U23 World C'ships

Japan Sweeps Gold-Medal Matches on First Night of Women’s Freestyle

By Taylor Miller

BYDGOSZCZ, Poland – The Japanese women’s freestyle team went four-for-four in Thursday night’s U23 World Championship finals in Bydgoszcz, Poland.

Haruna OKUNO and Yuzuru KUMANO each won their second World gold medals of the year.

Senior World champion and 2016 Cadet World champion Okuno bested Iryna KURACHKINA (BLR) in the 55 kg finals with a 5-2 win.

The first takedown went to Kurachkina, but Okuno persisted and fought her way to five unanswered points and the third World gold medal of her young career.

Junior World champion Kumano also tallied her second World title of the year on Thursday, defeating 2014 Junior World champion Battsetseg ALTANTSETSEG (MGL).

Altantsetseg led at the break, 1-0. At the whistle, Kumano put the Mongolian to her back for four points and rolled right into a gut wrench. It was a lead that Altantseteg was unable to overcome. Kumano went on to win 6-1.

Points were flying at 63 kg, where Ayana GEMPEI (JPN) pulled out a last-second win over Braxton STONE (CAN), who was one of two finalists for Canada.

Now-four-time World medalist Stone held an 8-5 lead with 10 seconds left in the match. Forcing Stone toward the edge, Gempei threw the Canadian with a body lock for four points and an eventual 10-8 win.

At 75 kg, Yasuha MATSUYUKI (JPN) won with a technical fall over Gracelynn DOOGAN (CAN) in the second period. Matsuyuki’s offense proved to be too much as she fired off four takedowns en route World gold.

Finals results

55 kg
Gold - Haruna OKUNO (JPN) dec. Iryna KURACHKINA (BLR), 5-2
Bronze - Alina AKOBIIA (UKR) win by fall Bediha GUN (TUR)
Bronze - Nina MENKENOVA (RUS) dec. Simona PRICOB (ROU), 5-0

58 kg
Gold - Yuzuru KUMANO (JPN) dec. Battsetseg ALTANTSETSEG (MGL), 6-1
Bronze - Elin Johanna NILSSON (SWE) win by fall Xiaosen WANG (CHN)
Bronze - Tetyana KIT (UKR) dec. Alyona KOLESNIK (AZE), 3-1

63 kg
Gold - Ayana GEMPEI (JPN) dec. Braxton Rei STONE (CAN), 10-8
Bronze - Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE) win by fall Tatiana SMOLIAK (RUS)
Bronze - Moa Lena Maria NYGREN (SWE) win by fall Luzie MANZKE (GER)

75 kg
Gold - Yasuha MATSUYUKI (JPN) tech. fall Gracelynn DOOGAN (CAN), 12-2
Bronze - Francy RAEDELT (GER) tech. fall Mabelkis CAPOTE PEREZ (CUB), 14-4
Bronze - Anastasiia SHUSTOVA (UKR) win by fall Pooja POOJA (IND)

 

#UnitedWorldWrestling

Lalovic meets Kyrgyzstan President, awarded Order of Friendship

By United World Wrestling Press

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (December 8) -- United World Wrestling President Nenad LALOVIC visited Kyrgyzstan on an official visit last week and was received by the President of the Kyrgyz Republic Sadyr JAPAROV.

The two met in Bishkek and discussed Kyrgyzstan's success in wrestling, and the Kyrgyz President noted UWW's contribution towards the development of wrestling and expressed confidence that under Lalovic's leadership the sport will continue to develop dynamically around the world.

UWW AsiaUWW Asia President Mohammed AL-AMAMLEH, left, receives the Certificate of Honor of the Kyrgyz Republic.

UWW Asia President Mohammed AL-AMAMLEH was also present during the meeting and acknowledged the contribution of the continental organization towards growing wrestling.

After the meeting, Japarov awarded Lalovic for his great contribution to the development of wrestling in Kyrgyzstan and raising the status of wrestling on the world stage. In turn, Lalovich presented Japarov with the UWW Order.

Awamleh was awarded with the Certificate of Honor of the Kyrgyz Republic.