TOSAKA TAKES SILVER ON FINAL DAY OF WOMEN’S WORLD C’SHIPS

STRATHCONA COUNTY, Canada (September 29) – Eri Tosaka had to settle for a silver medal at 48kg and Japan finished with its lowest medal haul at the women's world championships since 1997.

Tosaka edged 2011 world bronze medalistat 51kg Patimat Bagomedov (AZE) in the semifinals and took the early lead in the gold medal final against Olympian Vanesa Kaladzynskaya (BLR).

But a late controversial call and two video reviews resulted in the championship title going to Kaladzynskaya.

At 63kg, Kayoko Kudo fell to eventual champion Elena Pirozkova (USA) in the quarterfinals and then 2011 world champion at 67kg Xi Luozhuoma (CHN) in the bronze medal matches to settle for fifth place.

At the end of competition, the Japanese were left with only one gold medal, a silver and a bronze — their worst showing in the women's world championships in 2002 when the system of seven weight categories was instituted.  Japan was last left with one gold medal along with a silver and bronze in 1997 when there was a system of six weight categories.

China won the team title with 54 points from one champion, a runner-up and four bronze medalists to outdistance Japan by 11 points.  The United States was third with 40 points, including two champions, a silver and bronze medalists.

48kg – TOSAKA, Eri (Silver, 16 entries)

R1 – df. Lenka MATEJOVA (SVK), 2-0 (2-0, 1-0)

Tosaka scores three takedowns on her way to a win over the former European junior champion.

R2 – df. Jacqueline Saskia SCHELLIN (GER) by fall, 2P=0:50 (1x-1=last, F4-0)

Tosaka scores with a takedown with 10 seconds remaining in the first period, the knocks the 2010 junior European champion over with an outer thigh-trap and presses for the fall.

SF – df. Patimat BAGOMEDOVA (AZE), 2-0 (1-0, 2-1)

Wrestling cautiously against the 2011 world bronze medalist, Tosaka wins the first period on an early takedown, then takes two safe points in the second period and holds on for the win.

F1 – lost to Vanesa Kaladzinskaya (BLR), 1-2 (2-0, 0-1, 2-3)

Tosaka uses a thigh-trap to take the first period and Kaladzinskaya equalizes in the second with a go-behind.

In the third period, Tosaka scores a drop for two points, but the 2011 European junior champion draws even with a pair of single-point takedowns. In a scramble at the end of the period, Kaladzinskaya appears to score the winning point, but a challenge by the Japanese corner gets the point waved off.

However, a surprise challenge by the Belarus corner, which Japanese coaches argue should not have been allowed, gives a point and the title to Kaladzinskaya.

63kg – KUDO, Kayoko (5th, 19 entries)

R1 – bye

R2 – df. OCHIRBAT Nasanburmaa (MGL), 2-1 (1-0, 1-4, 4-2)

Kudo takes the first period with a double-leg takedown in the final 20 seconds, but Ochirbat draws even in the second with a counter for two poins and an ankle turn.

Kudo grabs the early lead with a pair of double-legs in the third period and then holds off the 2011 world bronze medalist for the win.

R3 – lost to Elena Pirozhkova (USA), 0-2 (0-2, 0-4)

Pirozhkova takes the first with a takedown and cross-ankle turn, then counters Kudo's double-leg attempt with a headlock for three points and a nearfall point.

c1 – df. HOU Min-wen (TPE), 2-0 (1-0, 6-0=2:00)

Kudo scores a single-leg takedown with 15 seconds remaining to take the first period, then counters Hou's takedown attempts in the second, adding points with ankle turns and a near-fall for the technical.

F3 – lost to XI Luozhuoma (CHN), 1-2 (2-4, 1-0, 0-3)

Kudo gives up a three-point takedown at the end of the period to take the first, but draws even with a lone takedown in the second.  In the third, Xi scores with a force-out and two one-point takedowns.

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