#Trnava2018

Steveson Still Improving After Three World Titles

Friday, September 21, 2018 - 09:32 By Eric Olanowski

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TRNAVA, Slovakia (September 21) - It’s hard to believe that Gable STEVESON (USA) is still improving after winning three world titles, but he stood outside Trnava’s City Sports Hall and said it’s possible. 

“I’m stronger, quicker and my endurance is better than ever, but I’m still growing," said Steveson. “I look at myself as the second-place guy, and that’s how I’m approaching every practice. Even though I’ve reached the top, I still train like I’m behind somebody.” 

With two years of junior eligibility left, Steveson’s comes to Slovakia chasing his fourth age-level world title. 

No doubt that he enters the 2018 Junior World Championships with a target on his back and he knows it. “I love having the target on my back. A lot of people have tried to hit the target, but as of right now, everyone has missed.” 

Gable STEVESON (USA) carries the American flag after winning the 2017 junior world title. (Photo by Marion Stein) 

The 18-year-old will wrestle Saturday, with the potential to wrestle in Sunday night's 125kg gold-medal bout, in what may be his last age-level match ever. 

“I’m shooting for six (world titles), but with Tokyo 2020 right around the corner, I plan on bumping up to the senior-level next year and making USA's world team,” said Steveson. "I’m always looking ahead, and looking ahead means the 2020 Olympic Games. That’s a big goal for me, an Olympic gold." 

Ending, on Wednesday night, Steveson stood behind the entry tunnel and watched Russia’s Aleksanr KOMAROV win his fourth age-level world title. But that didn’t change Steveson’s mind as to who's the most dominant age-level wrestler in the world. When asked his thoughts regarding who holds the No. 1 spot for world dominance, Steveson’s gave a one-word answer, “Me.” 

Larroque Cruises to Semifinals, Russia and Japan Insert Four

Thursday, September 20, 2018 - 12:37 By Eric Olanowski

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TRNAVA, Slovakia (September 20) - Koumba LARROQUE (FRA), the three-time age level world champion cruised to the 72kg junior world semifinals for the second time in her career. This is Larroque's second time competing in the Junior World Championships. Her first trip was back in 2016 when she brought home the gold medal.

Larroque wrestled Karuna KARUNA (IND) in the opening round and finished the match early, outscoring the Indian wrestler 10-0 in the opening period. The French superstar dominated Kamila KULWICKA (POL), 10-0, making tonight’s semifinals where she’ll meet Anastasiya ZIMIANKOVA (BLR).

This semifinals matchup is a rematch of the 2018 U23 European championship gold-medal bout. A match that Larroque used three stepouts and a passivity point to win, 4-0. 

Umi IMAI (JPN) finishes a leg-lace in her quarterfinals matchup against Russia. Photo by Max Rose-Fyne. 

Meanwhile, Japan and Russia each inserted four wrestlers into tonight’s semifinals. More importantly, they’ll meet each other in two of those semifinal bouts. 

At 53kg, 2018 junior Asian champion Umi IMAI (JPN) will wrestle Mariia TIUMEREKOVA (RUS), and 2016 cadet world champion Atena KODAMA (JPN) will take on 2018 junior European bronze medalist Daria BOBRULKO (RUS) for a spot in the 62kg finals. 

The semifinals will begin at 17:15 and will be followed by the women's wrestling finals which begin at 18:00. 

SEMIFINALS 

53kg 
Umi IMAI (JPN) vs. Mariia TIUMEREKOVA (RUS) 
Alisha Sue HOWK (USA) vs. Aktenge KEUNIMJAEVA (UZB)

57kg
Andoriahanako SAWA (JPN) vs. Mansi MANSI (IND) 
Qi ZHANG (CHN) vs. Viktoriia VAULINA (RUS)

62kg
Aurora CAMPAGNA (ITA) vs. Nabira ESENBAEVA (UZB) 
Atena KODAMA (JPN) vs. Daria BOBRULKO (RUS)

65kg
Asli DEMIR (TUR) vs. Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL) 
Miyu IMAI (JPN) vs. Veranika EISMANT (BLR)

72kg
Koumba Selene Fanta LARROQUE (FRA) vs. Fanwen SHEN (CHN) 
Evgeniia ZAKHARCHENKO (RUS) vs. Anastasiya ZIMIANKOVA (BLR)