#WrestleTokyo

#WrestleTokyo Day Five Preview

By Eric Olanowski

 

Here are the biggest storylines to follow heading into the fifth day of action in Tokyo:

- 74kg to feature two-time world champs Frank CHAMIZO ??, Kyle DAKE ?? and Zaurbek SIDAKOV (ROC)
- Potential matchup between Olympic champ Taha AKGUL ??and rising star Gable STEVESON ?? in the second round at 125kg
- No. 1 seed Vinesh PHOGAT ?? and world champ Sofia MATTSSON ??will collide for the first time since their '19 world c'ship opening-round match.

#WrestleTokyo ?‍♀️ action starts at 11:00am (local time ??).
 

#USAWrestling

Paris Olympic champ Hildebrandt announces retirement

By Vinay Siwach

COLRADO, United States (February 17) -- Olympic champion Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA) has announced her retirement from wrestling.

The 31-year-old won gold in Women's Wrestling 50kg at the 2024 Paris Olympics and is also a bronze medalist from the Tokyo Olympics. At the World Championships, Hildebrandt won two silver (2018, 2021) and two bronze medals (2022, 2023).

Her decision was accompanied with an announcement from USA Wrestling that Hildebrandt will be joining as the assistant coach for Women's Wrestling with senior women's team.

“I have had a really long career and I’ve gotten the experience of what wrestling has taught me," Hildebrandt said. "It has made me so passionate about what this sport can do for people. If I can bring a passion and energy in support of their journey, kind of a door handle to open up their own adventure, that is exciting to me. Wrestling has given me so much. The sport has taught me everything about myself and helped me grow as a woman."

Hildebrandt made her debut at the U20 World Championships in 2010 at 55kg and remained a 53-55kg wrestler for long. At the 2019 World Championships, Hildebrandt failed to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics at 53kg and made the move to 50kg and qualified.

She went on to have one of most successful careers at 50kg, becoming the fourth Olympic champion for the United States in Women's Wrestling. She is only the second wrestler to win multiple medals at the Olympics for the U.S. after Helen MAROULIS (USA), who has three.

More to follow