#WrestleNarita

Host Japan Rides Close Early Wins to Top China, Gain Place in Final Against U.S.

Saturday, November 16, 2019 - 14:25 By Ken Marantz

Share this article

NARITA, Japan (Nov. 16)---The two former world champions got the ball rolling with knife-edge victories, starting a run of six straight that propelled host Japan over rival China and into the final of the Women’s World Cup. 

Yui SUSAKI (JPN) and Haruna OKUNO (JPN), who had to settle for age-group titles this year after failing to make Japan’s team to the senior World Championships, came through in tight matches as Japan defeated China 6-4 in the final session to win its three-team group.

In the championship match on Sunday at Nakadai Sports Park Gym in Narita, east of Tokyo, Japan will aim for a fifth straight title and 11th overall when it faces the United States, who will get a shot at adding to the lone crown it won back in 2003.

China and Mongolia will clash for the bronze medal, while Russia and Ukraine will face off in the fifth-place playoff. 

The United States, which handily beat Russia 8-2 in the early session, clinched the other group by topping Mongolia by the same 6-4 score, getting victories by fall from two of its three reigning world champions, while overcoming a loss by fall from the other. 

Japan showed its vulnerability in the upper weights when it lost the final four matches to China, although it is difficult to say if the outcome of any of those matches would have different had victory been on the line.

But in retrospect, it made Susaki’s 3-2 victory over Rio 2016 Olympic bronze medalist SUN Yanan (CHN) at 50kg and Okuno’s last-second 4-3 win over PANG Qiangyu (CHN) all the more vital. 

Susaki is still feeling the pangs of the missing out on a chance for a third straight senior world title after losing a playoff for the Japan team spot to Yuki IRIE (JPN)---which at the time, she believed, as did most, ended her chances to compete at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

But when Irie failed to finish in the top six at the Nur-Sultan World Championships, it reopened the door for Susaki, who will get a second chance by triumphing at the All-Japan Championships in December.

“I was really down, and it was the first time I felt I was at rock bottom,” said Susaki, who won a second straight world junior gold in August in Tallinn. “But it was not over yet, and as long as there was still a 0.01 percent chance, I would believe in the possibility, and I kept working hard with the encouragement of others.”

Yui SUSAKI (JPN) works on finishing a shot against world champ and Rio Olympic bronze medalist, SUN Yanan (CHN). Susaki won the match, 3-2. (Photo: Sachiko Hotaka)

Susaki last faced Sun in 2017, when she beat her twice. And while their match was ostensibly one of 10 in a team event, it seemed there was more at stake, that this would reaffirm where Susaki stood against the world’s best. 

“I’ve long wanted to face Sun, and beating her gives me confidence and momentum,” Susaki said.

Against the lankier Sun, Susaki found it difficult to finish off her takedowns, and trailed 2-1 after the Chinese scored on a counter crotch lift. Early in the second period, Susaki finally broke through the defenses for a takedown and a 3-2 lead. 

“I found many points that I need to work on,” Susaki said. “Like finishing off my tackles, adding variation and creating more openings for attacks, and coming up with more moves that I can rely on. I want to fix this going into the All-Japan Championships.” 

With a half-minute to go, Sun seemed on the way to scoring with a single-leg takedown, but the effort went in vain when the action was stopped because a hold on Susaki’s leg was in a dangerous position.

“I’m really puzzled,” Sun said. “I did not do any illegal action on purpose. I just continued the action and the referee stopped it. It’s a pity.”

Okuno, who added this year’s world junior and U-23 titles in lieu of getting a shot at third career senior gold, cut it as close as possible in beating Pang, a bronze medalist in Nur-Sultan.

Pang held a 3-2 lead in the final seconds when Okuno went on the attack and got behind in the standing position. Just as the clock was about to tick zero, Okuno forced Pang to the mat for the winning points.

Three-time world champion Risako KAWAI (JPN) picked up a 6-0 win over FENG Yongxin (CHN) in Japan's win over China. (Photo: Sachiko Hotaka)

Japan followed with a pair of 6-0 victories from Akie HANAI (JPN) at 55kg and three-time world champion Risako KAWAI (JPN) at 57kg.

“Looking at it as individual match, part of me felt I was a bit too tight,” Kawai said of her win over FENG Yongxin (CHN) in which she scored four of her points in the second period. 

“But the World Cup is a team event and the most important thing is to win and not lose the momentum for the next match, so that was good.”  

The hosts then got another big win when stocky high schooler and world junior champion Yuzuka INAGAKI (JPN) held world 57kg silver medalist RONG Ningning (CHN) at bay, winning their 59kg bout 2-0, with both points coming with the Chinese on the activity clock.

World silver medalist Yukako KAWAI (JPN) ended the suspense when she scored a victory by fall at 62kg over KANG Juan (CHN) to give Japan an unassailable 6-0 lead. 

The Chinese finished up with consolation victories from WU Yaru (CHN) at 65kg, ZHOU Feng (CHN) at 68kg, WANG Juan (CHN) at 72kg and ZHOU Qian (CHN) at 76kg. The latter’s win was a one-sided 7-0 affair over world silver medalist Hiroe MINAGAWA (JPN) that avenged a loss in the quarterfinals at Nur-Sultan.

America's five-time world champion Adeline GRAY (USA) scored a pair of wins on the opening day of wrestling at the Women's World Cup, including an 11-6 victory over Ekaterina BUKINA (RUS). (Photo: Sachiko Hotaka)

In the other group, Adeline GRAY (USA), who captured a national-record fifth world gold in Nur-Sultan, only to needed to avoid losing by a technical fall in the final bout at 76kg to clinch the victory over Mongolia.

She did that and more, scoring a victory by fall in 2:40 over Ariunjargal GANBAT (MGL). Gray had built up a 10-0 lead and could have settled for a technical fall herself, but she had an underlying reason for going for the pin.

“We actually lost to Mongolia a few years ago in the same position; I won the match by a couple of points, [but] I needed the pin,” Gray said. “This was more of a revenge, that I wanted that pin from last time. I’m happy we got it.”

Whitney CONDOR (USA) at 50kg and 2018 world silver medalist Sarah HIDEBRANDT (USA) at 53kg staked the U.S. to a 2-0 lead, but Mongolia came back with three straight wins, starting with Bolortuya BAT OCHIR (MGL) decking newly crowned world champion Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) at 55kg.

BAT OCHIR Bolortuya (MGL) scored a fall over reigning world champion Jacarra Gwenisha WINCHESTER (USA). (Photo: Sachiko Hotaka)

Bat Ochir, who lost to Winchester in the quarterfinals at Nur-Sultan before battling back for a bronze medal, gave up an early takedown before scoring two stepouts to make it 2-2 going into the second period.

Winchester scored another takedown with a trip off a single-leg, and looked on the way to another when she lost her balance while on the attack. Bat Ochir pounced on the miscue, catching the American in a headlock and securing the fall in 4:18.

Macey KILTY (USA) ended Mongolia’s win streak with a victory at 62kg, and Forrest MOLINARI (USA) followed suit at 65kg. World champion Tamyra MENSAH-STOCK (USA) showed her dominance at 68kg with a victory by fall after building up a 10-0 lead.

When Davaanasan ENKH AMAR (MGL) defeated Victoria FRANCIS (USA) 13-7 at 72kg to cut the Americans’ lead to 5-4, that placed the outcome on the final bout at 76kg, where Gray lived up to her billing.  

“I’m really proud of my team, they stepped up in the middle there,” Gray said. “We had a few athletes who just got done with some World Championships, coming off they were supposed to be on vacation, and we had some injuries last minute. 

“For those athletes to step up and win matches, that turned the door right there, that made it possible for Tamyra and I to come out and get our jobs done. It takes a team for us to really be able to compete in this event. And it’s fun to do it when the pressure’s off a little bit.”

Looking ahead to the clash with Japan in the final, Gray said that while the Americans match up well in the upper weights, the team is going to need some mighty efforts early on to have a chance.

“I think especially in the upper weight classes, we’re going to do really well,” she said. “It’s just going to be those key matches early on.

“They have so much depth, and medals, just real talent down at those lower weight classes. But we’ve got that depth, too. We’ve got talent. It’s just going to be about bringing that heart at the right moment and winning those key points, and I think we can do that.

“But Japan is the best, and has been the best. I think it’s a good thing to let them know that we’re coming. Winning this World Cup would be definitely a great thing headed into Tokyo 2020. 

BAT OCHIR Bolortuya (MGL) helped Mongolia earn the 6-4 win over Russia after defeating fellow world bronze medalist Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (RUS), 4-4. (Photo: Sachiko Hotaka)

In the early sessions, Mongolia’s Bat Ochir came out on top in the Battle of World Bronze Medalists over Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (RUS), providing the key victory in Mongolia’s well-earned 6-4 win over Russia. 

“It was a match between bronze medalists, and I planned all my tactics and concentrated on this match,” Bat Ochir said. “I watched her videos last night and talked to my coach about strategy.” 

Bat Ochir trailed Khoroshavtseva 4-2 late in the match when she tried to come out through the back door, but the Russian fought to avoid conceding control. 

As the final seconds ticked down, Bat Ochir freed a trapped leg and locked up a cradle at the buzzer, which by itself gave her a 2-point takedown, although it took a challenge to receive the points that gave her the 4-4 victory on last-point criteria.

“When I got the hold with the head and leg, then I thought I got the points,” Bat Ochir said, adding she was surprised by the non-call and “worried” when it went to the challenge. 

That victory proved crucial, as Russia would have prevailed on classification points had the team score ended up 5-5.  

The young Ukraine squad, overwhelmed 9-1 by the two Asian giants China and Japan, had one bright spot in Alla BELINSKA (UKR), who gave the European nation its only win in both matches. 

She scored a victory by fall over world U-23 bronze medalist Mei SHINDO (JPN), then topped WANG Juan (CHN) by slamming her down for 4 points in the final seconds for a 9-6 win. 

Day 1 Results

1st Session

JAPAN 9, UKRAINE 1
50kg: Kika KAGATA (JPN) df. Mariia VYNNYK (UKR), 2-1
53kg: Ibuki TAMURA (JPN) df. Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR), 14-5
55kg: Saki IGARASHI (JPN) df. Anastasiya KRAVCHENKO (UKR) by TF, 13-3, 3:35
57kg: Sae NANJO (JPN) df. Olena KREMZER (UKR) by TF, 10-0, 2:55
59kg: Yumeka TANABE (JPN) df. Sofiia BODNAR (UKR) by TF, 10-0, 4:25
62kg: Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) df. Tetiana RIZHKO (UKR) by Fall, 5:46 (10-2)
65kg: Naomi RUIKE (JPN) df. Oksana CHUDYK (UKR), 5-2
68kg: Naruha MATUYUKI (JPN) df. Alina RUDNYSTSKA LEVYTSKA (UKR), 6-0
72kg: Alla BELINSKA (UKR) df. Mei SHINDO (JPN) by Fall, 1:50 (6-1) 
76kg: Yasuha MATSUYUKI (JPN) df. Romana VOVCHAK (UKR) by TF, 10-0, 2:40

MONGOLIA 6, RUSSIA 4
50kg: Chimgee BUYANDALAI (MGL) df. Daria LEKSINA (RUS) by Fall, 4:41 (10-2) 
53kg: Milana DADASHEVA (RUS) df. Anudari NANDINTSETSEG (MGL), 10-1
55kg: Bolortuya BAT OCHIR (MGL) df. Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (RUS), 4-4
57kg: Battsetseg ALTANTSETSEG (MGL) df. Marina SIMONYAN (RUS), 12-5
59kg: Liubov OVCHAROVA (RUS) df. Shoovdor BAATARJAV (MGL) by TF, 14-1, 6:00
62kg: Gantuya ENKHBAT (MGL) df. Uliana TUKURENOVA (RUS), 8-2
65kg: Natalia FEDOSEEVA (RUS) df. Purevsuren ULZIISAIKHAN (MGL), 7-3
68kg: Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL) df. Anastasiia BRATCHIKOVA (RUS), 5-0 
72kg: Davaanasan ENKH AMAR (MGL) df. Evgeniia ZAKHARCHENKO (RUS), 2-1
76kg: Ekaterina BUKINA (RUS) df. Ariunjargal GANBAT (MGL) by TF, 10-0, 2:59

2nd Session

CHINA 9, UKRAINE 1
50kg: SUN Yanan (CHN) df. Mariia VYNNYK (UKR) by Fall, 1:57 (8-0)
53kg: LUO Lannuan (CHN) df. Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR), 8-0
55kg: XIE Mengyu (CHN) df. Anastasiya KRAVCHENKO (UKR) by TF, 15-4, 3:02 
57kg: FENG Yongxin (CHN) df. Olena KREMZER (UKR), 6-4
59kg: RONG Ningning (CHN) df. Sofiia BODNAR (UKR) by TF, 13-0, 3:38
62kg: KANG Juan (CHN) df. Tetiana RIZHKO (UKR) by DEF. 
65kg: WU Yaru (CHN) df. Oksana CHUDYK (UKR) by TF, 10-0, 2:10
68kg: ZHOU Feng (CHN) df. Alina RUDNYSTSKA LEVYTSKA (UKR) by Fall, :51 (8-0)
72kg: Alla BELINSKA (UKR) df. WANG Juan (CHN), 9-6
76kg: ZHOU Qian (CHN) df. Romana VOVCHAK (UKR) by Fall, 1:09 (4-0) 

UNITED STATES 8, RUSSIA 2
50kg: Whitney CONDER (USA) df. Daria LEKSINA (RUS), 7-0 
53kg: Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA) df. Milana DADASHEVA (RUS), 10-7
55kg: Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) df. Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (RUS), 5-4
57kg: Marina SIMONYAN (RUS) df. Kelsey CAMPBELL (USA) by TF, 10-0, 5:26 
59kg: Liubov OVCHAROVA (RUS) df. Desiree ZAVALA (USA) by TF, 10-0, 2:12 
62kg: Macey KILTY (USA) df. Uliana TUKURENOVA (RUS) by Inj. Def., :35
65kg: Forrest MOLINARI (USA) df. Natalia FEDOSEEVA (RUS) by Fall, 4:49 (3-2)
68kg: Tamyra MENSAH-STOCK (USA) df. Anastasiia BRATCHIKOVA (RUS), 8-0
72kg: Victoria FRANCIS (USA) df. Evgeniia ZAKHARCHENKO (RUS) by Fall, 4:26 (8-5) 
76kg: Adeline GRAY (USA) df. Ekaterina BUKINA (RUS), 11-6 

3rd Session

JAPAN 6, CHINA 4
50kg: Yui SUSAKI (JPN) df. SUN Yanan (CHN), 3-2
53kg: Haruna OKUNO (JPN) df. PANG Qianyu (CHN), 4-3
55kg: Akie HANAI (JPN) df. CHEN Jiawei (CHN), 6-0 
57kg: Risako KAWAI (JPN) df. FENG Yongxin (CHN), 6-0
59kg: Yuzuka INAGAKI (JPN) df. RONG Ningning (CHN), 2-0
62kg: Yukako KAWAI (JPN) df. KANG Juan (CHN) by Fall, 4:46 (8-0) 
65kg: WU Yaru (CHN) df. Misuzu ENOMOTO (JPN), 4-2
68kg: ZHOU Feng (CHN) df. Naruha MATSUYUKI (JPN), 2-0
72kg: WANG Juan (CHN) df. Yuka KAGAMI (JPN), 7-1
76kg: ZHOU Qian (CHN) df. Hiroe MINAGAWA (JPN), 7-0

UNITED STATES 6, MONGOLIA 4
50kg: Whitney CONDER (USA) df. Namuuntsetseg TSOGT OCHIR (MGL), 4-3
53kg: Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA) df. Anudari NANDINTSETSEG (MGL) by Fall, 1:32 (5-0)
55kg: Bolortuya BAT OCHIR (MGL) df. Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) by Fall, 3:18 (4-4) 
57kg: Battsetseg ALTANTSETSEG (MGL) df. Kelsey CAMPBELL (USA), 8-0 
59kg: Shoovdor BAATARJAV (MGL) df. Desiree ZAVALA (USA) by TF, 12-2, 3:00 
62kg: Macey KILTY (USA) df. Gantuya ENKHBAT (MGL), 4-2
65kg: Forrest MOLINARI (USA) df. Purevsuren ULZIISAIKHAN (MGL) 6-2
68kg: Tamyra MENSAH-STOCK (USA) df. Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL) by Fall, 4:51 (10-0)
72kg: Davaanasan ENKH AMAR (MGL) df. Victoria FRANCIS (USA) 13-7 
76kg: Adeline GRAY (USA) df. Ariunjargal GANBAT (MGL) by Fall, 2:40 (10-0)

#WrestleIstanbul

World Olympic Qualifier Women's Wrestling Bouts Set

Friday, May 10, 2024 - 07:16 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

Share this article

ISTANBUL, Turkiye (May 10) -- The World Olympic Qualifier enters day two with women's wrestling in six weight classes. 12 Paris Olympic spots are on offer in six weight classes by the end of the day. The repechage in Greco-Roman and bronze medal bouts will also happen today.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER

 

16:27: Anastasiya ZIMIANKOVA (AIN) closes the session with a 2-2 last-point victory over Francy RAEDELT (GER) at 76kg. Zimiankova is on the activity clock for a second time and just as it runs out to put her behind, she scores a stepout to take a 2-2 lead on criteria. We will see her later tonight in a clash with Catalina AXENTE (ROU).

16:17: Davaanasan ENKH AMAR (MGL) defeats Enrica RINALDI (ITA) 4-0 at 76kg to earn a clash with Yuliana YANEVA (BUL) in tonight's qualification match.

16:12: Nesrin BAS (TUR) thrills the home crowd by pulling off a nail-biting 4-4 victory over Johanna LINDBORG (SWE) at 62kg. A first-period takedown gives Bas a 2-1 lead going into the break, but Lindborg goes ahead with a takedown to open the second. Bas is not deterred and goes on the attack, getting in a on single and fighting out of Lindborg's fierce whizzer to complete the takedown to go up 4-3 with 1:02 to go. Lindborg gets a stepout with :03 left, but it's not enough and Bas screams out in delight. She will face Astrid MONTERO (VEN) for the ticket to Paris.

15:56: Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU) likes to go right to work off the whistle, and  Elma ZEIDLERE (LAT) will tell you better be ready. Anghel, who scored a 4-point takedown in the early seconds of the first period, comes storming out in the second with a driving takedown to the back and scores a fall over Zeidlere to advance to the qualification match at 68kg.

15:56: Asian Games bronze medalist Laylokhon SOBIROVA (UZB) snatches a victory from the jaws of defeat when she comes back from six points down to score a fall over Yaynelis SANZ (CUB) 57kg. Sanz looked to be well on her way to the qualification match when she opened with a 4-point takedown in the first period, then adds another takedown in the second. But when Sanz shoots for a double-leg, Sobirova hits a hard whizzer, pulls in the far arm and puts Sanz on her back. The outcome had seemed even more unlikely when Sobirova appeared to twist her right knee late in the first period and took a timeout for treatment.

15:47: Alina AKOBIIA (UKR) uses a combination of muscle and finesse to chalk up a 10-4 victory over home favorite Elvira KAMALOGLU (TUR) at 57kg and move one win away from Paris. Akobiia gains four points during a second-period scramble that begins with her counter to a seemingly sure takedown

15:45: Entertaining 68kg quarterfinal between Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE) and NISHA (IND). Hanzlickova almost got the pin in the first period but Nisha managed to keep her one shoulder up. She scored two counters to take a 6-3 lead but Hanzlickova managed to hit a head lock which scored one as Nisha had stepout first. Hanzlickova challenges asking for four points but to no avail and Nisha will wrestle for a spot for the Paris Olympics.

15:30: Khulan BATKHUYAG (MGL) chalks up an impressive 6-1 victory over three-time Olympian Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) to make the qualification match at 53kg. Batkhuyag fights off a whizzer for a takedown, then scores a stepout with a fleeing point tacked on to lead 4-1 at the break. In the second period, Batkhuyag shucks Prevolaraki by for another takedown, then keeps the Greek from ever launching an effective attack. She will face Yetgil for the Olympic spot.

15:21: Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) scores all of her points in a quick span of the first period and moves one win away from an Olympic berth at 53kg by beating Jowita WRZESIEN (POL) 7-0. With Wrzesien on the activity clock, Yetgil spins behind for a takedown and immediately locks an arm, then adds a pair of rolls. 

15:20: Mariya STADNIK (AZE) is so brutal! She manages to throw Viyaleta CHYRYK (AIN) for a five in her 11-0 win in just under three minutes to win 11-0 at 50kg

15:10: Davaanasan ENKH AMAR (MGL), a double Asian bronze medalist at 72kg, handles the extra weight and two-time Olympian and world medalist Samar HAMZA (EGY) with a 6-1 win at 76kg. After receiving an activity point, Enkh Amar stops a lateral drop attempt for 2 to go up 3-0. In the second period, Enkh Amar gains a takedown at the edge, with an additional point for an unsuccessful challenge added on.

15:03: Mariana DRAGUTAN (MDA) advances to the qualification match at 53kg with a tough 9-7 victory over Shokhida AKHMEDOVA (UZB). Dragutan trails 4-2 going into the second period but goes ahead with a low-single takedown, a driving takedown to the back, and an exposure.

14:47: In perhaps a sign of a changing of the guard, Pauline LECARPENTIER (FRA) scores a takedown in each period and knocks off the venerable Epp MAE (EST) 4-1 at 76kg.

14:44: A slimmed down Nesrin BAS (TUR) continues to thrill the home crowd, getting a pair of first-period takedowns in a 6-4 victory over Natalia KUBATY (POL) at 62kg. Bas won the European gold at 72kg, then moved down to the only weight class available to her because Turkiye had already qualified at 68kg and 76kg.

14:29: Four-time European medalist Kriszta INCZE (ROU) uses an inner thigh block for a 4-point takedown that puts her in position for a victory by fall at 62kg over Nachi MASUDA (AUS), a rare example of a native Japanese who switched nationality.

14:12: Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU) follows a 4-point whizzer throw by hitting Yelena SHALYGINA (KAZ) with a headlock throw for a fall at 68kg. Shalygina, a 2008 Olympic bronze medalist and three-time world medalist, famously returned to the sport in 2022 from a 10-year absence.

14:27: Johanna LINDBORG (SWE) was leading 5-0 before she pins Lais NUNES (BRA) in the 68kg 1/8 finals. Sweden is looking for its second Paris spot in women's wrestling. The one it has is at 53kg.

14:12: Three-time European bronze medalist Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE) advances at 68kg with a victory by fall at Tindra SJOEBERG (SWE). Hanzlickova is looking to get back to the Olympics after appearing at Rio 2016.

14:10:  Yaynelis SANZ (CUB) continues to establish herself as one to beat at 57kg, staying constantly on the attack and using a lightning-quick single leg to defeat Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Evelina NIKOLOVA (BUL) 15-4. Sanz builds up a 13-4 lead in the first period, then finishes it off with a takedown 20 seconds into the second.

14:03: Two-time Olympian Feng ZHOU (CHN) needs just 27 seconds to take down Ohyoung HA (KOR) and secure a fall at 68kg.

14:00: Sezim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) gets the takedown, then it's four quick rolls and she's a 10-0 winner in 27 seconds over Ester ABRAHAM (NAM) at 57kg.

13:59: Two-time European champion Alina AKOBIIA (UKR) stays on track for her first Olympic appearance at 57kg, building up a 7-0 lead before securing a fall over  Graciela SANCHEZ (ESP).

13:49: Miesinnei Mercy GENESIS (NGR) hangs on for an impressive 3-0 victory over 2022 world bronze medalist Anna LUKASIAK (POL) to advance at 50kg.

13:46: Superstar Mariya STADNIK (AZE), coming off a stunning loss at the European Olympic Qualifier as she shoots for an unprecedented fifth Olympic medal, starts with a one-sided 10-0 win over Meng Hsuan HSIEH (TPE) at 50kg.

13:43: Veteran two-time world bronze medalist Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) prevails for a nail-biting 6-5 victory at 53kg over Karla GODINEZ (CAN) that featured two challenges in the final 15 seconds. Both challenges came when Prevolaraki used a counter lift roll off a Godinez takedown attempt, and both resulted in each wrestler getting 2 points--which gave a relieved Prevolararki the win as she aims to appear in a third straight Olympics.

13:27: Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) scrapes by at 53kg with a 3-2 victory over Annika WENDLE (GER) that ended in a bit of chaos. Yetgil was leading 2-1 from a first-period takedown when Wendle launched a late takedown attempt that was interrupted by the mat chairman throwing the stuffed animal into the ring to get the mat referee's attention. The action was stopped before Wendle could be awarded points. The German side challenged, and when it was sorted out, Yetgil was assessed a 1-point penalty for grabbing fingers, and received a point for the lost challenge. The clock was reset to 10 seconds, but Wendle's last-ditch front headlock throw came just too late.

13:16: Tokyo Olympian Jowita WRZESIEN (POL) gets past Marina SEDNEVA (KAZ) with a fall at 53kg with 25 seconds left. Wrzesien takes a 5-0 lead into the second period, when she scores a takedown to the back before securing the fall.  She will face the winner of Annika WENDLE(GER)-Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) currently underway on the adjacent mat.

12:59: In a clash of wrestlers who recently won bronze medals at 55kg at their respective continental championships, Mariana DRAGUTAN (MDA) pours it on in the second period and advances at 53kg with an 11-1 win over Aruuke KADYRBEK KYZY (KGZ). Down 1-0 going into the second period and with Kadyrbek Kyzy on the activity clock, Dragutan scores a counter takedown and gut wrench, then gets another takedown which she tops off with two rolls.

12:41: Yuliana YANEVA (BUL), moving up to the heaviest weight of 76kg after medaling at the last four European Championships at either 68kg or 72kg, wins a barn-burner 7-5 over Martina KUENZ (AUT). Yaneva falls behind on criteria 3-3 when she gives up a stepout with 56 seconds left, but comes back with a 4-point takedown with :33 to go, then holds on for the win.

12:27: The randomness of the draw put two of the most decorated wrestlers in the tournament against each other, as Epp MAE (EST) and Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ) meet in the first round at 76kg. Both are 32, and both are looking to appear in a third straight Olympics. It is the four-time world medalist Mae who comes out on top, getting an activity point and stepout in the second period for a 2-1 win. Syzdykova came into Istanbul after winning her eighth career Asian medal.

12:22: 72kg U23 world champion Nesrin BAS (TUR), almost forced to go down to 62kg in a bid to be at the Olympics, begins his road to Paris with a 6-1 win over Ameline DOUARRE (FRA).

12:19: Former world 59kg champion Linda MORAIS (CAN), looking to bounce back from a stunning loss at the Pan American Qualifier, starts her quest at 68kg by putting away Danute DOMIKAITYTE (LTU) 10-0.    

12:13: In a battle of three-time European medalists, Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU) gets a takedown in each period to defeat Dalma CANEVA (ITA)  5-1 at 68kg.

12:10: Tokyo Olympian Elis MANOLOVA (AZE) drops her first bout at 68kg 10-2 against Nicoll PARRADO (COL). Manolova never had similar results in the new weight class after she moved to it from 62kg

11:50: Anna LUKASIAK (POL), a 2022 world bronze medalist, advances at 50kg with a 10-0 rout of Marina KARAPANAGIOTIDOU (GRE).

11:49: Alina AKOBIIA (UKR), looking to add an Olympic medal to a world bronze and two European golds, starts her quest for Paris at 57kg with a victory by fall over In Sun JONG (PRK). With Akobiia leading 3-1 in the second period, Song gets treatment on a heavily taped right knee, then takes a shot that Akobiia counters with a cradle for 2 and apparent fall. A meeting of the judges after the action stopped would indeed confirm it was a fall.  

11:28: Son Hyang KIM (PRK), a world bronze medalist in 2017 who returned to the global stage to win a silver medal at last September's Asian Games, but suffered a close first-round loss at last month's Asian Olympic Qualifier, avoids any mistakes in a 6-0 victory over  Julie Martine SABATIE (FRA) at 50kg.

11:10: Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) thrills the home crowd with a 7-0 win over Maria BAEZ (ESP) at 53kg. Turkiye has qualified for three weight classes but is looking for three more from this tournament.

11:05: In a doozy on Mat C, Laura HERIN AVILA (CUB) scores a stepout with 22 seconds left to finish up a wild 18-8 win at 53kg over two-time world U20 bronze medalist Gultakin SHIRINOVA (AZE). 

11:03: Mariana DRAGUTAN (MDA), a 2023 world bronze medalist at 55kg, begins her quest for an Olympic spot at 53kg by using a reverse pancaked to build up an 8-0 lead over Oleksandra KOGUT (AUT). Kogut fights back for a takedown and turn, but Dragutan holds on to walk off an 8-4 winner.

10:53: With the Greco repechage matches finished on Mat B, Zineb ECH CHABKI (MAR)  starts the women's competition with a nicely timed 4-point headlock throw against Irena BINKOVA (BUL) at 53kg. But Binkova comes back with a takedown to cut the gap. In the second period, Binkova again gets a takedown, then follows it up by bulling Ech Chabki over for a fall. 

10:00: We will start the day with Greco-Roman repechage bouts. The winners will go into the second round of repechage and then the bronze-medal bouts in the evening.