#WrestleOslo

#TBT: Mensah-Stock Stops Oborududu in 68kg Olympic Finals

Thursday, September 23, 2021 - 12:10 By Eric Olanowski

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Tamyra MENSAH-STOCK ?? cruised to a three-point win over Blessing OBORUDUDU ?? in the 68kg finals and became the first black woman to win Olympic gold. After her win in Tokyo, Mensah-Stock owns the 3-0 match-advantage over Oborududu heading into the ’21 World Championships ?? (October 2-10).

But, similar to the Tokyo Olympics, Mensah-Stock and Oborududu are seeded first and second, respectively, and if the seeds hold true, the pair of rivals could meet on October 7 with world gold on the line.

Mensah-Stocks wins over Oborududu:
- ’18 Beat the Streets (2-1)
- ’19 World Championships (6-1)
- ’20 Matteo Pellicone (3-1)
- ’21 Tokyo Olympics (4-1)

#UWWAwards

'21 Breakthrough Performances of the Year: Geraei, Zare and Focken

Tuesday, December 7, 2021 - 12:23 By Eric Olanowski

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CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (December 7) -- Mohammadreza GERAEI (IRI), Amir ZARE (IRI) and Aline FOCKEN (GER) have been named United World Wrestling’s Breakthrough Performance of the Year award winners.

Geraei came into 2021 without having a world or Olympic medal on his resume. The 25-year-old, known as ‘The Iceman,’ defied all expectations and claimed Olympic gold in Tokyo and closed out his improbable ’21 campaign with a world-title run in Oslo.

Zare, at just 20-year-old, had a colossal year. He collected an Olympic bronze medal in Tokyo before upsetting three-time world champ Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) and Olympic gold medalist Taha AKGUL (TUR) en route to gaining heavyweight supremacy at the Oslo World Championships.

Aline Focken picked the perfect time to retire. After missing out on the ’12 London Olympic Games and a ninth-place outing in Rio, the 12-year-veteran ended her career with an upset victory over five-time world champion Adeline GRAY (USA) in the 76kg Olympic finals.