KLIPPAN, Sweden (February 28) - The Kingdom of Sweden, home of majestic mountain peaks, placid blue waters, and picturesque hamlets will this weekend play host to some of the fiercest female wrestlers on the plane.
The Klippan Ladies Open takes place in the small town with a population of only 8000 tucked away the southern tip of the Scandinavian nation. All told over 40 world ranked wrestlers from four continents have travelled to Klippan to take the mat in one of the year’s premier wrestling tournaments.
The 2014 Klippan features world-class competition at all eight weight classes, including some of the most decorated competitors from some of the world’s most powerful women’s wrestling nations. This year's tournament features noted stars from the far east of Europe with Russian and Azerbaijani contingents boasting decorated wrestlers like No. 2 Mariya STADNYK (AZE) at 48 kg, No. 6 Valeria CHEPSARAKOVA (RUS) at 48 kg, No. 2 Yulia RATKEVICH (AZE), No. 6 Svetlana LIPATOVA (RUS) at 53 kg and No.3 Svetlana LIPATOVA (RUS) at 60 kg.
Arriving from the opposite end of the globe are strong sides from the North American nations of Canada and the USA. These two top women’s wrestling countries bring a host of top-ten wrestlers including No. 4 Alyssa LAMPE (USA) at 48kg, No. 3 Helen MAROULIS (USA) at 55 kg, No. 6 Braxton STONE (CAN) at 58 kg and No. 3 Erica WIEBE (CAN) at 75 kg.
While decorated competitors come to Klippan from far and wide, the host nation, Sweden, sports an impressive roster of its own. Leading the charge for the Swedes will be No. 2 Sofia MATTSSON (SWE) at 55 kg and No. 9 Henna JOHANSSON (SWE) at 63 kg. They join strong teams from Italy and Hungary, all hoping to see their wrestlers bring home gold.
The event takes place on Saturday and Sunday, and fans can watch the action on a live web stream.
Klippan Open Schedule
Saturday, March 1
13:00 – Elimination rounds
17:00 – Finals, Awards ceremonies
Sunday, March 2
10:00 – Elimination rounds
13:00 – Finals, Awards ceremonies
Livestream Links
The web broadcast of the tournament appears at the following address for the weekend.
https://new.livestream.com/accounts/5108687/events/2716001
https://new.livestream.com/accounts/5108687/events/2716027
48 kg -- World No. 2 Mariya STADNYK (AZE) enters this weight as the favorite. The Azerbaijani star will encounter stiff opposition in a couple of rock-solid Russians, world No. 6 Valeria CHEPSARAKOVA (RUS) and world No. 10 Nadeshda FEDOROVA (RUS).
Three dangerous Americans also contend for medals at this weight in world No. 4 Alyssa LAMPE (USA), world No. 19 Erin GOLSTON (USA) and 2012 Olympic bronze medalist Clarissa CHUN (USA). The No. 18 and 20 wrestlers in the world, Jasmine MIAN (CAN) and Lenka MATEJOVA (SVK) make 48 kg into one of Klippan’s most talent rich divisions
53 kg -- This weight is a three-horse race between a trio of top-ten wrestlers. Maria GUROVA (RUS) claims the highest world ranking in the 53 kg class at 6. The Russian needs to take care, as world No. 6 Tatiana DEBIEN (FRA) and world No. 8 Katarzyna KRAWCZYK (POL) both have what it takes to upset the GUROVA and claim the gold.
55 kg -- Swedish superstar Sofia MATTSSON (SWE), ranked No. 2 in the world, looks to delight her host nation fans with a Klippan gold medal. The reigning World Championship runner up faces tough challenges in world No. 9 Irina OLOGONOVA (RUS), and world No. 20 and African Champion Marwa AMRI (TUN). Also at this weight, the United States send two wrestlers up from a lighter classification. Past World silver medalist Helen MAROULIS (USA) and Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA) enter the fray ranked No. 3 and No. 19 at 53 kg, respectively.
58 kg -- Yet another second ranked wrestler graces this tournament in Yulia RATKEVICH (AZE). The Azerbaijani must beat out a quartet of talented North American adversaries to claim gold. Canada brings world No. 6 Braxton STONE (CAN) and world No. 19 Jasmine BARKER (CAN) to Klippan, while the USA feautures world No. 12 Allison RAGAN (USA) and world No. 14 Kelsey CAMPBELL (USA).
Meanwhile, Italy also fields world No. 17 Carola RAINERO (ITA), a potential challenger in this division
60 kg -- The 60kg gold medal should go to the winner of the match between two top Russians, third ranked Svetlana LIPATOVA (RUS) and fourth ranked Zhargalma TSYRENOVA (RUS). However, neither should look past world No. 7 Ramona GALAMBOS (HUN), who has shown the ability to beat anyone in the world. Additionally, World No. 18 Deanna BETTERMAN (USA) adds serious depth to this classification.
63 kg -- The exciting second ranked Anastasija GRIGORJEVA (LAT) brings her spectacular skills to 63 kg. The Latvian throw queen‘s biggest challenge come from the host nation’s Henna JOHANSSON (SWE), ranked No. 9 in the world. World No. 10 Inna TRAZHUKOVA (RUS) and world No. 15 Danielle LAPPAGE (CAN) also look like solid bets to make the podium.
69 kg -- The highest ranked wrestlers at this stacked and wide-open weight are world No. 7 Aline FOCKEN (GER) and No. 8 Dorothy YEATS (CAN). Two other quality European wrestlers, world no. 18 Dalma CANEVA (ITA) and world No. 11 Darima SANZHEEVA (RUS), join the Focken and Yeats as medal threats.
Three rugged Americans round out this division, as world No. 13 Randi MILLER (USA), world No. 15 Veronica CARLSON (USA) and world No. 19 Julia SALATA (USA) join the action.
75 kg -- Canada’s highest ranked wrestler at Klippan, third ranked Erica WIEBE (CAN), appears poised to win the 75kg title. World No. 8 Ekaterina BUKINA (RUS), world No. 11 Zsanett NEMETH (HUN) and world No. 13 Sabira ALIEVA (AZE) travel northwest to vie for gold as well. Meanwhile, world No. 18 Epp MAE (EST) travels across the Baltic in search of a Klippan medal to call her own.
