Update: Gray beats Adar for OW, Miracle also wins gold, as USA claims seven medals at Klippan Lady Open
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by Gary Abbott, USA Wrestling
Photos of Adeline Gray and Kayla Miracle on the top of the awards podium at the Klippan Lady Open by Emma Randall.
KLIPPAN, Sweden – It was a great day for Team USA on the final day of the Klippan Lady Open on Sunday, the first of the UWW Ranking Tournaments in women’s freestyle wrestling.
Adeline Gray made a triumphant return to the top of international wrestling, Kayla Miracle had a breakthrough performance on the Senior level, and seven American Senior women are coming home with medals from Sweden.
Gray, a three-time World champion and five-time World medalist, won the most anticipated match of the event, defeating 2017 World champion Yasemin Adar of Turkey in the finals, 9-6 at 76 kg/167 lbs. After a close first period, where Adar had a slight edge, Gray opened it up in the second period, scoring three different takedowns and firing up the crowd with her display of skill and grit.
Gray received the Outstanding Wrestler award for the tournament, which featured numerous World and Olympic medalists in the draw.
The world was watching the 76 kg/167 lbs. class closely, as 2016 Olympic champion Erica Wiebe of Canada was also in the weight class. Adar defeated Wiebe in the first round, and powered her way to the finals. Gray got a bit of revenge in the semifinals, defeating Epp Mae of Estonia, 7-1, who had beaten her in the Russia Cup finals in December.
The other gold went to Miracle (Campbellsville, Ky./Sunkist Kids) at 62 kg/136.5 lbs., where she defeated one of the world’s top stars, 2014 World champion and three-time World medalist Yulia Tkach Ostapchuk of Ukraine, 4-3 in the finals.
Miracle is fresh off winning her fourth WCWA women’s college national title last weekend for Campbellsville University. A three-time age-group World medalist, this is Miracle’s biggest win on the Senior level. She won four straight matches on the way to her gold medal.
“We had a pretty good day today during the medal rounds. Adeline and Kayla had a GREAT day, beating World champions in the process of winning the gold medal. In both of their matches, they came out and put points on the board early, forcing the action early and often in their matches. I am proud of their wins, but even happier with the way they won,” said National Women’s Coach Terry Steiner.
Five other U.S. women won bronze-medals on Sunday: Sarah Hildebrandt (Colorado Springs, Colo. / New York AC) at 53 kg/116.5 lbs., Lauren Louive (Iowa City, Iowa / Hawkeye WC) at 59 kg/130 lbs., Tamyra Stock (Colorado Springs, Colo. / Titan Mercury WC) at 68 kg/150 lbs., Victoria Francis (Colorado Springs, Colo./ Titan Mercury WC) at 72 kg/158.7 lbs. and Rachel Watters (Ankeny, Iowa / Aires WC) at 72 kg/158.7 lbs.
Hildebrandt finished off a strong tournament, beating Aysun Erge of Turkey by technical fall, 10-0 in her bronze-medal bout. Hildebrandt, a 2016 World Team member, scored technical falls in all three of her wins over the two-day event.
Louive scored her biggest international performance ever, pinning Kateryna Zhydachevska of Romania in 1:10 to reach the podium.
Stock, a 2017 World Team member, who made history in January as the first American to win back-to-back Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix events, took her bronze by injury default over Laura Skujina of Latvia.
The USA had both bronze medalists at 72 kg, but each took a different route. Francis, a 2017 World Team member, lost in the semifinals Saturday, and came back with a 4-0 win over Alexandra Anghel of Romania for her bronze. Watters, who dropped her opening bout on Saturday, won twice on Sunday in repechage, including her 9-3 win over Ugduler Orsk of Turkey in the bronze-medal round.
Three other U.S. wrestlers placed fifth, after dropping their bronze medal bouts: Amy Fearnside (Colorado Springs, Colo. / Titan Mercury WC) at 50 kg/110 lbs., Jacarra Winchester (Colorado Springs, Colo. / Titan Mercury WC) at 55 kg/121 lbs. and Forrest Molinari (Colorado Springs, Colo. / Titan Mercury WC) at 65 kg/143.3 lbs.
The seven medalists from the USA, as well as the three fifth-place finishers, will score points in the UWW World rankings, which are used to select the seeded wrestlers at the 2018 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
“We came here to test ourselves against some of the best in the world and we found out a lot about this team. We have a lot of work to do. We need to continue to grow and to improve, but we did learn a lot this weekend and that is the most important thing at this point in time. We also went through the competition injury free, which is equally important,” said Steiner.
It is a busy time for the U.S. women’s program, which has been active with international camps and competitions.
“Now, some of the team will stay for camp here in Sweden for the next few days. Others are coming home. I am heading to Kiev, Ukraine with the last group for a camp and competition next week. I feel good about where we are as a team. We just need to continue to improve,” said Steiner.
KLIPPAN LADY OPEN
At Klippan, Sweden
Women's freestyle medalists
50 kg/110 lbs.
Gold –Yui Susaki (Japan)
Silver - Mariya Stadnik (Azerbaijan)
Bronze – Emelia Vuc (Romania)
Bronze - Anzehilika Vetoshkina (Russia)
Final – Susaki dec. Stadnik, 2-2
53 kg/116.5 lbs.
Gold – Nanami Irie (Japan)
Silver - Umi Imai (Japan)
Bronze – Sarah Hildebrandt (USA)
Bronze – Natalia Malysheva (Russia)
Final – Irie dec. Imai, 4-2
55 kg/121 lbs.
Gold –Stalvira Orshush (Russia)
Silver - Bediha Gun (Turkey)
Bronze - Nina Menkenova (Russia)
Bronze – Ramona Galambos (Hungary)
Final – Orshush dec. Gun, 3-2
57 kg/125.5 lbs.
Gold – Sae Nanjo (Japan)
Silver - Tetyana Kit (Ukraine)
Bronze – Irina Olgonova (Russia)
Bronze – Alexandra Andreeva (Russia)
Final – Nanjo dec. Kit, 6-2
59 kg/130 lbs.
Gold – Grace Bullen (Norway)
Silver - Akie Hanai (Japan)
Bronze – Elif Jale Yesilirmak (Turkey)
Bronze – Lauren Louive (USA)
Final – Bullen dec. Hanai, 3-2
62 kg/136.6 lbs.
Gold – Kayla Miracle (USA)
Silver - Yulia Tkach Ostapchuk (Ukraine)
Bronze – Olivia Henningsson (Sweden)
Bronze - Luisa Niemesch (Germany)
Final – Miracle dec. Tkach, 4-3
65 kg/143 lbs.
Gold – Petra Olli (Finland)
Silver - Miwa Morikawa (Japan)
Bronze – Yulia Prontsevitch (Russia)
Bronze – Henna Katarina Johansson (Sweden)
Final – Olli dec. Morikawa, 5-4
68 kg/149.5 lbs.
Gold – Danielle Lappage (Canada)
Silver - Alla Cherkasova (Ukraine)
Bronze – Tamyra Stock (USA)
Bronze – Olivia DiBacco (Canada)
Final – Lappage dec. Cherkasova, 9-4
72 kg/158.5 lbs.
Gold – Jenny Fransson (Sweden)
Silver - Tatiana Kolesnikova Morozova (Russia)
Bronze – Rachel Watters (USA)
Bronze – Victoria Francis (USA)
Final – Fransson tech. fall Kolesnikova, 4-0
76 kg/167 lbs.
Gold – Adeline Gray (USA)
Silver - Yasemin Adar (Turkey)
Bronze – Erica Wiebe (Canada)
Bronze – Epp Mae (Estonia)
Final – Gray dec. Adar, 9-6
U.S. women’s freestyle performances
50 kg/110 lbs. – Victoria Anthony (Tempe, Ariz./ Sunkist Kids)
WIN Natasha Kramble (Canada)., tech fall 10-0
LOSS Yu Sasaki (Japan), 7-1
LOSS Anzehilika Vetoshkina (Russia), 4-4
50 kg/110 lbs. – Erin Golston (Colorado Springs, Colo. / New York AC/ OTC)
WIN Romona Eriksen (Norway), tech. fall 10-0
LOSS Amy Fearnside (USA), 11-3
50 kg/110 lbs. – Amy Fearnside (Colorado Springs, Colo. / Titan Mercury WC), 5th place
WIN Valeriya Chepsarakova (Russia), 7-4
WIN Erin Golston (USA), 11-3
LOSS Mariya Stadnik (Azerbaijan), tech. fall 10-0
LOSS Emilia Vuc (Romania), 11-8
53 kg/116.5 lbs. – Sarah Hildebrandt (Colorado Springs, Colo. / New York AC, bronze medal
WIN Karalina Tjapko (Latvia), tech. fall 10-0
WIN Nina Hemmer (Germany), tech. fall 10-0
LOSS Nanami Irie (Japan), tech. fall 11-0
WIN Aysun Erge (Turkey), tech. fall 10-0
55 kg/121 lbs. – Jacarra Winchester (Colorado Springs, Colo. / Titan Mercury WC), 5th place
LOSS Bediha Gun (Turkey), 5-4
LOSS Nina Menkenova (Russia), 5-4
55 kg/121 lbs. – Ronna Heaton (Brookings, S.D. / Sunkist Kids)
WIN Liliana Juarez Andino (Sweden), 8-0
LOSS Sena Nagamoto (Japan), tech fall 12-2
57 kg/125.5 lbs. – Michaela Beck (New York, N.Y.)
LOSS Cara Nania (Canada), tech. fall 10-0
59 kg/130 lbs. – Lauren Louive (Iowa City, Iowa / Hawkeye WC), bronze medal
LOSS Grace Bullen (Norway), 7-0
WIN Kateryna Zhydachevska (Romania), pin 1:10
59 kg/130 lbs. – Koral Sugiyama (Pocatello, Idaho / Campbellsville),
LOSS Kateruna Zhydachevska (Romania),tech. fall 12-1
62 kg/136.6 lbs. – Kayla Miracle (Campbellsville, Ky. / Sunkist Kids), gold medal
WIN Naimi Ruike (Japan), 7-0
WIN Derya Bayhan (Turkey), pin 4:39
WIN Luisa Niemesch (Germany), 2-1
WIN Yulia Tkach Ostapchuk (Ukraine), 3-2
65 kg/143.3 lbs. – Mallory Velte (Sacramento, Calif. / Titan Mercury WC),
WIN Kriszta Incze (Romania), 4-1
LOSS Malin Henna Johansson (Sweden), 2-2
65 kg/143.3 lbs. – Forrest Molinari (Colorado Springs, Colo. / Titan Mercury WC), 5th place
LOSS Petra Olli (Finland), 9-0
WIN Cesilie Magnussen (Norway), tech. fall 10-0
LOSS Y. Prontsevitch (Russia), 2-1
65 kg/143.3 lbs. – Maya Nelson (Denver, Colo./ Sunkist Kids),
LOSS Gabriella Sleisz (Hungary), 5-2
68 kg/150 lbs. – Tamyra Stock (Colorado Springs, Colo. / Titan Mercury WC), bronze medal
WIN Buse Tosun (Turkey), 6-3
LOSS Danielle Lappage (Canada), 4-2
WIN Laura Skujina (Latvia), injury default
68 kg/150 lbs. – Julia Salata (Bristol, Tenn. / New York AC),
WIN Umi Fukushima (Japan), tech. fall 10-0
LOSS Olivia DiBacco (Italy), 2-0
72 kg/158.7 lbs. – Victoria Francis (Colorado Springs, Colo./ Titan Mercury WC), bronze medal
WIN Naruha Matsuyuki (Japan), 3-2
LOSS Jenny Fransson (Sweden), tech. fall 10-0
WIN Alexandra Anghel (Romania), 4-0
72 kg/158.7 lbs. – Rachel Watters (Ankeny, Iowa / Aires WC), bronze medal
LOSS Tatiana Kolesnikova (Russia), 7-1
WIN Kamile Gaucaite (Lithuania), tech. fall 14-4
WIN Urduler Orsk (Turkey), 9-3
76 kg/167.5 lbs. – Adeline Gray (Kingston, Pa. / New York AC), gold medal
WIN Zsanett Nemeth (Hungary), 4-0
WIN Makotoa Stroe (Sweden), pin 4:10
WIN Epp Mae (Estonia), 7-1
WIN Yasemin Adar (Turkey), 9-6
KLIPPAN, Sweden – It was a great day for Team USA on the final day of the Klippan Lady Open on Sunday, the first of the UWW Ranking Tournaments in women’s freestyle wrestling.
Adeline Gray made a triumphant return to the top of international wrestling, Kayla Miracle had a breakthrough performance on the Senior level, and seven American Senior women are coming home with medals from Sweden.
Gray, a three-time World champion and five-time World medalist, won the most anticipated match of the event, defeating 2017 World champion Yasemin Adar of Turkey in the finals, 9-6 at 76 kg/167 lbs. After a close first period, where Adar had a slight edge, Gray opened it up in the second period, scoring three different takedowns and firing up the crowd with her display of skill and grit.
Gray received the Outstanding Wrestler award for the tournament, which featured numerous World and Olympic medalists in the draw.
The world was watching the 76 kg/167 lbs. class closely, as 2016 Olympic champion Erica Wiebe of Canada was also in the weight class. Adar defeated Wiebe in the first round, and powered her way to the finals. Gray got a bit of revenge in the semifinals, defeating Epp Mae of Estonia, 7-1, who had beaten her in the Russia Cup finals in December.
The other gold went to Miracle (Campbellsville, Ky./Sunkist Kids) at 62 kg/136.5 lbs., where she defeated one of the world’s top stars, 2014 World champion and three-time World medalist Yulia Tkach Ostapchuk of Ukraine, 4-3 in the finals.
Miracle is fresh off winning her fourth WCWA women’s college national title last weekend for Campbellsville University. A three-time age-group World medalist, this is Miracle’s biggest win on the Senior level. She won four straight matches on the way to her gold medal.
“We had a pretty good day today during the medal rounds. Adeline and Kayla had a GREAT day, beating World champions in the process of winning the gold medal. In both of their matches, they came out and put points on the board early, forcing the action early and often in their matches. I am proud of their wins, but even happier with the way they won,” said National Women’s Coach Terry Steiner.
Five other U.S. women won bronze-medals on Sunday: Sarah Hildebrandt (Colorado Springs, Colo. / New York AC) at 53 kg/116.5 lbs., Lauren Louive (Iowa City, Iowa / Hawkeye WC) at 59 kg/130 lbs., Tamyra Stock (Colorado Springs, Colo. / Titan Mercury WC) at 68 kg/150 lbs., Victoria Francis (Colorado Springs, Colo./ Titan Mercury WC) at 72 kg/158.7 lbs. and Rachel Watters (Ankeny, Iowa / Aires WC) at 72 kg/158.7 lbs.
Hildebrandt finished off a strong tournament, beating Aysun Erge of Turkey by technical fall, 10-0 in her bronze-medal bout. Hildebrandt, a 2016 World Team member, scored technical falls in all three of her wins over the two-day event.
Louive scored her biggest international performance ever, pinning Kateryna Zhydachevska of Romania in 1:10 to reach the podium.
Stock, a 2017 World Team member, who made history in January as the first American to win back-to-back Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix events, took her bronze by injury default over Laura Skujina of Latvia.
The USA had both bronze medalists at 72 kg, but each took a different route. Francis, a 2017 World Team member, lost in the semifinals Saturday, and came back with a 4-0 win over Alexandra Anghel of Romania for her bronze. Watters, who dropped her opening bout on Saturday, won twice on Sunday in repechage, including her 9-3 win over Ugduler Orsk of Turkey in the bronze-medal round.
Three other U.S. wrestlers placed fifth, after dropping their bronze medal bouts: Amy Fearnside (Colorado Springs, Colo. / Titan Mercury WC) at 50 kg/110 lbs., Jacarra Winchester (Colorado Springs, Colo. / Titan Mercury WC) at 55 kg/121 lbs. and Forrest Molinari (Colorado Springs, Colo. / Titan Mercury WC) at 65 kg/143.3 lbs.
The seven medalists from the USA, as well as the three fifth-place finishers, will score points in the UWW World rankings, which are used to select the seeded wrestlers at the 2018 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
“We came here to test ourselves against some of the best in the world and we found out a lot about this team. We have a lot of work to do. We need to continue to grow and to improve, but we did learn a lot this weekend and that is the most important thing at this point in time. We also went through the competition injury free, which is equally important,” said Steiner.
It is a busy time for the U.S. women’s program, which has been active with international camps and competitions.
“Now, some of the team will stay for camp here in Sweden for the next few days. Others are coming home. I am heading to Kiev, Ukraine with the last group for a camp and competition next week. I feel good about where we are as a team. We just need to continue to improve,” said Steiner.
KLIPPAN LADY OPEN
At Klippan, Sweden
Women's freestyle medalists
50 kg/110 lbs.
Gold –Yui Susaki (Japan)
Silver - Mariya Stadnik (Azerbaijan)
Bronze – Emelia Vuc (Romania)
Bronze - Anzehilika Vetoshkina (Russia)
Final – Susaki dec. Stadnik, 2-2
53 kg/116.5 lbs.
Gold – Nanami Irie (Japan)
Silver - Umi Imai (Japan)
Bronze – Sarah Hildebrandt (USA)
Bronze – Natalia Malysheva (Russia)
Final – Irie dec. Imai, 4-2
55 kg/121 lbs.
Gold –Stalvira Orshush (Russia)
Silver - Bediha Gun (Turkey)
Bronze - Nina Menkenova (Russia)
Bronze – Ramona Galambos (Hungary)
Final – Orshush dec. Gun, 3-2
57 kg/125.5 lbs.
Gold – Sae Nanjo (Japan)
Silver - Tetyana Kit (Ukraine)
Bronze – Irina Olgonova (Russia)
Bronze – Alexandra Andreeva (Russia)
Final – Nanjo dec. Kit, 6-2
59 kg/130 lbs.
Gold – Grace Bullen (Norway)
Silver - Akie Hanai (Japan)
Bronze – Elif Jale Yesilirmak (Turkey)
Bronze – Lauren Louive (USA)
Final – Bullen dec. Hanai, 3-2
62 kg/136.6 lbs.
Gold – Kayla Miracle (USA)
Silver - Yulia Tkach Ostapchuk (Ukraine)
Bronze – Olivia Henningsson (Sweden)
Bronze - Luisa Niemesch (Germany)
Final – Miracle dec. Tkach, 4-3
65 kg/143 lbs.
Gold – Petra Olli (Finland)
Silver - Miwa Morikawa (Japan)
Bronze – Yulia Prontsevitch (Russia)
Bronze – Henna Katarina Johansson (Sweden)
Final – Olli dec. Morikawa, 5-4
68 kg/149.5 lbs.
Gold – Danielle Lappage (Canada)
Silver - Alla Cherkasova (Ukraine)
Bronze – Tamyra Stock (USA)
Bronze – Olivia DiBacco (Canada)
Final – Lappage dec. Cherkasova, 9-4
72 kg/158.5 lbs.
Gold – Jenny Fransson (Sweden)
Silver - Tatiana Kolesnikova Morozova (Russia)
Bronze – Rachel Watters (USA)
Bronze – Victoria Francis (USA)
Final – Fransson tech. fall Kolesnikova, 4-0
76 kg/167 lbs.
Gold – Adeline Gray (USA)
Silver - Yasemin Adar (Turkey)
Bronze – Erica Wiebe (Canada)
Bronze – Epp Mae (Estonia)
Final – Gray dec. Adar, 9-6
U.S. women’s freestyle performances
50 kg/110 lbs. – Victoria Anthony (Tempe, Ariz./ Sunkist Kids)
WIN Natasha Kramble (Canada)., tech fall 10-0
LOSS Yu Sasaki (Japan), 7-1
LOSS Anzehilika Vetoshkina (Russia), 4-4
50 kg/110 lbs. – Erin Golston (Colorado Springs, Colo. / New York AC/ OTC)
WIN Romona Eriksen (Norway), tech. fall 10-0
LOSS Amy Fearnside (USA), 11-3
50 kg/110 lbs. – Amy Fearnside (Colorado Springs, Colo. / Titan Mercury WC), 5th place
WIN Valeriya Chepsarakova (Russia), 7-4
WIN Erin Golston (USA), 11-3
LOSS Mariya Stadnik (Azerbaijan), tech. fall 10-0
LOSS Emilia Vuc (Romania), 11-8
53 kg/116.5 lbs. – Sarah Hildebrandt (Colorado Springs, Colo. / New York AC, bronze medal
WIN Karalina Tjapko (Latvia), tech. fall 10-0
WIN Nina Hemmer (Germany), tech. fall 10-0
LOSS Nanami Irie (Japan), tech. fall 11-0
WIN Aysun Erge (Turkey), tech. fall 10-0
55 kg/121 lbs. – Jacarra Winchester (Colorado Springs, Colo. / Titan Mercury WC), 5th place
LOSS Bediha Gun (Turkey), 5-4
LOSS Nina Menkenova (Russia), 5-4
55 kg/121 lbs. – Ronna Heaton (Brookings, S.D. / Sunkist Kids)
WIN Liliana Juarez Andino (Sweden), 8-0
LOSS Sena Nagamoto (Japan), tech fall 12-2
57 kg/125.5 lbs. – Michaela Beck (New York, N.Y.)
LOSS Cara Nania (Canada), tech. fall 10-0
59 kg/130 lbs. – Lauren Louive (Iowa City, Iowa / Hawkeye WC), bronze medal
LOSS Grace Bullen (Norway), 7-0
WIN Kateryna Zhydachevska (Romania), pin 1:10
59 kg/130 lbs. – Koral Sugiyama (Pocatello, Idaho / Campbellsville),
LOSS Kateruna Zhydachevska (Romania),tech. fall 12-1
62 kg/136.6 lbs. – Kayla Miracle (Campbellsville, Ky. / Sunkist Kids), gold medal
WIN Naimi Ruike (Japan), 7-0
WIN Derya Bayhan (Turkey), pin 4:39
WIN Luisa Niemesch (Germany), 2-1
WIN Yulia Tkach Ostapchuk (Ukraine), 3-2
65 kg/143.3 lbs. – Mallory Velte (Sacramento, Calif. / Titan Mercury WC),
WIN Kriszta Incze (Romania), 4-1
LOSS Malin Henna Johansson (Sweden), 2-2
65 kg/143.3 lbs. – Forrest Molinari (Colorado Springs, Colo. / Titan Mercury WC), 5th place
LOSS Petra Olli (Finland), 9-0
WIN Cesilie Magnussen (Norway), tech. fall 10-0
LOSS Y. Prontsevitch (Russia), 2-1
65 kg/143.3 lbs. – Maya Nelson (Denver, Colo./ Sunkist Kids),
LOSS Gabriella Sleisz (Hungary), 5-2
68 kg/150 lbs. – Tamyra Stock (Colorado Springs, Colo. / Titan Mercury WC), bronze medal
WIN Buse Tosun (Turkey), 6-3
LOSS Danielle Lappage (Canada), 4-2
WIN Laura Skujina (Latvia), injury default
68 kg/150 lbs. – Julia Salata (Bristol, Tenn. / New York AC),
WIN Umi Fukushima (Japan), tech. fall 10-0
LOSS Olivia DiBacco (Italy), 2-0
72 kg/158.7 lbs. – Victoria Francis (Colorado Springs, Colo./ Titan Mercury WC), bronze medal
WIN Naruha Matsuyuki (Japan), 3-2
LOSS Jenny Fransson (Sweden), tech. fall 10-0
WIN Alexandra Anghel (Romania), 4-0
72 kg/158.7 lbs. – Rachel Watters (Ankeny, Iowa / Aires WC), bronze medal
LOSS Tatiana Kolesnikova (Russia), 7-1
WIN Kamile Gaucaite (Lithuania), tech. fall 14-4
WIN Urduler Orsk (Turkey), 9-3
76 kg/167.5 lbs. – Adeline Gray (Kingston, Pa. / New York AC), gold medal
WIN Zsanett Nemeth (Hungary), 4-0
WIN Makotoa Stroe (Sweden), pin 4:10
WIN Epp Mae (Estonia), 7-1
WIN Yasemin Adar (Turkey), 9-6
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