#WrestleSofia

LIVE BLOG: World Olympic Qualifiers, Day Two

By United World Wrestling Press

Women's wrestling gets underway in Sofia as 12 Olympic spots will be decided at the World Olympic Qualifiers on Friday. (Day 1 Wrap)

WATCH LIVE | MATCH ORDER | PHOTOS

SEMIFINALS (As they come in)

50kg

Anna LUKASIAK (POL) vs. Seema SEEMA (IND)
Lucia Yamileth YEPEZ GUZMAN (ECU) vs. Patricia Alejandra BERMUDEZ (ARG) 

53kg 
Betzabeth angelica ARGUELLO VILLEGAS (VEN) vs. Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (RUS) 
Andreea Beatrice ANA (ROU) vs. Samantha Leigh STEWART (CAN) 

57kg
Giullia OLIVEIRA (BRA) vs. Mathilde Hélène RIVIERE (FRA) 
Veronika CHUMIKOVA (RUS) vs. Grace Jacob BULLEN (NOR) 

62kg
Veranika IVANOVA (BLR) vs. Bolortuya KHURELKHUU (MGL) 
Liubov OVCHAROVA (RUS) vs. Luisa Helga Gerda NIEMESCH (GER) 

68kg
Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) vs. Elis MANOLOVA (AZE) 
Mimi HRISTOVA (BUL) vs.Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE)

76kg
Yasemin ADAR (TUR) vs. Martina KUENZ (AUT) 
Maria Jose ACOSTA ACOSTA (VEN) vs. Alla BELINSKA (UKR) 

13:27: The quarterfinals are underway in Bulgaria! The match order is listed below.

12:54: That was unexpected! Bullen crushed Morais, 12-2, in less than two minutes and moved into the 57kg quarterfinals. She'll now face Johanna LINDBORG (SWE) for a spot in tonight's quarterfinals

12:47:  The matchup between world champions Linda Morais and U23 world champion Grace Bullen is up now on Mat B!

11:58: That was short-lived. Adar rallied off 16 unanswered points and moved into the quarterfinals with an 18-7 win. She'll wrestle U23 and junior world champion Milaimys de la Caridad MARIN POTRILLE (CUB) for a spot in tonight's semifinals.

11:55: There's a huge upset brewing on Mat A. Genesis Rosangela REASCO VALDEZ (ECU) leads '17 world champion Yasemin ADAR (TUR), 7-2, after the opening period.

11:50: That's back-to-back massive wins for Kriszta Incze. In her two patches, she's defeated two-time Olympic bronze medalist Jackeline Renteria Castillo and world runner-up Elif Jale Yesilrmak. She'll take on world silver medalist Liubov OVCHAROVA (RUS) next.

11:47: Two-time Olympic bronze medalist Renteria trails Incze, 3-2, with 80 seconds left. They are wrestling on Mat A.

11:21:  How about this upcoming match between world champions on Mat B (Bout 201)? It'll be Linda Morais and U23 world champion Grace BULLEN (NOR).

10:56: World champion Linda Morais opens up her day with an impressive three-minute 10-0 routing of '16 Olympian Bediha GUN (TUR).

10:33: Mat A is about to heat up! Two-time world bronze medalist from Hungary Emese BARKA and world champion Linda MORAIS (CAN) will wrestle in back-to-back matches. 

10:08:  How about that timing? Kriszta INCZE (ROU) scored a step out with three seconds left and ended Elif YESILIRMAK's (TUR) quest to become the first Turkish woman to reach the Olympic Games on three occasions. 

10:02: What a way to kick off our women's wrestling opening session! We'll have two-time Olympic bronze medalist Jackeline RENTERIA CASTILLO (COL) beginning the day on Mat A. 

10:00: Just minutes away from action here in Sofia

Olympic silver medalist Oborududu announces retirement

By Vinay Siwach

NIGERIA (June 6) -- Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR) announced her retirement last week, ending a memorable career in wrestling.

The 36-year-old called it quits at the National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, a tournament she made her first appearance as a young wrestler in 2006.

In a career spanning 19 years, Oborududu won the African Championships 13 times, became the first African wrestler to win Olympic silver medal in Women's Wrestling and finished fifth at the Paris Olympics.

Oborududu participated won her first gold at the African Championships in 2010 and maintained her winning streak at the tournament for 15 years. 

“I want to thank everyone who has been part of my journey: the Nigeria Wrestling Federation led by Daniel IGALI, the board members, my teammates, and my family,” Oborududu was quoted as saying by the Nigeria media. "I created a lot of memories, but my most memorable one was the Tokyo Olympics, which ignited hope across Africa. It was the first-ever medal by an African woman in wrestling at the Olympics, and I hope more will come for future wrestlers."

At the sports festival, Oborududu helped Team Bayelsa clinch gold medal in her final bout at the ongoing 22nd National Sports Festival. He later received a farewell from teammates, officials and fans.