Saori Yoshida of Japan won her 11th World Championship on Thursday, defeating Sofia Mattsson of Sweden 5-0 in the finals. Yoshida, who is also a three-time Olympic Champion, showed her ten fingers to the crowd before adding a single digit more to represent her 11th title. Photo: T.R. Foley

Hungary For Gold

The home crowd showed up on the fourth day of competition in Budapest to support their fast-improving women’s team. If they were hoping for an impressive show of strength by their home team, they certainly weren’t disappointed.

In the first match of the final session, Emese Barka got the home crowd cheering and chanting with her first period fall over Mimi Nikolova Hristova of Bulgaria. But it was the second match of the finals that nudged the already jovial crowd to the  edge of a riot

Marianna Sastin wrestled for Hungary’s first gold medal in 59kg women’s wrestling against Taybe Yusein of Bulgaria, and after being down 2-2 on criteria with only 30 seconds left nailed back-to-back three-point moves to put an exclamation mark on her home country’s first gold medal in women’s wrestling.

“I am a big fighter, so I always chase my opponent,” said Sastin. “My conditioning has always been good and I realized that my opponent was getting tired toward the end of the match. Thanks to my coach and husband, Akos, and the fans, parents, friends, and many people from the village Level where I live!”

Barka, was also supported by the home crowd and told reporters, “I have been working a lot for this medal, I had a successful preparation before the world championship and my story is now perfect!”

“It was fun here competing in my home country,” said Barka. “Thanks for the fantastic Hungarian fans.”

Saori Yoshida Adds to Her Record

Saori Yoshida extended her historic World Championship run on Thursday winning her 14th-straight world title, now two ahead of the previous record of 12-straight world titles, held by Alexander Karelin.

Yoshida beat Sofia Mattsson 5-0 in the finals, but it was dominating, 7-0 win over Valeria Kublova which was most impressive. Kublova was the last wrestler to beat Yoshida, earning a win at the 2012 World Cup. Yoshida avenged that loss at the 2012 Olympics and again in the second round of the World Championships.

“I am extremely happy, but there is no time for rest,” said Yoshida. “I am working hard in the next years as well because I would like to win my fourth gold medal in Rio.”

Most Beautiful Hungarian Female Wrestler

To help popularize support for female wrestling in Hungary, the local organizing committee began a three-month campaign to find the “Most Beautiful Hungarian Female Wrestler.” The Facebook-driven campaign generated more than 20k votes on the site Magyarbirkozas.Hu.

The winner, Rural Nikoletta, was handed a tiara by FILA president Nenad Lalovic. Second place went to Pecs Alexandra and third to Andrea Rivasc.

Kaori Icho Wins Again

Not to be outdone by her teammate and friend, Saori Yoshida, Japan’s second-most decorated wrestler of all-time, Kaori Icho registered an impressive, 7-0 technical fall over 2010 World Champion, Battsetseg of Mongolia to win her 8th world title

Icho, who is a three-time Olympic champion, beat Jackeline Renteria (COL) 10-3 in the semifinals, and was barely challenged over the course of her four matches.

“Although I have become the world champion once again, I am not fully satisfied,” said Icho. “I have not yet gotten the most out of myself.”

Japan Out to Dominating Team Lead

With three gold medals after the first five weights, Japan is on track to regain the team title that they lost to China in 2012. Mongolia is in second place with two silver medals and a bronze, followed by China with one gold and one bronze.

T.R. Foley

FILA News Bureau