#WrestleAsuncion

South American Games Preview

By United World Wrestling Press

ASUNCION, Paraguay (October 11) --- Wrestling at the 2022 South American Games kicks off October 12-14 in Paraguay's capital city, Asuncion.

A total of 12 countries and 112 athletes will be participating in Asuncion. 

The South American Games are the most important event for the region and mark the beginning of the Olympic cycle for most participating countries.

Greco-Roman begins October 12 with six returning champions from the 2018 Cochabamba Games looking to defend their titles.

Dicther HANS TORO (COL) is the favorite to grab gold at 60kg after winning the 2022 Bolivarian Games and claiming back-to-back Pan-American titles.

After winning South American silver in 2018, Hans Toro is on a quest to grab his first Games gold. He'll have to get through Joao BENAVIDES (PER) and Raiber RODRIGUEZ (VEN), who were silver and bronze-medal finishers in Valledupar, respectively.

Andres MONTAÑO (ECU), a two-time South American Games champion, will move up to 67kg. (Photo: Tony Rotundo)

The most crowded category of the style is 67kg.

Bolivarian Games gold medalist Andres MONTAÑO (ECU) will move to 67kg after spending most of his career down at 63kg. 

Montano is a two-time South American Games champion, winning golds at 59kg at the '14 Santiago Games and 60kg at the '18 Cochabamba Games. 

Montano will have to face Colombia's reigning Pan-American champion Julian HORTA, Venezuela's Shalon VILLEGAS (VEN) and Nilton SOTO (PER).

At 77kg, there will be a likely clash of South American champions. 

Jair Alexis CUERO (COL) comes determined to retain his 77kg South American title obtained four years ago. 

Cuero will share the bracket with two formidable challengers in Wuilexis RIVAS (VEN) and Joilson DE BRITO (BRA).

Rivas is the reigning Bolivarian Games champion, while De Brito has medaled at four consecutive Pan-American Championships after winning 67kg gold at the 2018 South American Games.

In the 87kg Noric-style bracket, Bolivarian Games opponents Carlos MUÑOZ (COL) and Luis AVENDAÑO (VEN) will likely meet for gold.

Munoz is the champion of the 2018 South American Games, while Avendano won gold at the 2019 Pan American Games.
GR 97

Luillys PEREZ (VEN) heads into Asuncion determined to repeat as South American Games champion. He comes into Paraguay fresh off winning gold at Valledupar.

Outside of Perez, rising star Igor QUEIROZ (BRA) is another guy to pay attention to at 97kg. Last year, he won the Pan-American Junior Games Cali-Valle.

World bronze medalist Yasmani ACOSTA (CHI) is favored to win at 130kg. (Photo: Gabor Martin)

In the heaviest category, the favorite to win the title is the well-known Yasmani ACOSTA (CHI). 

Acosta, the Chilean representative of Cuban origin, handed Chile a gold medal in the previous South American Games. 

As always, women's wrestling is expected to be electric, with many rivalries and faces that know each other very well. The style will take place on Wednesday, October 13.

Four athletes will compete for the gold medal in the lightest category of the women's style. 

The current finalists of the '22 Bolivarian Games Jacqueline MOLLOCANA (ECU) and Mariana ROJAS (VEN) are looking to climb to the top of the podium. 

U23 world champion Lucia YEPEZ (ECU) headlines the wome's wrestling entries. (Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

The favorite to win the gold at 53kg is "La Tigra," Lucia YEPEZ (ECU). 

Yepez comes to these Games after reaching the top of the podium at the '21 U23 World Championships and finishing in fifth place at the 2022 Senior World Championships. 

On the way to the gold, Yepez will have to face Betzabeth ARGUELLO (VEN) and Thalia MALLQUI (PER), who will move back up to 53kg for the first time since the 2020 Individual World Cup.

The most crowded category in women's wrestling is 57kg. 

Brazil's two-time Pan-American champion Giullia PENALBER is looking to defend her Games title, but she'll have to take out Luisa VALVERDE (ECU) to do so. 

This is Valverde's second appearance at 57kg. The first was in Valledupar where she won the gold medal. 

This category also brings us young athletes with great possibilities to dispute medals, including Camila AMARILLA (ARG), Tatiana HURTADO (COL) and Antonia VALDES (CHI).

At 62kg, the favorites to meet for top spot are Lais NUNES (BRA) and Nathaly GRIMAN (VEN). 

Nunes participated in three Ranking Series events and won a pair of medals. She also won gold at the Romanian Open and bronze at the Pan-American Championships in Acapulco.

Reigning Pan-Amerian champion Soleymi CARABALLO (VEN) headlines the 68kg field. (Photo: Osvaldo Aguilar)

In the 68kg bracket, 2018 South American finals opponents Soleymi CARABALLO (VEN) and the reigning Pan-American champion Yanet SOVERO (PER) are expected to clash for the title. 

Their last meeting came at the Bolivarian Games, where Caraballo took the victory. 

Valledupar medalists Tatiana RENTERIA (COL) (gold), Genesis REASCO (ECU) (silver) and Maria ACOSTA (VEN) (bronze) are all entered at 76kg. 

Tatiana and Genesis will be the favorites to compete for the gold, while a dark hose to keep an eye on is Linda MACHUCA (ARG), a silver medalist at the 2022 Junior Pan-American Games.

The freestyle competition at the South American Games will take place on October 14 with six gold medals on offer. The competition will see 42 wrestlers in action. 

The 57kg weight class will see Oscar TIGREROS (COL) who has had a great year winning gold at the Bolivarian Games and bronze at the Pan American Championship. He will be the favorite to take the gold although he will have to face the defending champion of the previous South American Games, Pedro MEJIAS (VEN) in 2018. In addition, two promising stars will also be competing for the top medal -- the U20 Pan-Am champion David ALMENDRA (ARG) and Enrique HERRERA (PER).

Tokyo Olympian Agustin DESTRIBATS (ARG) highlights the freestyle entries. (Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

At 65kg, Agustin DESTRIBATS (ARG) arrives as the favorite to win the title, seeking revenge after finishing second four years ago. He will have a chance to avenge the 2018 champion Wilfredo RODRIGUEZ. Also wrestling will be the always dangerous Uber CUERO (COL) and Sixto AUCCAPINA (PER).

The defending champion at 74kg Anthony MONTERO (VEN) will be returning for the gold. He has added the gold from the Bolivarian Games to his resume as well. To win the gold, he will have to face the young Brazilian Cesar ALVAN (BRA), who surprised a few by winning the bronze in Acapulco. The experienced Mauricio SANCHEZ (ECU), after taking the silver in Valledupar in the 65kg, moves up a category to look for another medal as he won bronze in 2018.

Pedro CEBALLOS (VEN) will be chasing history as the veteran arrives determined to take the gold medal, looking to become a three-time champion at the South American Games. He finished as the runner-up at the 2019 Pan-American Games in Lima and champion in the last edition of the Bolivarian Games.

Colombia will be represented by Carlos ANGULO who replaces Carlos IZQUIERDO.

Other athletes with a great chance to get on the podium are Ivan LLANO (ARG) who has silver at the previous edition at 74kg. Bronze medalist from 2018 Eduardo GAJARDO (CHI) and Jorge ANDY (ECU) are also in the fray.

The 97kg weight class will see the Nelson bracket with five wrestlers eyeing the top medal. Despite his five-year absence at the international level, Cristian SARCO (VEN) made his comeback at the Bolivarian Games, showing great form to take gold in Valledupar. He arrives in Asuncion looking to repeat his gold-medal performance. He will have to watch out for Ricardo BAEZ (ARG) and Chilean URIBE (CHI).

At 125kg, following the Nelson bracket, Jose DIAZ (VEN) is looking to position himself in the 125kg after taking bronze in this year's Pan-American Championships. In the Bolivarian Games, He won the silver medal in the Greco-Roman style. 

Catriel MURIEL (ARG), who has been living for years in Makhachkala, Russia, arrived determined to stand in the way of Diaz's gold medal. Muriel also won the bronze medal at the last Pan-American Championship.

Entry list

GR 60kg
Erivan Constantino Rocha  (BRA)
Pedro Maximiliano Gutierrez Urrutia (CHI)
Dicther Hans Toro Castañeda (COL) 
Jeremy Renzo Peralta Gonzalez (ECU)
Nelson Daniel Ferreira (PAR)
Joao Marco Benavides Rochabrun (PER)
Raiber Rodriguez Orozco (VEN)

GR 67kg
Mauricio Alejandro Lovera (ARG)
Juan Carlos Villarroel Joffre (BOL)
Kenedy Anderson Moraes Pedrosa (BRA)
Cristóbal Alonso Torres Nuñez (CHI)
Julian Stiven Horta Acevedo (COL)
Andres Roberto Montaño Arroyo (ECU)
Lisandro Cabrera (PAR)
Nilton Gonzalo Marcos Soto Garcia (PER)
Shalon Villegas (VEN)

GR 77kg    
Joilson De Brito Ramos Junior (BRA)
Jair Alexis Cuero Muñoz (COL)
Raymin Mir Hosseini (PAR)
Carlos Moises Espinoza Castro (PER)
Wuileixis Rivas Espinoza (VEN)

GR 87kg    
Ronisson Brandao Santiago (BRA)
Carlos Andres Muñoz Jaramillo (COL)
Rene Rodriguez (PAR)
Luis Avendaño Rojas (VEN)
Pool Edinson Ambrocio Greifo (PER) 

GR 97kg
Igor Fernando Alves De Queiroz (BRA)
Haner Armando Ramirez (COL)
Luis Fernando Gonzalez Cabrera (PAR)
Luillys Perez Mora (VEN)

GR 130kg    
Marcos Paulo Barbosa Da Silva (BRA)
Yasmani Acosta Fernandez (CHI)
Rodolfo Waithe (PAN)
Pedro Tadeo Aguiar Campos (PAR)
Brayan Loyo Gonzalez (VEN)

WW 50kg    
Katherine Avalos (PAR) 
Nathaly Marilu Herrera Huacre (PER)
Mariana Rojas Diaz (VEN)
Jacqueline Del Rocio Mollocana Eleno (ECU)

WW 53kg    
Gracyenne Helena Leite Alves (BRA)
Javiera Belen Ortega Fernandez (CHI)
Sandy Yalixa Parra (COL)
Lucia Yamileth Yepez Guzman (ECU)
Veronica Grenno (PAR) 
Thalia Jihann Mallqui Peche (PER) 
Betzabeth Arguello Villegas (VEN)

WW 57kg    
Camila Agustina Amarilla (ARG)
Giullia Rodrigues Penalber De Oliveira (BRA)
Antonia Alejandra Valdes Arriagada (CHI)
Tatiana Hurtado Lerma (COL)
Luisa Elizabeth Valverde Melendres (ECU)
Samira Lezcano (PAR)
Yohelyn Valera Fernandez (VEN)
Veralucia Susano Justiniano (BOL)

WW 62kg
Andrea Yurani Gonzalez Gongora (COL)
Leonela Aleyda Ayovi Parraga (ECU)
Lourdes Mariana Velilla Cabrera (PAR)
Nathaly Griman Herrera (VEN)
Lais Nunes De Oliveira (BRA) 
Veralucia Susano Justiniano (BOL)

WW 68kg    
Thamires Martins Machado (BRA)
Chaneth Yorleny Simmonds Campos (PAN)
Pamela Boveda (PAR)
Yanet Ursula Sovero Niño (PER)
Mahealani Alexandra Ramirez Nobre (URU)
Soleymi Caraballo Hernandez (VEN)

WW 76kg    
Linda Marilina Machuca (ARG) 
Ruthy Hellen Pinhal Dos Santos (BRA)
Tatiana Renteria Renteria (COL)
Genesis Rosangela Reasco Valdez (ECU)
Maria Acosta Acosta (VEN)

FS 57kg
Hernan David Almendra (ARG)
Oscar Eduardo Tigreros Urbano (COL)
Richard Antonio García Andrade (PAN)
Enrique Armando Herrera Huacre (PER)
Pedro Mejias Rodriguez (VEN)

FS 65kg
Agustin Alejandro Destribats (ARG) 
Marvin Chavez Claros (BOL)
Uber Euclides Cuero Muñoz (COL)
Wilfredo Steven López López (PAN)
Sebastian Maldonado (PAR)
Sixto Miguel Auccapiña Pedragas (PER)
Stephan Brunings (SUR)
Julian Andres Perez Conde (URU)
Wilfredo Rodriguez Bocaney (VEN)

FS 74kg
Lautaro Agustin Seghesso (ARG)
Cesar Bordeaux Rego Alvan (BRA)
Leon Juan Carlos Peralta Lanas (CHI)
Juan David Sanchez Cardona (COL)
Mauricio Javier Sánchez Saltos (ECU)
Ángel Eduardo Cortés Bonilla (PAN)
Pablo Vera (PAR)
Micha Willems (SUR)
Anthony Montero Chirinos (VEN)

FS 86kg
Jorge Ivan Llano (ARG)
Giovanni De Oliveira Gaion Piazza (BRA)
Eduardo Ivan Gajardo Meneses (CHI)
Carlos Hernan Angulo Murillo (COL)
Jorge Klever Andy Tiwi (ECU)
Ansony Torales (PAR)
Brisd Jahzeel Walttuony Rojas (PER)
Pedro Ceballos Fuentes (VEN)

FS 97kg
Ricardo Adrian Baez (ARG)
Matias Ignacio Uribe Sepulveda (CHI)
Miller Mondragon Arboleda (COL)
Max Linchevsky (PAR)
Cristian Sarco Colmenarez (VEN)

FS 125kg
Catriel Pehuen Muriel (ARG)
Guilherme Pradella Lima (BRA)
Marco Montiel (PAR)
Jose Diaz Robertti (VEN)
Orlando Arispe Jotty (PAN)

#WrestleIstanbul

World Olympic Qualifier Women's Wrestling Bouts Set

By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

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.