Klippan Ladies

Gray Defeats Adar to Reclaim Top Spot

By Eric Olanowski

The stars aligned for wrestling fans Sunday afternoon in Klippan, Sweden as an anticipated bout between three-time world champion Adeline GRAY (USA) and defending world champions Yasemin ADAR (TUR) delivered on the hype as the two 76kg wrestlers combined for a whopping 15 points in the finals of the Klippan Ladies Open.

Gray picked up an early 2-0 lead after scoring the first takedown of the match. “I was expecting a defensive match, but when I got in so deep and knew I could get to her legs, I adjusted the game plan,” said Gray.

Adar returned fire late in the first after hitting Gray with a beautiful four-point arm spin to take the 4-2 lead. When asked about the arm-spin, Gray said “We practiced it in the warm-up. We knew she had a great arm-spin, so kudos to her for hitting it when it mattered.”

Gray picked up the pace in the second, outscoring Adar 7-2 to win the match 9-6 and reclaim her No. 1 spot in the United World Wrestling world rankings.

“I knew I always deserved to be there," said Gray. "It was just a matter of earning it and proving it when it counted.”

Team Japan kicked off the day's finals winning back-to-back titles at 50kg and 53kg.

Yui SUSAKI (JPN) captured the 50kg title by defeating Mariya STADNIK (AZE), the two-time world and Olympic silver medalist, 2-1.

Trailing on criteria with less than 30-seconds remaining, Susaki shot a high crotch but ran out of mat space before finishing. The wrestlers barreled into the official's table with Stadnik stepping out first, giving Susaki the 2-1 lead and ultimately the win.

“I was so excited after the match because it was my first win after my December loss," said Susaki. "I knew this would be a one exchange match and I capitalized on that one exchange!”

Junior world champion Nanami IRIE (JPN)used a pair of takedowns to win the Japan-on-Japan 53kg final against Umi IMAI (JPN), 4-2.

In the 55kg finals, Stalvira ORSHUSH (RUS) stole the gold medal from Bediha GUN (TUR) after picking up a push out with one-second left. After a failed challenge from Gun, Orshush walked away with the 3-2 victory.

At 57kg, defending junior world champion Sae NANJO (JPN) scored four unanswered points to win a tightly contested battle with 2016 world silver medalist and 2017 European champion, Tetyana KIT (UKR), 2-2.

After claiming silver and bronze medals, Grace BULLEN (NOR), the 2017 European champion captured her first Klippan Lady Open title by beating Asian Indoor Games bronze medalist Akie HANAI (JPN), 3-2.

When asked about what she was looking for in the 59kg finals, Bullen said “I’ve wanted a Klippan Lady Open title for a long time. Everyone here is wrestling at their highest level.” 

Dave Schultz Memorial champion Kayla MIRACLE (USA) earned Team USA's second gold medal of the tournament after challenging a four-point call in favor of 2014 world champion Yulia TKACH (UKR). Miracle
captured the 62kg title, 3-2.

In the 65kg finals,2015 world silver medalist Petra OLLI (FIN) defeated Japan’s Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN), 5-4. 


In the all-Olympian final at 68kg, Danielle LAPPAGE (CAN) remained unbeaten as she bested Alla CHERKASOVA (UKR) in dominant fashion, 9-4. Lappage wrapped up the tournament by outscoring her opponents 24-6. 

Sweden’s lone champion was Jenny FRANSSON (SWE). The 2016 Olympic bronze medalist brought the crowd to their feet by scoring a 10-0 technical superiority victory over Russian runner-up, Tatiana KOLESNIKOVA MOROZOVA (RUS) in the finals at 72kg. 

RESULTS: http://uww.io/j9cru

MEDAL MATCHES
50kg
 
GOLD - Yui SUSAKI (JPN) df. Mariya STADNIK (AZE), 3-2

BRONZE - Anzhelika VETOSHKINA (RUS) df. Patricia alejandra BERMUDEZ (ARG), 15-4
BRONZE - Emilia alina VUC (ROU) df. Amy ann FEARNSIDE (USA), 11-8

53kg
GOLD - Nanami IRIE (JPN) df. Umi IMAI (JPN), 4-2 

BRONZE - Natalia MALYSHEVA (RUS) df. Jade mariah PARSONS (CAN), 11-3
BRONZE - Sarah ann HILDEBRANDT (USA) df. Aysun ERGE (TUR), 10-0 

55kg
GOLD -  Stalvira ORSHUSH (RUS) df. Bediha GUN (TUR), 3-2 

BRONZE -  Nina MENKENOVA (RUS) df. Jacarra gwenisha WINCHESTER (USA), 5-4
BRONZE - Ramona GALAMBOS (HUN) df. Sena NAGAMOTO (JPN), 2-1

57kg
GOLD -Sae NANJO (JPN) df. Tetyana KIT (UKR), 2-2

BRONZE - Alexandra ANDREEVA (RUS) df. Laura MERTENS (GER), 10-0 
BRONZE - Irina OLOGONOVA (RUS) df. Simona PRICOB (ROU), 0-0 

59kg
GOLD - Grace jacob BULLEN (NOR) df. Akie HANAI (JPN), 3-2

BRONZE - Elif jale YESILIRMAK (TUR) df. Uliana TUKURENOVA (RUS), 6-3
BRONZE - Lauren nora LOUIVE (USA) df. Kateryna ZHYDACHEVSKA (ROU), 8-2

62kg
GOLD - Kayla colleen kiyoko MIRACLE (USA) df. Yuliia TKACH OSTAPCHUK (UKR), 3-2

BRONZE - Olivia louise HENNINGSSON (SWE) df. Luzie MANZKE (GER), 10-5
BRONZE - Luisa helga gerda NIEMESCH (GER) df. Naomi RUIKE (JPN), 6-0

65kg
GOLD - Petra maarit OLLI (FIN) df. Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN), 5-4

BRONZE -  Henna katarina JOHANSSON (SWE) df. Braxton rei STONE (CAN), 10-9
BRONZE - Yulia PRONTSEVITCH (RUS) df. Forrest ann MOLINARI (USA), 2-1

68kg
GOLD Danielle suzanne LAPPAGE (CAN) df. Alla CHERKASOVA (UKR), 9-4

BRONZE - Olivia grace DI BACCO (CAN) df. Maria SELMAIER (GER), 10-0
BRONZE -  Tamyra mariama MENSAH (USA) df. Laura SKUJINA (LAT), 0-0

72kg
GOLD -  Anna jenny eva maria FRANSSON (SWE) df. Tatiana KOLESNIKOVA MOROZOVA (RUS), 10-0

BRONZE - Victoria christine FRANCIS (USA) df. Alexandra nicoleta ANGHEL (ROU)  , 4-0
BRONZE -  Rachel ann WATTERS (USA) df. Burcu UGDULER ORSKAYA (TUR), 9-3

76kg
GOLD  Adeline maria GRAY (USA) df. Yasemin ADAR (TUR), 9-6

BRONZE - Epp MAE (EST) df. Denise sabina MAKOTA STROEM STRÖM (SWE), 7-4
BRONZE -  Erica elizabeth WIEBE (CAN) df. Francy RAEDELT (GER), 10-1

#WestleAcapulco

Pan-American Championships Preview

By Gaurav Bhatt

ACAPULCO, Mexico (February 20) --- The sun-soaked city of Acapulco, Mexico, gears up to host the Pan-American Wrestling Championships from February 21st to 24th, drawing the region's elite grapplers across Freestyle, Greco-Roman, and Women's Wrestling. 

The tournament precedes the Pan-American Olympic Qualifiers, which can have only those countries participating in the Pam-American Championships.

Let's delve deeper into each style and highlight some of the most anticipated clashes. 

Freestyle Wrestling

All eyes will be on world champions Kyle DAKE (74 kg) and Kyle SNYDER (97 kg), who will take the mat on Friday and Saturday. 

Dake can expect to run into four-time World medallist Geandry GARZON (CUB). Dake won the last contest between the two during his run for the repechage bronze at the Tokyo Olympics. The 74kg field also features two-time medallists Hernan GUZMAN (COL) and Cesar ALVAN (BRA).

In the 97kg category, Snyder can run into familiar foe Arturo TORRES (CUB). The 2016 Olympic champion Snyder is looking for his sixth gold at the Pan American Championships. Torres, meanwhile, will look to avenge his three defeats in the finals against Snyder — including in the gold-medal clash last year in Buenos Aires. 

The 74kg category will feature five-time medallist at the event Pedro MEJIAS (VEN), Pan-Am Games bronze medallist Osmany MARTINEZ (CUB), and Spencer LEE (USA) who makes his international debut as a three-time age group world champion.

Cuban Alejandro VALDES TOBIER will bring his experience to the mat in the 65kg category. The reigning Pan-Am Games champion and two-time world medallist — who lost last year’s final to John Michael DIAKOMIHALIS (USA) — will take on contenders such as three-time bronze medallist Agustín DESTRIBATS (ARG) and US senior world team member Nicholas LEE (USA). 

Elsewhere, Yurieski TORREBLANCA (CUB) will look to double up on his 86kg gold from last year.

CUBDefending champion Oscar PINO (CUB) is set to compete in Acapulco, with his sights set on winning a sixth Pan-Am title. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

Greco Roman

Oscar PINO (CUB) will be out to defend his Greco-Roman 130kg title in Acapulco. The 30-year-old is hunting for his sixth gold medal at the event to add to his four World medals. Cohlton Schultz (USA), who finished runner-up at the PanAm Games last November, would aim to halt the Cuban juggernaut.

Also on the quest for back-to-back golds are Americans Spencer WOODS and Kamal BEY, and Daniel HECHAVARRIA (CUB). 

Bey can expect to fight his 77kg nemesis, Yosvanys PENA FLORES  (CUB). In 2019, the Cuban defeated Bey in the Pan-Am Championships final before Bey edged Pena Flores for the 77kg crown in Buenos Aires last year. At the Pan-Am Games in November, Bey settled the score with a win over Pena Flores en route to the continental gold.

Woods, who took home the 82kg gold last year, has moved up a division to set up a potential clash with reigning 87kg gold medallist Hechavarria.

usaOlympic champion Helen MAROULIS (USA) headlines the women's wrestling entries. She'll wrestle at 57kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

Women’s wrestling

The women’s competition will be highlighted by world medallists from the U.S.: Helen MAROULIS (57 kg), Kayla MIRACLE (62 kg), Macey KILTY (65 kg), and Adeline GRAY (76 kg).

Six-time world champion Gray returns to the Pan American Championships looking to add to her collection of three gold medals at the event.

Maroulis, three-time world and 2016 Olympic champion, can run into some resistance from last year’s bronze medallist Angela Alvarez (CUB).

Kilty’s 65 kg opponents will include 2022 silver medallist Miki ROWBOTTOM(CAN), while Miracle can run into Maria SANTANA (CUB), who finished runner-up at the Pan Am Games. 

World medallist Diana WEICKER (CAN) will return to defend her 55kg title. 

Catch all the action from the Pan-American Championships live on UWW+.