Oslo2021-Day5, Session9 / Japan Advances Four to SF Round, Three More Set for Finals Wednesday Evening

OSLO (October 6) – The Japanese women continued to roll Wednesday at the Oslo 2021 Senior Wrestling World Championships at Jordal Amfi Arena.

In addition to the three wrestlers already set for Wednesday evening’s gold medal finals, four more wrestlers advanced to the semifinal round today for a berth in either the gold medal or a bronze medal matches set for tomorrow.

Sae NANJO(57kg)

With Japan’s four gold medalists from the Tokyo 2020 Olympics relaxing at home, a younger crew of grapplers have stepped up for the world championships and a chance to begin building upon their own reputations.

Highly touted Sae NANJO (JPN) at 57kg defeated Tokyo Olympian Alma VALENCIO ESCOTO (MEX) and Tokyo 2020 bronze medalist Evelina NIKOLOVA (BUL) for a berth in the semifinals. Nanjo, however, will face the biggest of her young career – taking on Rio 2016 gold medalist and Tokyo 2020 bronze medalist Helen MAROULIS (USA).

57kg (17 entries)
Sae NANJO – 2019 World U23 Champion, 2017 Junior World Champion

Round of 16
Defeated Alma VALENCIO ESCOTO (MEX), 9-4
Nanjo started strong with a pair of takedowns and an ankle turn for a 6-0 lead before allowing the Tokyo 2020 Olympian to close the gap, 6-4. Nanjo responded with three points in the second period to secure the win.

Quarterfinals
Df. Evelina NIKOLOVA (BUL) by Fall, 3:46 (11-2)
Nanjo had little difficulty with the Tokyo 2020 bronze medalist, scoring takedowns at will and then securing her berth in the semifinals by fall.

Semifinals
Nanjo will meet the second Tokyo 2020 bronze medalist Helen MAROULIS (USA) – who also happens to be the wrestler who defeated the legend Saori YOSHIDA (JPN) at Rio 2016.

59kg (17 entries)
Akie HANAI – 2019 Junior World Champion, 2018 World U23 silver medalist

Round of 16 – Df. Diana KAYUMOVA (KAZ) by Fall, 4:25 (7-4)
Hanai struggled with the unusual style of the 2021 Poland Open third place finisher in the first period, but came on strong in the second period for the fall.

Quarterfinal – Df. Shoovdor BAATARJAV (MGL), 6-0
With another unorthodox wrestler, Hanai weathered her opponent’s aggressive style and did enough to forge a 6-0 decision and advance to the semifinals.

Semifinals
Hanai will square off with Maya NELSON (USA), 2021 Pan American champion and 2017 junior world champion.

68kg (15 entries)
Rin MIYAJI – 2020 Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix, 2nd place; 2019 Asian Junior Championship, silver medalist

Qualification – Df. Adela HANZLICKOVA (Czech Republic), 12-5
Miyaji surrendered the opening takedown, but forged a 12-3 lead with a combination of attacks and counters before allowing the 2021 European bronze medalist the final score.

QF – Df. Danute DOMIKAITYTE (LTU) by TS, 10-0, 5:01
Miyaji rolls up a quick win in less than a minute and moves on to the semifinals where she will take on Tokyo 2020 gold medal winner Tamyra STOCK MENSAH (USA).

SF – v Tamyra STOCK MENSAH (USA)

72kg (14 entries)
Masako FURUICHI – 2019 World U23 Championships, gold medalist

Qualification – Df. Davaanasan ENKH-AMAR (MGL), 6-0
Furuichi took her time against the Enkh-Amar, fashioning a 6-0 victory with fundamentals and basic attacks.

QF – Df. Divya KAKRAN (IND) by TS, 10-0, 3:51
Furuichi kept matters simple with straight ahead double-leg attacks, powering her way to a 10-0 win at 3:51.

SF – v ANNA SCHELL (GER), a 2019 world bronze medalist in Nur-Sultan.

Medal Matches for Wednesday evening, October 6

50kg
GOLD – Sarah HILDEBRANT (USA) v Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN)
BRONZE – Bohdana KOKOZEI YASHCHUK (UKR) v Nadezhda SOKOLOVA (RWF)
BRONZE – Otgonjargal DOLGORJAV (MGL) v Emilia VUC (ROU)

53kg
GOLD – Akari FUJINAMI (JPN) v Iulia LEORDA (MDA)
BRONZE – Luisa VALVERDE MELENDRES (ECU) v Katarzyna KRAWCZYK (POL)
BRONZE – Samantha STEWART (CAN) v Khrystyna BEREZA (UKR)

65kg
GOLD – Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) v Irina RINGACI (MDA)
BRONZE – Maria MAMASHUK (BLR) v Forrest MOLINARI (USA)
BRONZE – Malin MATTSSON (SWE) v Mimi HRISTOVA (BUL)

76kg
GOLD – Adeline GRAY (USA) v Epp MAEE (EST)
BRONZE – Kiran KIRAN (IND) v Samar HAMZA (EGY)
BRONZE – Anastasiia OSNIACH SHUSTOVA (UKR) v Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ)