2017.02.03

Kagata, Furuichi Lead Gold Rush in Women’s Events at Schultz Memorial

COLORADO SPRINGS, U.S. (February 3) – Three-time cadet world champions Kika KAGATA and Masako FURUICHI led a Japanese gold rush at the Schultz Memorial as Japanese entries bagged four gold medals and claimed five medals overall on the final day of competition.

Kagata of Aoyama Gakuin University, also a two-time Asian junior champion, rolled up three technical falls and a pin for her first international title at the senior level, stopping three-time junior world medalist Erin GOLSTON (USA), 14-1, in the 48kg final.

Meanwhile, three-time cadet and junior world champion Furuichi from Nihon University (NU), won her first senior title at 75kg and her fourth international competition overall by edging two-time Pan American champion Justine DiSTASIO (CAN), 2-2, in the gold medal bout.

Furuichi’s NU teammate and 2016 world team member Yui SAKANO (60kg) and Miki KAWAUCHI (58kg) of the Nippon Sports Sciences University added gold medals to the Japanese haul – each with a pair of falls and a technical fall.

Junior world champion Ayana GEMPEI (63kg) from Shigakkan University rebounded from a semifinals loss to Maya NELSON (USA) with two wins in the consolation bracket to add a bronze to the Japanese medal count.

Results of bouts involving Japanese entries:

Women’s Wrestling

48kg KAGATA, Kika (1st, 10 entries)

R1 – df. Charlotte FOWLER (USA) by TF, 10-0, 1:55

R2 – df. Arelys VALLES FERNANDEZ (USA) by TF, 10-0, 1:21

SF – df. Jade PARSONS (CAN) by Fall, 3:23 (8-0)

F1 – df. Erin GOLSTON (USA) by TF, 14-1, 5:56

55kg – KADOYA, Momoka (4th, 4 entries)

RR1 – lost to Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA), 3-8

RR2 – lost to Becka LEATHERS (USA) by Fall, 1:29 (2-2)

RR3 – lost to Kelsey CAMPBELL (USA) by Default, 0:00 (0-0)

58kg – KAWAUCHI, Miki (1st, 7 entries)