Discussing Olympic champ Wiebe defeating three-time world champ Gray and Mattsson's return. Also taking a look at Fix making his third Junior World team and much more!
1. Olympic Champ Wiebe Defeats Three-time World Champ Gray
Erica WIEBE (CAN), the 2016 Olympic champion defeated three-time world champion Adeline GRAY (USA), 6-5, seizing the 76kg Spanish Grand Prix title.
Though these two were in the same bracket at the first Ranking Series event of the year, the Klippan Lady Open, they did not meet as Wiebe was “knocked off” by reigning world champion Yasemin ADAR (TUR) in the opening round. Gray went on to claim the gold medal, defeating Adar, 9-6.
Assuming 2018 European champion Adar makes Turkey’s world squad, with its combined five world and Olympic titles from Adar, Gray, and Wiebe, 76kg may be the deepest weight class of the tournament.
Sofia MATTSSON (SWE), Olympic bronze medalist made her return last weekend and claimed the Spanish Grand Prix title. (Photo by Gabor Martin)
2. Mattsson Makes Return, Wins Spanish Grand Prix
Sofia MATTSSON (SWE), who gave birth in November made her international return after an 18-month layoff, winning the 55kg Spanish Grand Prix gold medal.
“The toughest part (about the layoff) has been the struggle to adjust my life to new routines and realize that my life has changed forever….But, I can still be an elite wrestler, I just need to do it in a different way.”
Since grabbing the bronze medal at the Rio Olympic Games, Mattsson's only competition was the 2017 Indian Pro League. The seven-time world and Olympic medalist made her return this weekend and capped off her gold medal run by beating Marina SEDNEVA (KAZ), grabbing her first gold medal since the 2016 European Championships.
“Of course I was nervous stepping out on the mat. Normally when I compete, I expect a lot from myself. But this week, I went here without any expectations and was just happy to be back on the mat to get a couple of matches. With these thoughts in my head, I think it gave me a very relaxed and positive mindset which worked out in a very good way!”
3. Reigning World Champion Fix makes Third Consecutive World Team
Daton FIX (USA), the reigning junior world champion stormed through Brandon COURTNEY (USA) in two straight matches of the special wrestle-off to lock up his third consecutive Junior World team spot.
Fix, the two-time junior world medalist is coming off a Final X second-place finish after losing to 2017 world runner-up, Thomas GILMAN (USA). USA Wrestling said Fix was awarded a special wrestle-off “Because Fix is a returning World Team member, placed top-three at the Senior U.S. Open and earned a spot in Final X, he was afforded the opportunity for a delayed wrestle-off for the world team spot.”
4. India Set to Host Asian Junior Championships July 17-22
The I.G. Sports Complex in New Delhi, India is set to host the 2018 Junior Asian Championships starting on July 17.
This is the second junior continental championship (Junior African Championships) but is the first of three that will take place over the next month.
The Junior European Championships begin July 30 and will be followed by the Junior Pan-American Championships which take place August 17-19.
Turkey's Olympic champion, Taha AKGUL (TUR). (Photo by Max Rose-Fyne)
5. Yasar Dogu, the Third Freestyle Ranking Series Event Begins Next Weekend
Istanbul, Turkey is set to host the 46th Annual Yasar Dogu International on July 27-29.
On June 8, United World Wrestling announced that the tournament has been named a Ranking Series event in men’s freestyle wrestling after the South African Open was canceled due to a lack of early sign-ups.
Weekly FIVE! In Social Media
1. 🏹 🏹 🏹 🏹 🏹
2. It takes SIX full minutes. #kaspeuro2018
3. Lots of great training and fun at the 2018 More Than Medals training camp here in Zagreb, Croatia 🇭🇷.
#unitedworldwrestling #wrestling#trainingcamp #fitness #uww
4. Inside look at Team Iran 🇮🇷 training! Notice anything about the colors of the five circles around the mats? نگاهی به کمپ تمرینی ایران. به رنگ پنج دایره تشکهای کشتی دقت کرده اید؟
5. We’re 98 days out from the #Budapest2018 World Championships. We highlight today with this memorable throw from reigning 98kg world champion, Artur ALEKSANYAN 🇦🇲.
