#WrestleParis

Paris 2024 Preview: Day 1 -- GR 60kg, 130kg; WW 68kg

Monday, July 22, 2024 - 10:50 By Ken Marantz

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PARIS (July 22) -- On the opening day of wrestling at the Paris Olympics on August 5, fans will get a chance to see history possibly in the making. A day later, we could all be witness to a feat that has never been accomplished in the 128-year history of the Olympics -- in any sport.

The already-legendary Mijain LOPEZ (CUB) will attempt to establish an elite group of one as the first-ever athlete to win five gold medals in the same event, when he takes the mat in Greco-Roman 130kg, which will open the Paris program along with Greco 60kg and women's 68kg.

"I am doing something with great focus to be able to show the world that everything you have in mind, and want to achieve, can be achieved," Lopez said. "I know it's in my mind, and I believe the possibility of achieving that result is high."

PARIS 2024 SCHEDULE | PARIS 2024 NEWS

The 41-year-old Lopez will be competing for the first time since he struck gold at the Tokyo Olympics three years ago, a victory that put him into the pantheon of four-time champions with fellow wrestler Kaori ICHO (JPN), who joined the group in 2016, sailing's Paul ELVSTROM (DEN), athletics' Al OERTER (USA) and Carl LEWIS (USA), and swimming's Michael PHELPS (USA).

The fellow man-mountain standing in his way in the heaviest weight class is reigning world champion Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI), who was just 10 years old when Lopez won his first gold medal at Beijing 2008. There could hardly be a more poignant changing of the guard should the Iranian prevail.

There will be no shortage of drama in the two other weight classes as well, with fans to see if the Asian dominance shown in Belgrade at Greco 60kg will carry over to Paris, and a "match-of-the-century"-level clash potentially on tap at women's 68kg, although not knowing which round it might occur only adds to the intrigue.

Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ)Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ), blue, defeated Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN) to win the world title at 60kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Greco 60kg: Asian dominance on the line with Ciobanu as possible spoiler

In Belgrade, the only weight class in which one continent or region swept all of the Paris quotas was Greco 60kg, with Asia taking all five spots behind gold medalist Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ).

Sharshenbekov's successful defense of his world title helped make him the top seed in Paris in his bid to become Kyrgyzstan's first-ever Olympic gold medalist. But rival Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN) is primed to avenge a loss in the Belgrade final and gain the gold medal that he missed out on at the Olympics on home soil.

Fumita, a two-time former world champion, set his sights on leaving Paris in triumph from the minute three years ago that he walked off the mat in Tokyo in tears after losing in the Olympic final to Luis ORTA (CUB). A victory would make him Japan's first Greco gold medalist since Atsuji MIYAHARA (JPN) in 1984.

Since Tokyo, Fumita has tried a number of changes of style to varying degrees of success, but believes he now hit on the right game plan -- just do what feels right at the moment.

"In the three years, my approach to wrestling, the way I attack, has changed several times," Fumita said at press conference with the Japanese media in June. "Now, my wrestling style and training really suit me. It might give me more confidence, but more than that, I feel like I have settled down."

Fumita made a name for himself with his arching back suplexes -- earning the nickname in Japan of the "Cat Wrestler" for his flexibility -- but now realizes that not every victory needs a
touch of flamboyance.

"Before Tokyo, my thing was big throws and I wanted everyone to see it," Fumita said. "After Tokyo, where that didn't work, I went to a defensive style. Now, I don't limit myself to anything. I don't think, I have to try a throw, or I have to be defensive. I do what I want to do.

"I had always thought that the appeal of Greco-Roman was throws, but it's not. It's everything. It's also the details of how a match develops. That's what I want everyone to see."

The championship match in Belgrade was among the most exciting in recent memory, with Sharshenbekov coming out on top of an 11-6 decision in which he fought off a continual series of big-throw attempts by Fumita. So lively was the action that neither wrestler received a passivity point, a total rarity these days in Greco.

The two had met once previously, with Fumita winning 4-0 in the final of the 2020 Asian Championships. With Sharshenbekov the top seed and Fumita at No. 4, a potential third career clash between them would come in the semifinals.

Who will fill the other spot in the final? Leading a formidable list of challengers is third seed Victor CIOBANU (MDA), who is looking to become Moldova's first-ever Olympic champion and just its second-ever wrestling medalist.

While past results are not indicative of future performance, Ciobanu holds a 3-0 record over Sharshenbekov in career meetings. The two met most recently twice in 2021, with Ciobanu winning 9-0 in the Tokyo Olympic quarterfinals and 9-3 in the World Championships final.

Fumita has beaten Ciobanu in their two career clashes, both coming in early rounds at the 2019 and 2023 World Championships.

The dark horse in the medal chase could be Se Ung RI (PRK), who like his compatriots, returned to international action last year after a four-year pandemic hiatus. Ri boasts a 5-3 victory over Fumita in the quarterfinals of the 2019 Asian Championships, where he lost in the final to Islomjon BAKHRAMOV (UZB), who will also be in Paris.

In his first post-pandemic tournament, Ri lost to Ayata SUZUKI (JPN) in the quarterfinals at the 2023 Asian Games before coming back to take a bronze medal. Sharshenbekov beat Suzuki for
the gold.

Others to watch are European 63kg champion Murad MAMMADOV (AZE), three-time Asian medalist Mehdi MOHSEN NEJAD (IRI) and Kevin DE ARMAS (CUB). The latter does not boast the credentials of his counterparts, but has history on his side -- Cubans have won the last two golds in the lightest weight class.

 

Greco 130kg: Lopez aims for history with Mirzazadeh in his path

Lopez has compatriot Oscar PINO (CUB) to thank for making it to the sixth Olympics of his career, despite being out of action for the past three years. It was Pino who qualified Cuba in the weight class by winning a bronze medal in Belgrade, then stepped aside to let Lopez get his shot at history.

Notwithstanding his age, there will certainly be concerns about how honed Lopez's skills will be after not being battle-tested for three years. But you don't win an Olympic gold, much less four, by being unprepared, and Lopez says he will be ready.

"The preparation is done," Lopez says. "I feel in optimal condition and all wrestlers are motivated both in Cuba and internationally. It has been a very important time for me to keep the motivation to get to my sixth Olympic Games and fight for my fifth medal."

Lopez says his training has gone well. "My main training program has been well prepared. I have tried to avoid injuries, the main issue for wrestlers, and will be able to be at the Olympics with motivation, desire and impetus which I always had for the Olympics."

The biggest concern for his opponents is, who will face him first? With his prolonged absence, Lopez accumulated no ranking points and will be unseeded, meaning he could be drawn with anyone, even the top-seeded Mirzazadeh.

Lopez and Mirzazadeh, who also won a world title in 2021, have faced each other only once, with the Cuban scoring an 8-0 victory in the quarterfinals at the Tokyo Olympics en route to the gold.

But should they meet in Paris, he will encounter the 26-year-old Iranian in his prime. Mirzazedeh has not lost since the final of the 2022 World Championships, when he came out on the short side of a 1-1 decision to Riza KAYAALP (TUR). In addition to the 2023 world title, he has back-to-back golds at the Asian Championships in 2023-24.

Kayaalp, who will not be in Paris, is also the last man to have defeated Lopez, but you have to go all the way back to 2015 for that loss, which came in the final at the World Championships. In fact, since his first Olympic triumph in 2008, Lopez has just two losses -- the other was also to Kayaalp, in the 2011 world final.

Is there anyone who can prevent either of these two giants from ending up on the top of the medal podium? They are really in a class of their own, but those with the potential for pulling off a surprise would include 2016 Rio Olympic bronze medalist Sabah SHARIATI (AZE), two-time former world 97kg silver medalist Kiril MILOV (BUL), Cuban-born Tokyo Olympic fifth-place finisher Yasmani ACOSTA (CHI) and four-time Asian medalist Alimkhan SYZDYKOV (KAZ).

For Lopez, victory will not necessarily go to the most skilled. "[Wrestling is] a sport in which all the gladiators have to work hard and show who truly is the best in the world. I am happy to be able to be at the Olympic Games and to convey to the youth that come after us what a real wrestler is."

 

Women's 68kg: Elor, Ozaki launch pincer movement in weight class shifts

World champion Buse TOSUN (TUR) and the other world medalists at women's 68kg might be feeling they are under attack by a pincer movement from both above and below.

The gold medalists in Belgrade in both the non-Olympic weights that sandwich 68kg have qualified for Paris in that division, with 65kg champion Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) moving up and 72kg titlist Amit ELOR (USA) dropping down.

But these two are not your run-of-the-mill world champions. They represent a new generation of superstars already plush with a long list of accolades, and a possible clash between them is among the most anticipated matches of the Olympics. As neither is seeded, the luck of the draw will decide if and when they meet.

Both Ozaki and Elor have both achieved the "grand slam" of world age-group titles, having triumphed on the U17, U20, U23 and senior levels -- all before their 20th birthdays. An Olympic gold medal by either would make her the second to achieve the "golden grand slam" after Yui SUSAKI (JPN).

Ozaki actually has bumped up two weight classes. It is well-documented how the 21-year-old (Elor is nine months younger) seemed on track for Paris at 62kg after winning the 2022 world title, only to be upended by Sakura MOTOKI (JPN), who secured the ticket by taking the silver medal at the 2023 worlds in Belgrade.

Ozaki gained a "consolation" gold at 65kg in Belgrade, but also saw a new door to Paris open when Ami ISHII (JPN) failed to medal at 68kg. After a long and difficult process, Ozaki ended up earning a place in a playoff in January with Ishii for the 68kg quota in Paris, which she secured with a dramatic last-second victory.

Elor, whose only international loss remains a 3-1 defeat by Honoka NAKAI (JPN) in the semifinals of the 2019 world cadets (U17), secured the Paris ticket for the U.S. at the Pan-American Olympic Qualifier, then defeated Forrest MOLINARI (USA) at the U.S. Trials.

While Ozaki spent the ensuing months trying to bulk up without affecting her trademark speed and agility, Elor has been fighting the battle of the scale that she had avoided since she started wrestling as a young girl.

Amit ELOR (USA)Amit ELOR (USA) after qualifying the 68kg weight class for the United States. (Photo: United World Wrestling / William Bain)

"Growing up, my parents didn't let me cut weight, and I'm very grateful for that," Elor said at the U.S. Trials. "It was really good for me and my relationship with the sport. I think that is part of the reason why this is a little bit new and difficult for me."

The muscular Elor, who seems to have little body fat to spare, said there were times leading up to the U.S. Trials when she wasn't sure she could continue the quest.

"I know this may be a shocker, but there were times where I was like, 'How am I going to do this? I think my performance is going to go down if I do this,'" she said. "But I already decided on this and when you pick a goal, you have to stick to it, you have to push through those hard moments and I'm really glad I did."

Ozaki says she was inspired as a child by Kyoko HAMAGUCHI (JPN), a five-time world champion who won bronze medals at the then-heaviest weight of 72kg at both the 2004 Athens and 2008 Beijing Olympics. But it feels odd to her to consider herself now in the upper weights.

"I don't think at all about being in an upper weight," Ozaki said. "I only think about the gold medal and not about whether it will be different in an upper weight. My only thought is that because I am who I am, I can do it."

In her only international foray at 68kg, Ozaki won the gold at the Asian Championships in April in Bishkek. Among her three technical falls was a 10-0 victory over Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL), the runner-up to Tosun at the 2023 worlds who will also be in Paris.

Two of the medalists from the Tokyo Olympics are back, silver medalist Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR) and bronze medalist Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ), as well as two former world champions in Linda MORAIS (CAN) and Irina RINGACI (MDA).

If there is a surprise, it could come from veteran Feng ZHOU (CHN), who finished seventh at the Tokyo Olympics. She has had a strong buildup for Paris, winning the 2023 Asian Games gold and defeating Tosun en route to the gold at the Zagreb Open in January.

#WrestleIstanbul

World Olympic Qualifier Women's Wrestling Bouts Set

Friday, May 10, 2024 - 07:16 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

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ISTANBUL, Turkiye (May 10) -- The World Olympic Qualifier enters day two with women's wrestling in six weight classes. 12 Paris Olympic spots are on offer in six weight classes by the end of the day. The repechage in Greco-Roman and bronze medal bouts will also happen today.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER

 

16:27: Anastasiya ZIMIANKOVA (AIN) closes the session with a 2-2 last-point victory over Francy RAEDELT (GER) at 76kg. Zimiankova is on the activity clock for a second time and just as it runs out to put her behind, she scores a stepout to take a 2-2 lead on criteria. We will see her later tonight in a clash with Catalina AXENTE (ROU).

16:17: Davaanasan ENKH AMAR (MGL) defeats Enrica RINALDI (ITA) 4-0 at 76kg to earn a clash with Yuliana YANEVA (BUL) in tonight's qualification match.

16:12: Nesrin BAS (TUR) thrills the home crowd by pulling off a nail-biting 4-4 victory over Johanna LINDBORG (SWE) at 62kg. A first-period takedown gives Bas a 2-1 lead going into the break, but Lindborg goes ahead with a takedown to open the second. Bas is not deterred and goes on the attack, getting in a on single and fighting out of Lindborg's fierce whizzer to complete the takedown to go up 4-3 with 1:02 to go. Lindborg gets a stepout with :03 left, but it's not enough and Bas screams out in delight. She will face Astrid MONTERO (VEN) for the ticket to Paris.

15:56: Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU) likes to go right to work off the whistle, and  Elma ZEIDLERE (LAT) will tell you better be ready. Anghel, who scored a 4-point takedown in the early seconds of the first period, comes storming out in the second with a driving takedown to the back and scores a fall over Zeidlere to advance to the qualification match at 68kg.

15:56: Asian Games bronze medalist Laylokhon SOBIROVA (UZB) snatches a victory from the jaws of defeat when she comes back from six points down to score a fall over Yaynelis SANZ (CUB) 57kg. Sanz looked to be well on her way to the qualification match when she opened with a 4-point takedown in the first period, then adds another takedown in the second. But when Sanz shoots for a double-leg, Sobirova hits a hard whizzer, pulls in the far arm and puts Sanz on her back. The outcome had seemed even more unlikely when Sobirova appeared to twist her right knee late in the first period and took a timeout for treatment.

15:47: Alina AKOBIIA (UKR) uses a combination of muscle and finesse to chalk up a 10-4 victory over home favorite Elvira KAMALOGLU (TUR) at 57kg and move one win away from Paris. Akobiia gains four points during a second-period scramble that begins with her counter to a seemingly sure takedown

15:45: Entertaining 68kg quarterfinal between Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE) and NISHA (IND). Hanzlickova almost got the pin in the first period but Nisha managed to keep her one shoulder up. She scored two counters to take a 6-3 lead but Hanzlickova managed to hit a head lock which scored one as Nisha had stepout first. Hanzlickova challenges asking for four points but to no avail and Nisha will wrestle for a spot for the Paris Olympics.

15:30: Khulan BATKHUYAG (MGL) chalks up an impressive 6-1 victory over three-time Olympian Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) to make the qualification match at 53kg. Batkhuyag fights off a whizzer for a takedown, then scores a stepout with a fleeing point tacked on to lead 4-1 at the break. In the second period, Batkhuyag shucks Prevolaraki by for another takedown, then keeps the Greek from ever launching an effective attack. She will face Yetgil for the Olympic spot.

15:21: Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) scores all of her points in a quick span of the first period and moves one win away from an Olympic berth at 53kg by beating Jowita WRZESIEN (POL) 7-0. With Wrzesien on the activity clock, Yetgil spins behind for a takedown and immediately locks an arm, then adds a pair of rolls. 

15:20: Mariya STADNIK (AZE) is so brutal! She manages to throw Viyaleta CHYRYK (AIN) for a five in her 11-0 win in just under three minutes to win 11-0 at 50kg

15:10: Davaanasan ENKH AMAR (MGL), a double Asian bronze medalist at 72kg, handles the extra weight and two-time Olympian and world medalist Samar HAMZA (EGY) with a 6-1 win at 76kg. After receiving an activity point, Enkh Amar stops a lateral drop attempt for 2 to go up 3-0. In the second period, Enkh Amar gains a takedown at the edge, with an additional point for an unsuccessful challenge added on.

15:03: Mariana DRAGUTAN (MDA) advances to the qualification match at 53kg with a tough 9-7 victory over Shokhida AKHMEDOVA (UZB). Dragutan trails 4-2 going into the second period but goes ahead with a low-single takedown, a driving takedown to the back, and an exposure.

14:47: In perhaps a sign of a changing of the guard, Pauline LECARPENTIER (FRA) scores a takedown in each period and knocks off the venerable Epp MAE (EST) 4-1 at 76kg.

14:44: A slimmed down Nesrin BAS (TUR) continues to thrill the home crowd, getting a pair of first-period takedowns in a 6-4 victory over Natalia KUBATY (POL) at 62kg. Bas won the European gold at 72kg, then moved down to the only weight class available to her because Turkiye had already qualified at 68kg and 76kg.

14:29: Four-time European medalist Kriszta INCZE (ROU) uses an inner thigh block for a 4-point takedown that puts her in position for a victory by fall at 62kg over Nachi MASUDA (AUS), a rare example of a native Japanese who switched nationality.

14:12: Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU) follows a 4-point whizzer throw by hitting Yelena SHALYGINA (KAZ) with a headlock throw for a fall at 68kg. Shalygina, a 2008 Olympic bronze medalist and three-time world medalist, famously returned to the sport in 2022 from a 10-year absence.

14:27: Johanna LINDBORG (SWE) was leading 5-0 before she pins Lais NUNES (BRA) in the 68kg 1/8 finals. Sweden is looking for its second Paris spot in women's wrestling. The one it has is at 53kg.

14:12: Three-time European bronze medalist Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE) advances at 68kg with a victory by fall at Tindra SJOEBERG (SWE). Hanzlickova is looking to get back to the Olympics after appearing at Rio 2016.

14:10:  Yaynelis SANZ (CUB) continues to establish herself as one to beat at 57kg, staying constantly on the attack and using a lightning-quick single leg to defeat Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Evelina NIKOLOVA (BUL) 15-4. Sanz builds up a 13-4 lead in the first period, then finishes it off with a takedown 20 seconds into the second.

14:03: Two-time Olympian Feng ZHOU (CHN) needs just 27 seconds to take down Ohyoung HA (KOR) and secure a fall at 68kg.

14:00: Sezim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) gets the takedown, then it's four quick rolls and she's a 10-0 winner in 27 seconds over Ester ABRAHAM (NAM) at 57kg.

13:59: Two-time European champion Alina AKOBIIA (UKR) stays on track for her first Olympic appearance at 57kg, building up a 7-0 lead before securing a fall over  Graciela SANCHEZ (ESP).

13:49: Miesinnei Mercy GENESIS (NGR) hangs on for an impressive 3-0 victory over 2022 world bronze medalist Anna LUKASIAK (POL) to advance at 50kg.

13:46: Superstar Mariya STADNIK (AZE), coming off a stunning loss at the European Olympic Qualifier as she shoots for an unprecedented fifth Olympic medal, starts with a one-sided 10-0 win over Meng Hsuan HSIEH (TPE) at 50kg.

13:43: Veteran two-time world bronze medalist Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) prevails for a nail-biting 6-5 victory at 53kg over Karla GODINEZ (CAN) that featured two challenges in the final 15 seconds. Both challenges came when Prevolaraki used a counter lift roll off a Godinez takedown attempt, and both resulted in each wrestler getting 2 points--which gave a relieved Prevolararki the win as she aims to appear in a third straight Olympics.

13:27: Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) scrapes by at 53kg with a 3-2 victory over Annika WENDLE (GER) that ended in a bit of chaos. Yetgil was leading 2-1 from a first-period takedown when Wendle launched a late takedown attempt that was interrupted by the mat chairman throwing the stuffed animal into the ring to get the mat referee's attention. The action was stopped before Wendle could be awarded points. The German side challenged, and when it was sorted out, Yetgil was assessed a 1-point penalty for grabbing fingers, and received a point for the lost challenge. The clock was reset to 10 seconds, but Wendle's last-ditch front headlock throw came just too late.

13:16: Tokyo Olympian Jowita WRZESIEN (POL) gets past Marina SEDNEVA (KAZ) with a fall at 53kg with 25 seconds left. Wrzesien takes a 5-0 lead into the second period, when she scores a takedown to the back before securing the fall.  She will face the winner of Annika WENDLE(GER)-Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) currently underway on the adjacent mat.

12:59: In a clash of wrestlers who recently won bronze medals at 55kg at their respective continental championships, Mariana DRAGUTAN (MDA) pours it on in the second period and advances at 53kg with an 11-1 win over Aruuke KADYRBEK KYZY (KGZ). Down 1-0 going into the second period and with Kadyrbek Kyzy on the activity clock, Dragutan scores a counter takedown and gut wrench, then gets another takedown which she tops off with two rolls.

12:41: Yuliana YANEVA (BUL), moving up to the heaviest weight of 76kg after medaling at the last four European Championships at either 68kg or 72kg, wins a barn-burner 7-5 over Martina KUENZ (AUT). Yaneva falls behind on criteria 3-3 when she gives up a stepout with 56 seconds left, but comes back with a 4-point takedown with :33 to go, then holds on for the win.

12:27: The randomness of the draw put two of the most decorated wrestlers in the tournament against each other, as Epp MAE (EST) and Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ) meet in the first round at 76kg. Both are 32, and both are looking to appear in a third straight Olympics. It is the four-time world medalist Mae who comes out on top, getting an activity point and stepout in the second period for a 2-1 win. Syzdykova came into Istanbul after winning her eighth career Asian medal.

12:22: 72kg U23 world champion Nesrin BAS (TUR), almost forced to go down to 62kg in a bid to be at the Olympics, begins his road to Paris with a 6-1 win over Ameline DOUARRE (FRA).

12:19: Former world 59kg champion Linda MORAIS (CAN), looking to bounce back from a stunning loss at the Pan American Qualifier, starts her quest at 68kg by putting away Danute DOMIKAITYTE (LTU) 10-0.    

12:13: In a battle of three-time European medalists, Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU) gets a takedown in each period to defeat Dalma CANEVA (ITA)  5-1 at 68kg.

12:10: Tokyo Olympian Elis MANOLOVA (AZE) drops her first bout at 68kg 10-2 against Nicoll PARRADO (COL). Manolova never had similar results in the new weight class after she moved to it from 62kg

11:50: Anna LUKASIAK (POL), a 2022 world bronze medalist, advances at 50kg with a 10-0 rout of Marina KARAPANAGIOTIDOU (GRE).

11:49: Alina AKOBIIA (UKR), looking to add an Olympic medal to a world bronze and two European golds, starts her quest for Paris at 57kg with a victory by fall over In Sun JONG (PRK). With Akobiia leading 3-1 in the second period, Song gets treatment on a heavily taped right knee, then takes a shot that Akobiia counters with a cradle for 2 and apparent fall. A meeting of the judges after the action stopped would indeed confirm it was a fall.  

11:28: Son Hyang KIM (PRK), a world bronze medalist in 2017 who returned to the global stage to win a silver medal at last September's Asian Games, but suffered a close first-round loss at last month's Asian Olympic Qualifier, avoids any mistakes in a 6-0 victory over  Julie Martine SABATIE (FRA) at 50kg.

11:10: Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) thrills the home crowd with a 7-0 win over Maria BAEZ (ESP) at 53kg. Turkiye has qualified for three weight classes but is looking for three more from this tournament.

11:05: In a doozy on Mat C, Laura HERIN AVILA (CUB) scores a stepout with 22 seconds left to finish up a wild 18-8 win at 53kg over two-time world U20 bronze medalist Gultakin SHIRINOVA (AZE). 

11:03: Mariana DRAGUTAN (MDA), a 2023 world bronze medalist at 55kg, begins her quest for an Olympic spot at 53kg by using a reverse pancaked to build up an 8-0 lead over Oleksandra KOGUT (AUT). Kogut fights back for a takedown and turn, but Dragutan holds on to walk off an 8-4 winner.

10:53: With the Greco repechage matches finished on Mat B, Zineb ECH CHABKI (MAR)  starts the women's competition with a nicely timed 4-point headlock throw against Irena BINKOVA (BUL) at 53kg. But Binkova comes back with a takedown to cut the gap. In the second period, Binkova again gets a takedown, then follows it up by bulling Ech Chabki over for a fall. 

10:00: We will start the day with Greco-Roman repechage bouts. The winners will go into the second round of repechage and then the bronze-medal bouts in the evening.