Women's World Cup

Japan Storms Past U.S., Into All-Asian Clash for Gold with China

Saturday, March 17, 2018 - 19:49 By Ken Marantz

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The big showdown at the Women's World Cup turned into the big blowout, as host Japan powered into the final with a one-sided victory over the United States in the final preliminary group match.

Next up, an all-Asian clash with an impressive Chinese squad that absolutely decimated its group at Takasaki Arena.

Japan, getting an unexpectedly tough win from world champion Haruna OKUNO at 53kg and a surprisingly easy victory from erratic Katsuki SAKAGAMI at 57kg, earned a shot at a fourth consecutive title by routing the U.S. 8-2 and finishing 3-0 in Group A.

China capped its dominant run in Group B by crushing Belarus 10-0, with seven of the matches won by either fall or technical fall, and two by default or forfeit. Only the final match at 76kg went the distance as China lost only one match the entire day in finishing 3-0.

World and Olympic champion Risako KAWAI (JPN) by Max Rose-Fyne 

Japan's victory in the highly anticipated clash with the U.S. was clinched in the minimum of matches when world and Olympic champion Risako KAWAI (JPN) chalking up a solid but somewhat mediocre 5-0 victory over Mallory VELTE (USA) at 62kg to give Japan an insurmountable 6-0 lead.

"Against the U.S., that's like a bad habit I have," Kawai said. "I have the desire, and I want to do more, but I'm always thinking that the opponent will attack and I make it more complicated for myself. It happens all the time and things become difficult."

Still, she did enough to ensure the victory, scoring a takedown in the first period, then gaining an activity point in the second before capping the match with a late takedown.

"Winning is the most important thing, but with everyone thinking that it's only natural that I win all of the time, there are certain things I want to accomplish. The problem is not on the technical side."

Katsuki SAKAGAMI (JPN) defeated world silver medalist Allison RAGAN (USA), 10-0. Photo by Max Rose-Fyne. 

Sakagami showed her mental toughness by stepping up and showing the potential that had previously abandoned her on big stages. She was a bronze medalist at the 2017 Asian Championships where Japan won five of eight gold medals and two silvers, and was one of only two Japanese to fail to medal at that year's world championships in Paris.

With Japan leading 3-0, a loss to Paris 2017 silver medalist Allison RAGAN (USA) could have turned the tide. Instead, Sakagami came out like gang-busters, scored with a 4-point tackle in the opening seconds and rolled to a 10-0 technical fall in just under two minutes.

"In my first match, I didn't finish up my moves to the end," Sakagami said, referring a technical fall victory over Sweden in the opening session. "I scored points, but I didn't finish well, so my coach said, 'You're not going to die, so give it everything you've got.'"

Sakagami gained motivation after seeing Okuno, the Paris 2017 gold medalist at 55kg, struggle to eke out a 7-6 victory over Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA) that could have gone either way.

"I thought the three before me would win handily one after the other, but the 53kg had a tough match," she said. "I thought, maybe America will change the momentum. I knew my opponent Ragan is strong, and that made me go that much harder."

For the United States, it was a bitter pill to swallow.

Adeline GRAY (USA) picked up one of two victories for the United States against Japan. Photo by Max Rose-Fyne. 

"I don't think we ever expected to get beat that bad," said Adeline GRAY (USA), the former three-time world champion whose 6-1 victory over Paris 2017 bronze medalist Hiroe SUZUKI (JPN) at 76kg left her 3-0 individually for the competition.

"For the most part, we came in ready for this day and it's so disappointing that we didn't live up to the expectations that we set for ourselves. It's a bummer for sure."

Gray acknowledged that the U.S. is still playing catch-up with Japan, the dominant force in women's wrestling since its inception.

"Japan is doing something excellent here and on home soil, when they get the momentum going, it's tough to stop," she said. "It's almost awesome to see from the unfortunate side. They have some motivation that comes from within that truly shines on the wrestling mat. It's unfortunate, but we're going to break through one of these days."

The pairing between Japan and China carries so much intrigue because of the incredible progress China has seemed to make in the half-year since hiring Bulgarian coach Simeon CHTEROV.

 

At the recent Asian Championships in Bishkek, China won six of 10 gold medals (five of those wrestlers are on the team in Takasaki), albeit with Japan entering a second-string team. Sunday's final, to be televised nationally, can be considered in some cases to be de facto Asian gold medal matches.

"The Chinese team now believes in themselves," Chterov said. "If they continue believing, I think they can win. This is very important, desire, to win."

For Kawai and Japan, the key to victory will be doing what they know they are capable of.

"I really don't know what's going to happen, but I know the Japanese team has practiced very hard," she said. "If everyone gives their full effort, the result will come."

As an independent but interested observer, Gray expects nothing short of fireworks in the clash between the Asian powers.

"They didn't have a tough match today at all, it looked like a technique practice going on the other mat," Gray said of China's rout of Belarus. "They went out there and executed. Those are some STRONG women. I'm looking forward to it....I'll be curious to see how they [Japan] matches up with China."

The U.S. will vie for the bronze medal against Mongolia which, like the final between Japan and China, is a repeat of the medal match pairings from the 2017 World Cup held three months ago in Russia. Mongolia won that clash.

In the other pairings for classification, it will be Canada and Belarus in the match for fifth place, while Sweden and Romania will battle for seventh place.

Canada finished up the group stage by crushing Sweden 9-1 (the lone loss was an injury-induced default), but one match stood out in particular---the clash at 72kg between Erica WIEBE (CAN), the Rio 2017 Olympic gold medalist at 75kg, and Jenny FRANSSON (SWE), who won a bronze at 69kg.

Fransson was holding a 4-0 lead in the second period when Wiebe scored a pair of takedowns, the second in the final 30 seconds to pull out a 4x-4 win and finish 3-0 in the group stage.

"That's like the trademark of my wrestling," Wiebe said. "I love being behind, and pulling out the win. That's when I really feel I'm able to wrestle---so I've got to work on that."

Wiebe had previously beaten Fransson in a second-round match at the 2013 world championships, and knew---and welcomed---the tough challenge facing her.

"Jenny Fransson is an incredible competitor, she's really tough. We know each other really well. As athletes, I think also as friends, I have a lot of respect for her. I knew it was going to be a tough match, and I always cherish those tough matches. I was excited to draw her, and excited to test out new things in my arsenal."

Asked what new moves she tried out, she said "I shot some high crotches today which I don't usually do. It's Year 2 of the quad [four-year Olympic cycle] and I'm trying to add some tools."

So she expects to be back in Japan for Tokyo 2020?

"That's the hope, that's the plan."

Final Day Pairings
Gold Medal: Japan vs China
Bronze Medal: United States vs Mongolia
5th Place: Canada vs Belarus
7th Place: Sweden vs Romania

Session 3
Group A


CANADA 9 SWEDEN 1
50 kg: Jessica MACDONALD (CAN) df. Malin LJUNGSTROEM (SWE) by Fall, 5:33 (4-0)
53 kg: Diana WEICKER (CAN) df. Linn LUNDSTROEM (SWE) by TF, 10-0, 4:27
55 kg: Jade PARSONS (CAN) df. Liliana JUAREZ ANDINO (SWE) by TF, 10-0, 3:49
57 kg: Samantha STEWART (CAN) df. Sara LINDBORG (SWE), 6-3
59 kg: Emily SCHAEFER (CAN) df. Emma JOHANSSON (SWE) by Fall, 3:58 (4-0)
62 kg: Jessica BROUILLETTE (CAN) df. Therese PERSSON (SWE) by Default
65 kg: Moa NYGREN (SWE) df. Braxton STONE (CAN) by Default
68 kg: Danielle LAPPAGE (CAN) df. Alexandra SANDAHL (SWE) by TF, 10-0, 3:25
72 kg: Erica WIEBE (CAN) df. Jenny FRANSSON (SWE), 4x-4
76 kg: Justina DI STASIO (CAN) df. Denise MAKOTA STROEM (SWE) by Fall, 5:07 (2-0)

JAPAN 8 UNITED STATES 2
50 kg: Yuki IRIE (JPN) df. Victoria ANTHONY (USA), 8-2
53 kg: Haruna OKUNO (JPN) df. Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA), 7-6
55 kg: Mayu MUKAIDA (JPN) df. Becka LEATHERS (USA) by TF, 10-0, 3:26
57 kg: Katsuki SAKAGAMI (JPN) df. Allison RAGAN (USA) by TF, 10-0, 4:02
59 kg: Yukako KAWAI (JPN) df.  Kayla MIRACLE (USA) by TF, 12-1, 1:01
62 kg: Risako KAWAI (JPN) df. Mallory VELTE (USA), 5-0
65 kg: Ayana GEMPEI (JPN) df. Julia SALATA (USA), 5-2
68 kg: Tamyra MENSAH (USA) df. Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN), 8-2
72 kg: Masako FURUICHI (JPN) df. Victoria FRANCIS (USA), 9-2
76 kg: Adeline GRAY (USA) df. Hiroe MINAGAWA (JPN), 6-1

Group B

MONGOLIA 8 ROMANIA 2

50 kg: Alina VUC (ROU) df. Namuuntsetseg TSOGT OCHIR (MGL) by TF, 10-0, 5:14
53 kg: Otgonjargal GANBAATAR (MGL) df. Estera TAMADUIANU DOBRE (ROU) by Fall, 1:36 (9-8)
55 kg: Davaachimeg ERKHEMBAYAR (MGL) df. Simona PRICOB (ROU), 3-0
57 kg: Battsetseg ALTANTSETSEG (MGL)  df. Kateryna ZHYDACHEVSKA (ROU), 11-5
59 kg: Shoovdor BAATARJAV (MGL) by Forfeit
62 kg: Kriszta Tunde INCZE (ROU) df. Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL) by Default
65 kg: Battsetseg SORONZONBOLD (MGL) df. Adina POPESCU (ROU) by Fall, 3:47 (9-0)
68 kg: Tumentsetseg SHARKHUU (MGL) df. Alexandra Nicoleta ANGHEL (ROU) by Fall, 2:16 (16-10)
72 kg: Nasanburmaa OCHIRBAT (MGL) df. Catalina AXENTE (ROU) by Fall, 4:59 (4-0)
76 kg: Chantsalnyamaa AMGALANBAATAR (MGL) by Forfeit

CHINA 10 BELARUS 0
50 kg: SUN Yanan (CHN) df. Kseniya STANKEVICH (BLR) by Fall, 4:54 (2-0)
53 kg: OUYANG Junling (CHN) df. Vanesa KALADZINSKAYA (BLR) by Default
55 kg: ZHANG Qi (CHN) df. Iryna KURACHKINA (BLR) by TF, 10-0, 4:14
57 kg: RONG Ningning (CHN) df. Zalina SIDAKOVA (BLR) by TF, 10-0, 4:43
59 kg: PEI Xingru (CHN) df. Katsiaryna HANCHAR YANUSHKEVICH (BLR) by TF, 10-0, 4:11
62 kg: LUO Xiaojuan (CHN) df. Veranika IVANOVA (BLR) by Fall, 4:47 (4-0)
65 kg: TANG Chuying (CHN) df. Krystsina FEDARASHKA (BLR) by TF, 10-0, 3:55
68 kg: ZHOU Feng (CHN) df. Hanna SADCHANKA (BLR) by TF, 11-0, 3:21
72 kg: HAN Yue (CHN) by Forfeit
76 kg: ZHOU Qian (CHN) df. Vasilisa MARZALIUK (BLR), 3-2

#WrestleIstanbul

World Olympic Qualifier Women's Wrestling Bouts Set

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

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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.