WALBRZYCH, Poland (March 27) – Russia rolled to its second team title of the week, but local favorite Daria OSOCKA (POL) stole the show with a gutsy show of never-say-die attitude on the final day of women’s freestyle at the European Under-23 Wrestling Championships.

For the second time in three days, Poland entered the final day of competition in one of the three Olympic Games wrestling styles without even a sniff of a medal.

On Wednesday, Robert BARAN (POL) won a bronze medal for the championship hosts in men’s freestyle at 125kg.

On Friday, it was Osocka’s turn – first pinning junior world champion Sabira ALIYEVA (AZE) in the quarterfinals at 75kg and rolling into the gold medal final with a 7-0 victory over Zsanett NEMETH (HUN) in the semis.

But even with a silver medal already in hand, Osocka was not finished. Against Paris Grand Prix runner-up Epp MAE (EST), Osocka had fans chewing on their handkerchiefs when she took a first and then a second contested force-out point.

“I was really nervous throughout the final, especially since the first two points were awarded after challenges (from Estonia’s corner),”  said Osocka, adding that she kept her eyes on the referees as she thwarted attack after attack from Mae.

In the end, the two wrestlers collided head-to-head in the closing seconds of the bout with Osocka wrapping up Mae for the fall at 5:49 as local fans erupted in celebration for their new heroine.

“I am so extremely happy to have won this medal here at home in front of all our fans,” said Osocka, holding an ice pack on here black-and-blue nose. “This is absolutely incredible. Since I lost (to Mae) in January, I had an additional reason to try harder and the support of the fans here made me even stronger.”

Meanwhile, senior European champion Valerie KOBLOVA (RUS) routed Schultz Memorial runner-up Mimi HRISTOVA (BUL) by technical fall in the 58kg final as Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (53kg) and Anzhela KATAEVA (75kg) added bronze medals to lift Russia, 56-51, over Belarus for the team title.

Senior European runner-up Mariya MAMASHUK (BLR) overwhelmed Czech challenger Adela HANZLICLKOVA by technical fall at 63kg while junior world bronze medalist Liliya HORISHNA (UKR) overwhelmed rival Iryna KURACHKINA (BLR), 13-2, in the 53kg final.

Ukraine took third place Horishna’s gold medal and three bronze medals for 50 points while Turkey, with three bronze medals, trailed in fourth place with 43 points.

On Tuesday, Russia won the men’s freestyle team title, 61-57, over Georgia with Azerbaijan (48 points) a distant third.

The championships continue with Greco-Roman being contested a new set of rules on Saturday and Sunday. 

Results of Friday evening’s medal finals:

53kg (14 entries)
Gold - Liliya HORISHNA (UKR) df. Iryna KURACHKINA (BLR) by TF, 13-2, 3:00
Bronze - Solmaz HASHIMZADE (AZE) df. Pepa DIMITROVA (BUL), 12-11
Bronze - Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (RUS) df. Mercedesz DENES (HUN) by Fall, 4:16 (3-0)

58kg (11 entries)
Gold - Valeria KOBLOVA (RUS) df. Mimi HRISTOVA (BUL) by TF, 12-2, 5:37 
Bronze - Ramona GALAMBOS (HUN) df. Laura MERTENS (GER) by TF, 10-0, 4:01 
Bronze - Tetiana OMELCHENKO (UKR) df. Kriszta Tunde INCZE (ROU), 4-3

63kg (11 entries)
Gold - Mariya MAMASHUK (BLR) df. Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE) by TF, 11-0, 3:00
Bronze - Elmira GAMBAROVA (AZE) df. Agnieszka KROL (POL), 3-0
Bronze - Buse TOSUN (TUR) df. Dalma CANEVA (ITA) by TF, 11-0, 4:51

75kg (8 entries)
Gold - Daria OSOCKA (POL) df. Epp MAE (EST) by Fall, 5:49 (6-0)
Bronze - Zsanett NEMETH (HUN) df. Sabira ALIYEVA (AZE) by Fall, 2:50 (8-2)
Bronze - Anzhela KATAEVA (RUS) df. Natalia LANKO (BLR), 11-9

La championne d’Europe senior Valerie KOBLOVA (RUS) a battu la vice championne du Schultz Memorial Mimi HRISTOVA (BUL) par supériorité technique en finale à 58 kg, alors qu’Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (53kg) et Anzhela KATAEVA (75kg) ont remporté des médailles de bronze au palmarès de la Russie, qui dépasse la Biélorussie 56-51 et remporte le titre d’équipe.

La vice championne d’Europe senior Mariya MAMASHUK (BLR) a battu son adversaire tchèque Adela HANZLICLKOVA par supériorité technique à 63 kg alors que la médaillée de bronze des Championnats du monde junior Liliya HORISHNA (UKR) a écrasé sa rivale Iryna KURACHKINA (BLR), 13-2, en finale à 53 kg.