Fearnside and Molinari claim bronze as women’s freestyle action concludes at the Poland Open
by Mike Willis, USA Wrestling
Fearnside and Molinari claim bronze as women’s freestyle action concludes at the Poland Open
The women’s freestyle portion of the Poland Open wrapped up this afternoon, with two more Americans bringing home bronze medals.
At 53 kg, Amy Fearnside gutted out a tough win over Russia’s 2019 World bronze medalist Ekaterina Poleshchuk. Fearnside trailed 1-0 at the break after allowing a passivity point. However, Poleshchuk was put on the clock in the second period, and Fearnside fended her off to earn a passivity point of her own. Russia threw the brick on a last-ditch challenge attempt with short time remaining but to no avail. Fearnside walked away with a 2-1 victory and the bronze medal.
The second American to wrestle in this afternoon’s session was Forrest Molinari at 68 kg. Molinari squared off with one of Russia’s up-and-coming talents Khanum Velieva, who is a four-time age group World champion (two Cadet and two Junior titles), a 2020 European Championships gold medalist, and a 2021 European Championships runner-up.
Velieva led 3-0 in the second period on the strength of three step-out points. Molinari started getting to her offense, picking up two step out points of her own to cut the lead to 1. Velieva picked up another step out point to go ahead 4-2 with not much time left on the clock. However, Molinari was relentless, narrowly avoiding going to her back and giving up exposure points, to continue to pursue the match-winning takedown. Once the takedown was secured, Velieva conceded defeat, and Molinari picked up the pin right as time expired.
The Greco-Roman portion of the tournament begins tomorrow at 5:00 a.m. EST and streams live on FloWrestling.
2021 Poland Open
Warsaw, Poland
U.S. Women’s Freestyle Results
53 kg: Amy Fearnside (USOPTC/TMWC) - BRONZE
WIN – Annika Wendle (Germany), 6-2
LOSS – Vinesh (India), Fall 1:15
WIN – Ekaterina Poleshchuk (RUS), 2-1
53 kg: Ronna Heaton (Wisconsin RTC/Sunkist Kids)
WIN – Samantha Stewart (Canada), 4-3
LOSS – Katarzyna Krawczyk (Poland), 6-6 on criteria
57 kg: Helen Maroulis (Nittany Lion WC/Sunkist Kids)
WIN – Tianna Kennett (Canada), Fall 0:31
LOSS – Odunayo Adekuoroye (Nigeria), 13-0
LOSS – Tetyana Kit (Ukraine), 8-2
68 kg: Forrest Molinari (Sunkist Kids/TMWC) - BRONZE
WIN – Battsetseg Soronzonbold (Mongolia), 2-2 on criteria
LOSS – Blessing Oborududu (Nigeria), 8-2
WIN – Khanum Velieva (Russia), FALL 6:00
Finals Results
53 kg
GOLD - Vinesh (IND) DEC Khrystyna Bereza (UKR), 8-0
BRONZE - Amy Fearnside DEC Ekaterina Poleshchuk (RUS), 2-1
BRONZE - Katarzyna Krawczyk (POL) DEC Milana Dadasheva (RUS), 13-8
57 kg
GOLD - Odunayo Adekuoroye (NGR) DEF Iryna Kurachkina (BLR), INJ
BRONZE - Jowita Wrzesien (POL) DEC Magdalena Glodek (POL), 9-0
BRONZE - Magdalena Glodek (POL) DEC Eda Tekin (TUR), 5-1
59 kg
GOLD - Anhelina Lysak (POL) FALL Yuliia Lisovska (UKR), 1:50
BRONZE - Diana Kayumova (KAZ) TF Elif Yanik (TUR), 14-4
68 kg
GOLD - Koumba Larroque (FRA) DEC Blessing Oborududu (NGR), 3-0
BRONZE - Forrest Molinari (USA) FALL Khanum Velieva (RUS), 6:00
BRONZE - Meerim Zhumanazarova (KGZ) DEC Danielle Lappage (CAN), 3-1
72 kg (Round Robin)
GOLD - Alla Belinska (UKR)
SILVER - Buse Tosun (TUR)
BRONZE - Zhamila Bakbergenova (Kaz)