Pirozhkov, Maroulis, Rix receive draws as Women's World Championships set to begin
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by Craig Sesker
TOKYO, Japan - American wrestlers Elena Pirozhkov, Helen Maroulis and Deanna Rix are set to begin their quests for medals at the Women's World Championships.
The three U.S. women's freestyle competitors weighed in and received their draws Friday afternoon at Yoyogi National Stadium. Competition for the three-day event is scheduled to kick off at 10 a.m. on Saturday.
Maroulis, a 2008 Junior World bronze medalist, drew Poland's Roksana Zasina in the opening round at 51 kg/112.25 lbs. Zasina placed eighth at the 2008 Junior Worlds. Maroulis beat Zasina 3-1, 1-1 in July at Junior Worlds. The 17-year-old Maroulis (Rockville, Md./New York AC) is the youngest U.S. World Team member in 12 years.
Rix, a past National High School Wrestler of the Year, will open against Alena Filipova of Belarus at 59 kg/130 lbs. Filipova placed fifth at the 2007 World Championships and was 13th at the 2008 Olympics at 55 kg/121 lbs. Rix (River Falls, Wis./New York AC) knocked off 2007 World Team member Leigh Jaynes to make the U.S. team.
Pirozhkov, a 2008 World University champion, will battle two-time World bronze medalist Monika Rogien-Michalik of Poland in her first match at 67 kg/147.5 lbs. Michalik placed eighth at the 2008 Olympics at 63 kg/138.75 lbs.
"We have a mixed team of veterans and people on their way up," U.S. Coach Terry Steiner said. "When people make a U.S. team we feel we're in a position to do something and I don't think it's any different here just because we're young in some situations. We have to come out and compete hard. We're going to have to be ready to go right away because we have some veterans we are going up against in our first matches.
"We need to focus on our mental frame of mind and getting prepared for tomorrow. This group is eager and hungry, and they want to see where they're at on the World stage. This is a good challenge for them. Most of these girls have had success at every level and they know how to win."
Pirozhkov (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) dropped a 1-0, 4-1 match to Michalik earlier this year in the finals of the Klippan Ladies Open in Sweden.
"We can't give up easy points against a veteran girl like her," Steiner said. "We have to be ready to go. We have to make her wrestle and we need to really watch where we're at on the mat.
The three U.S. women's freestyle competitors weighed in and received their draws Friday afternoon at Yoyogi National Stadium. Competition for the three-day event is scheduled to kick off at 10 a.m. on Saturday.
Maroulis, a 2008 Junior World bronze medalist, drew Poland's Roksana Zasina in the opening round at 51 kg/112.25 lbs. Zasina placed eighth at the 2008 Junior Worlds. Maroulis beat Zasina 3-1, 1-1 in July at Junior Worlds. The 17-year-old Maroulis (Rockville, Md./New York AC) is the youngest U.S. World Team member in 12 years.
Rix, a past National High School Wrestler of the Year, will open against Alena Filipova of Belarus at 59 kg/130 lbs. Filipova placed fifth at the 2007 World Championships and was 13th at the 2008 Olympics at 55 kg/121 lbs. Rix (River Falls, Wis./New York AC) knocked off 2007 World Team member Leigh Jaynes to make the U.S. team.
Pirozhkov, a 2008 World University champion, will battle two-time World bronze medalist Monika Rogien-Michalik of Poland in her first match at 67 kg/147.5 lbs. Michalik placed eighth at the 2008 Olympics at 63 kg/138.75 lbs.
"We have a mixed team of veterans and people on their way up," U.S. Coach Terry Steiner said. "When people make a U.S. team we feel we're in a position to do something and I don't think it's any different here just because we're young in some situations. We have to come out and compete hard. We're going to have to be ready to go right away because we have some veterans we are going up against in our first matches.
"We need to focus on our mental frame of mind and getting prepared for tomorrow. This group is eager and hungry, and they want to see where they're at on the World stage. This is a good challenge for them. Most of these girls have had success at every level and they know how to win."
Pirozhkov (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) dropped a 1-0, 4-1 match to Michalik earlier this year in the finals of the Klippan Ladies Open in Sweden.
"We can't give up easy points against a veteran girl like her," Steiner said. "We have to be ready to go. We have to make her wrestle and we need to really watch where we're at on the mat.
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