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Elena Pirozhkova named TheMat.com Wrestler of the Week for Aug. 11-17

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by Craig Sesker

Elena Pirozhkova (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) has been named TheMat.com Wrestler of the Week for Aug. 11-17.

Each week, TheMat.com will select an Athlete of the Week, based upon performance within wrestling for that week. The selection committee will consider any level of wrestling, from youth programs through the Senior level.

Pirozhkova, a 2009 U.S. World Team member, won a gold medal at 63 kg/138.75 lbs. at the Poland Open on August 13 in Warsaw, Poland.

Competitors from most of the world's most successful women's wrestling programs were entered in this prestigious pre-World Championships tune-up event.

Pirozkhova defeated 2007 Junior World champion Yulia Ostapchuk of Ukraine in the championship finals 3-1, 1-0.

To reach the finals, Pirozkhova beat three talented opponents. She opened by defeating 2008 University World champion Justine Bouchard of Canada, 0-1, 3-1, 1-0. In the second round, she beat 2008 Junior World silver medalist Paulina Grabowska of Poland, 2-0, 1-0. Her semifinals win was against two-time World bronze medalist Monika Mihalik-Rogien of Poland, 1-0, 1-0.

Pirozhkova, a 2008 University World champion, was eighth in the 2008 World Championships for the United States. She is a U.S. Olympic Training Center resident-athlete.

She will compete in next month's World Championships in Herning, Denmark.

Note: To nominate a wrestler for TheMat.com Wrestler of the Week, send the athlete's name, accomplishments for the week and career accomplishments to Craig Sesker at csesker@usawrestling.org

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