2013.07.14

TOSAKA STRIKES GOLD IN WOMEN’S WRESTLING AT UNIVERSIADE

KAZAN, Russia (July 13) – World silver medalist Eri TOSAKA (JPN) rolled over four opponents to win the gold medal at 48kg as the women’s wrestling events got under way at the Universiade.

TOSAKA opened with a win by technical superiority over European champion Valeria CHEPSARAKOVA (RUS) and closed with another technical fall over recently crowned European junior champ Patimat BAGOMEDOVA (AZE).

The triumph was just the second international win for TOSAKA, who has seen only limited action abroad since winning the Asian junior title in June 2011.

Meanwhile, Kanako MURATA had to settle for a bronze medal at 55kg after a loss to eventual champion Valeria KOBOLOVA (RUS) in the quarterfinals. KOBLOVA finished fifth at the London 2012 Olympic Games as Valeria ZHOLOBOVA (RUS).

On her way to the bronze medal, MURATA defeated world bronze medalist Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) and Mongolian Open winner Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL).

At 63kg, Rio WATARI (JPN), opened with a win against last year’s world university bronze medalist Danielle LAPPAGE (CAN), but lost in semifinals to former world champion and Olympic Games bronze medalist Battsetseg SORONZONBOLD (MGL).

In the match for third place, WATARI fell to Austrian Ladies Open bronze medal winner Irina NETREBA (AZE) and had to settle for fifth.

At 72kg, Tamae YOSHII (JPN) dropped her opening bout to junior world No.3 Galine LEVCHENKO (BLR) and was eliminated from medal contention when LEVCHENKO lost in the quarterfinals.

Women’s freestyle

48kg – TOSAKA, Eri (Gold, 16 entries)

R1 – df. Valeriya CHEPSARAKOVA (RUS) by TF, 7-0

R2 – df. Victoria ANTHONY (USA), 7-2

SF – df. Narangerel ERDENESUKH (MGL) by fall (time not available)

F1 – df. Patimat BAGOMEDOVA (AZE) by TF, 8-0

55kg – MURATA, Kanako (Bronze, 16 entries)

R1 – df. Tatiana DEBIEN (FRA), 8-0

R2 – lost to Valeria KOBLOVA (RUS), 4-6

c1 – df. Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) by fall (tna)

F3 – df. Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL) by fall (tna)

63kg – WATARI, Rio (5th, 16 entries)