the end of a dream? She went into a soul-searching mode. Wrestling took a back seat but only momentarily.

Against all odds, she won the Canadian Olympic trial in December 2015. She had taken her first step towards the goal and was motivated to achieve it until it all came crashing down in that warm-up hall.

“I was pinching myself and telling myself that it had to be a nightmare,” she recalls. “But when I realised it wasn't, I was trying to pump myself in my mind saying 'you can wrestle with an injury, people have done this before.'

“Then I went to wrestle but I could even use my left leg. I had to forfeit the tournament. What I remember the most in the moment of pulling out was looking up to the stands and seeing my parents. They were so confused and scared. At that moment I became super emotional and the day, the moment, even months after that moment, were devastating.”

There was no clarity over the injury. Her taking the mat against Yulia TAKCH (UKR) was just an athlete desperate to not let go of the dream.

“I had ruptured a hamstring muscle,” Lappage says. She was told about it when she returned to the Olympic village. “It's so unexplainable and so confusing to me as to how and why it happened.”

The days that followed were hard. During the recovery phase after the ACL injury, Lappage had the motivation of the Rio Olympics. After Rio, she had none.

“The emotional toll that injury had on me and the uncertainty that will I be able to come back physically, had me questioning whether I could, or whether I wanted to, whether it was the right thing in my life to wrestle,” she says.

Her blog entries give a clearer picture of her thoughts soon after. Six months passed as she battled self-doubts and thought of leaving the sport. “The mental side, the uncertainty of 'will I be the same? Will I re-hurt it?'” she continues, “have always been the most challenging.”

Thankfully, she could take her mind off wrestling and focus on her studies. At the Simon Fraser University, Lappage had completed her BA in Criminology and followed it with a MA degree in the same. Her injury made her give up the plans of policing.

Back in 2012, she sat for LSAT but could not clear for law school. It was luck by chance that while applying for different jobs she realized that her score was considered for five years. She applied for the University of Calgary. She never thought of it but she was accepted.

Calgary was going to become her new home after eight years at SFU. While she had to leave her former teammates, she would be paired with Rio Olympic champion Erica Wiebe.

“I saw having a law degree, being a lawyer was the best way I could help the less fortunate and my community,” she says. “Formal education was actually helpful to me to be a great wrestler and also be a good student. It was an opportunity to have a balance – the physical and mental, both. When I was having a hard day physically or emotionally or mentally with wrestling, it was good to have something else to focus on.”

Perhaps that's what got her back into wrestling.

In February 2018, Lappage decided to wrestle again. She instantly did not make goals but she wanted to test herself again and test at the highest level.

Klippan Lady Open is one of the most prestigious wrestling tournaments for women. In the Nordic country of Sweden, female wrestlers from around the world try to win the gold medal. Lappage, in that year, was also trying.

In her first international bout after a long hiatus, Lappage faced Tamyra MENSAH STOCK (USA), a two-time Ivan Yargiun champion and USA's brightest prospect. The category was also 68kg, a bump up from Lappage's regular 63kg.

The Canadian won 4-2. Laura SKUJINA (LAT) did not pose any challenge in the semifinal and Lappage was in the final. She could not have planned it better.

Against Alla CHERKASOVA (UKR), Lappage won 9-4 and the gold medal on her return to the international stage. That was the beginning of a memorable year.

She racked up gold medals at All Ukrainian Memorial Tournament, Canada Cup and Poland Open with a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games sandwiched between them. To cap it all off, she won a silver medal at the World Championships, only her second in the long career.

“I surprised myself and a lot of people that I was able to come back, move and wrestle the way I did,” she says.

She could see the Tokyo Games were on the horizon. She had to make a decision of committing herself to another Olympics, live life thinking and preparing for one specific day.

"I didn't have my goals set on Tokyo until 2018. I took it season by season because I was so upset,” she says. “It was fast approaching so I had to commit myself. Around that time, I made Tokyo a specific goal.”

Danielle Lappage 2018 World ChampionshipsDanielle LAPPAGE (CAN) lost in the quarterfinal of the 2019 World Championships in Nursultan, Kazakhstan. (Photo: UWW / GABOR MARTIN)

Securing a quota for a country is the first step towards fulfilling an Olympic dream. Lappage could not even do that.

“2018 was a great year for me. I was confident and didn't feel too much pressure,” she says. “A year after, I think I didn't work on my mental game as much as I needed to. I took my confidence and focus for granted and I didn't wrestle my best, for example the 2019 World Championships.”

That was the first qualifying event for the Tokyo Games. In Nursultan, Kazakhstan, Lappage had the chance to book Canada's ticket in the 68kg weight class. She was 30 seconds away when a lapse in concentration took it all away.

Just 18 months ago, she had defeated Cherkasova in Sweden. But she lost to her 7-8 when it mattered the most. The Ukrainian lost her semifinal, ending Lappage's repechage hopes.

“One of those losses that I thought is going to harm me after, follow me in my career,” she says. “That happens in wrestling. Just had to go back to the drawing board, analyse that, work on that part of the game and that's what I did.”

But then, the Covid-19 pandemic brought everything to a standstill. Sports events were getting cancelled and the Pan-Am Olympic Qualifier in Ottawa, Canada was under a cloud. Two years after she came back to relaunch her wrestling career, Covid-19 threatened to take it all away.

Ultimately, United World Wrestling, wrestling’s global governing body, decided to conduct the qualifiers without spectators. It was enough for Lappage, as she won the 68kg gold medal and with that, earned an Olympic spot for her country, two months after winning the national Olympic trials. Finally, she could dream of being an Olympic champion again.

But there was one more twist to Lappage's story. Canada announced they would pull out of the Olympics because of the pandemic if they went ahead as scheduled. But then, the International Olympic Committee announced the Games were postponed by a year.

A year and three months have passed since that day in Ottawa, Lappage has not competed internationally. Forget competing, she has not stepped outside Canada, majorly because of the strict quarantine rules of the country.

“The uncertainty of it all has been very difficult when you sit back and you allow the fear and anxiety to stir up, it does get a little bit stressful obviously,” she says.

“In sports, you face struggles, challenges, setbacks regularly. I guess it was just one of those," she says. "It was similar to an injury. You have to sit back and reflect and plan training and plan better when things are not ideal. When they announced that it was going to be delayed, of course, it was not ideal. But in my opinion, it was better than being cancelled. It's still happening and I have an extra year to prepare and be better than I would have in 2020.”

Just to ascertain that, she will be wrestling at the last ranking series event in Poland in June before the Games. The Poland Open will be her big test since the World Championships in Central Asia. Like Lappage, her opponents are also getting better and she knows it.

“There are no easy opponents,” she says. “It's an open field and I am not looking at anybody lightly. Hence, we all ought to be on our 'A' game and we ought to be the best on our day and if we are able to bring everything together on that day we will be successful.”

Danielle LappageDanielle LAPPAGE (CAN) won the Pan-Am Olympic Qualifiers in Ottawa, Canada to qualify Canada for the Olympic Games. (Photo: UWW / TONY ROTUNDO)

Lappage is in the twilight of her career. But like many elite athletes, she is wrestling with the idea of when to call it quits.

“I enjoy the training, the process, the schedule, the details, the experiences and the social aspect,” she says. “But of course it will end soon. Maybe one more cycle would be max. I have not thought about it, I have not committed to it.”

Lappage has clearly come a long way from that injury in Rio. At one point she was on the verge of leaving the sport and five years later, she is thinking about Paris. But in sport, as in life, nothing should be taken for granted.

“Since Rio, I have not taken any day for granted, any competition for granted, any experience for granted. For years, I count this as my bonus life, my second life and in the sport my second chance. It's been awesome.”

Lappage learnt that lesson long back.

#WrestleWarsaw

Mohammadian Closes Olympic Ticket for Iran; USA Shines at Poland Open

By Vinay Siwach

WARSAW, Poland (June 8) -- Mohammadhossein MOHAMMADIAN (IRI) had to wait until the final bout of the day but it was worth it as he successfully captured the gold medal at the Poland Open Ranking Series event in Warsaw.

The value of this gold medal increased as he also won the right to represent Iran at the Tokyo Olympics after beating two of his compatriots during his title-winning run on Tuesday.

Poland Open

Iran is treating the Poland Open as a selection tournament for the three freestyle and one Greco-Roman weight classes.

At 97kg, Mohammadian captured the spot after he beat Alireza Mohammad KARIMIMACHIANI (IRI) and Ali Khalil SHABANIBENGAR (IRI) with little separation in both the bouts.

“Thank God I was able to win,” Mohammadian said. “This is not the biggest day for me but I am happy.”

Apart from Iran's selection, the Tokyo seeds were confirmed in three weight classes as the final ranking points for 57kg, 86kg and 97kg were finalized on Tuesday.

Mohammadian's gold may not have been enough for a seed in the weight class at the Olympics, but it ended a long wait of Iran finalizing the wrestler at the weight. He won the quota in dominating fashion at the Asian Olympic Qualifiers in April.

But Shabanibengar's wins over him earlier this year and Karmimachiani's record at 92kg made them contenders as well. Instead of hosting a trial back home, the Iranian Federation decided to send the wrestler to Warsaw for a face-off. The winner would be selected for the Olympic team.

The stage was set when Karimimachiani and Mohammadian were drawn on the same side while Shabanibengar was split to the upper half. Mohammadian began with an 11-0 thrashing of Kollin MOORE (USA) in the qualification, while Karimimachiani overcame Abraham de Jesus CONYEDO RUANO (ITA), 11-1, in the quarterfinal. Earlier in the day, the Italian upset Olympic champion Sharif SHARIFOV (AZE) for a 2-2 criteria win.

Mohammadian's 10-0 win over Serik BAKYTKHANOV (KAZ) put him in the semifinal. He began with a takedown and secured a 2-0 lead. Karimimachiani's one point for passivity and a step out tied it 2-2, but Mohammadian held the criteria to set up a final against Shabanibengar.

It was anti-climatic as both wrestlers played it safe. They exchanged a point each for passivity but it was Mohammadian who was awarded one in the second period which gave him the win.

“I have been wrestling with Shabanibengar since cadet-level and I know his style,” he said. “Before becoming here I had strategized a lot and thankfully it paid off.”

At 57kg, Serbian Olympian Stevan MICIC (SRB) won his second Ranking Series gold medal in convincing fashion. He outscored Beka BUJIASHVILI (GEO) and Makhmudjon SHAVKATOV (UZB), 18-3, and was awarded the 57kg Nordic style gold medal.

Micic, who came into the tournament at the third-seeded wrestler for the Tokyo Olympic Games, passed second-seeded Sueyman ATLI (TUR) for the second spot in Tokyo.

“I felt really good today,” he said. “At this tournament, I just wanted to get my weight down to 57kg and go to the Olympics after a strong competition. The gold medal is always a boost in confidence.”

The top-four seeds at 57kg for Tokyo are Zavur UGUEV (RUS), Micic, Suleyman ATLI (TUR) and Ravi KUMAR (IND), respectively.

“I wasn't sure about the seeds so it was better to just compete,” he said. “I have a lot of confidence in my ability and it doesn't matter where I am seeded. I will have four tough matches in order to win at the Olympics.”

Micic defeated Beka BUJIASHVILI (GEO) and Makhmudjon SHAVKATOV (UZB) in the two matches to win the gold medal.

Stevan MICIC

USA also had a field day as they captured two gold medals. Zahid VALENCIA (USA) added another Ranking Series gold as he dominated the 86kg weight category.

“I started off a little bit slow but I am happy with how I ended it,” he said. “More offense, more takedowns is what I am looking for.”

Valencia survived a scare against local boy Sebastian JEZIERZANSKI (POL) and won 6-5 before an injury default by world silver medalist Deepak PUNIA (IND) gave him a spot in the semifinal. Myles AMINE (SMR) was up next in the semifinal but Valencia had an easy 7-1 win.

In the 86kg finals, Zahid VALENCIA (USA) claimed his second Ranking Series title with a 10-0 trouncing of Georgia’s Sandro AMINASHVILI (GEO). The bleach blonde-haired American scored five first-period takedowns and ended the match less than two minutes into the finals.

But with David TAYLOR (USA) going to the Olympics, it was just the points for Valencia but not for the Olympics.

“[I am looking for] experience,” he said. “I am still young and could not make the Olympic team this year. It is still a goal of mine. I wanted to get matches and see how foreigners wrestle.”

The close first bout did upset Valencia but he is keen on working on his skills to not give up easy points.

“I got taken down,” he said. “I was working on my offense and defense. I did not want to over wrestle and expose myself.”

Also at 86kg, Myles AMINE (SMR) beat Sebastian JEZIERZANSKI (POL) in the bronze medal match and leaped Artur NAIFONOV (RUS) for the No. 3 seed at the Olympic Games.

Amine came into the competition with 40 points -- seven points behind his Russian nemesis -- but used his ten-point bronze medal to move to the opposite side of the bracket as top-seeded Olympic champion Hasan YAZDANI (IRI).

The Olympic seeds at 86kg are Yazdani), Punia, Amine and Naifonov, respectively.

Another American with a big day was Alec PANTALEO (USA) who plowed his way to a fourth consecutive gold medal with a career-defining win over three-time world champion Haji ALIYEV (AZE), before capping things off with a win over rival James GREEN (USA) in the 70kg finals.

Alec PANTALEO df Haji ALIYEV

In the semifinals, Pantaleo cruised out to an early 6-1 lead over Aliyev thanks to a takedown and a four-point move. But the Azeri clawed back in the second period and tied the match, 6-6. The American’s first-period fought off a late flurry of attacks and used his four-point move to push himself into the finals.

In the gold-medal match, Pantaleo jumped out to an early four-point advantage against two-time world-medal winner James Green. He scored both early takedowns on head inside single legs to Green’s right leg. Pantaleo surrendered a takedown and a stepout in the second period, but hung on to win his fourth consecutive competition, 5-3.

At 79kg, Akhsarbek GULAEV (SVK) scored a last-second takedown to beat veteran Rashid KURBANOV (UZB) 2-2 in the final and claim the gold medal.

RESULTS:

57kg
GOLD - Stevan Andria MICIC (SRB) (2-0)
SILVER - Beka BUJIASHVILI (GEO) (1-1)
BRONZE - Makhmudjon SHAVKATOV (UZB) (0-2)

70kg
GOLD - Alec William PANTALEO (USA) df. James GREEN (USA), 5-3
BRONZE - Haji ALIYEV (AZE) df. Zurabi IAKOBISHVILI (GEO), 2-1

79kg
GOLD - Akhsarbek GULAEV (SVK) df. Rashid KURBANOV (UZB), 2-2
BRONZE - Mateusz KAMPIK (POL) df. Vadim PETRAUSKAS BABUSKIN (LTU), 16- 13
BRONZE - Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR) df. Aimar ANDRUSE (EST), 5-2

86kg
GOLD - Zahid VALENCIA (USA) df. Sandro AMINASHVILI (GEO), 10-0
BRONZE - Cezary SADOWSKI (POL) df. Pool AMBROCIO GREIFO (PER), 8-4
BRONZE - Myles AMINE (SMR) df. Sebastian JEZIERZANSKI (POL), 6-1

97kg
GOLD - Mohammadhossein MOHAMMADIAN (IRI) df. Ali SHABANIBENGAR (IRI), 1-1
BRONZE - Alisher YERGALI (KAZ) df. Magomedgadji NUROV (MKD), via fall
BRONZE - Alireza KARIMIMACHIANI (IRI)df. Kollin Raymond MOORE (USA), 2-2