The Sports Examiner

WRESTLING: U.S. claims silver (to Japan) in annual Women’s World Cup

Five-time World Champion Adeline Gray of the U.S. (Photo: UWW)

It was going to be an uphill battle, but the U.S. made a good showing in the United World Wrestling Women’s World Cup, the annual dual-meet tournament among the top teams in the world.

The favorite was always Japan, which had won 10 of the prior 17 editions of the event, and came out on top again, defeating the U.S., 7-3, in the final.

After finishing fourth three times in a row, the U.S. won both of its group matches, romping past Russia, 8-2 and Mongolia by 6-4. In Group A, Japan cruised past Ukraine and then managed to get past China, 6-4.

In the championship final, all three of the American World Champions won their matches – Jacarra Winchester (55 kg), Tamyra Mensah-Stock (68 kg) and Adeline Gray (76 kg) – but that was it. Four of Japan’s wins in the other weights was by 10-0 or 11-0, by current or former World Champions Yui Sasaki (50 kg), Haruna Okuno (53 kg) and Risako Kawai (57 kg), plus Yuzuka Inagaki (59 kg).

However, the U.S. won its sixth medal in the 18 editions of this event, and fourth silver, its first medal-winning performance since 2011.

In the third-place match, China defeated Mongolia, 7-3, and Ukraine and Russia tied 5-5, but Ukraine was awarded the match on criteria. Summary:

UWW Women’s World Cup
Tokyo (JPN) ~ 16-17 November 2019
(Full results here)

Final Standings: 1. Japan; 2. United States; 3. China; 4. Mongolia; 5. Ukraine; 6. Russia. Final-match scores: Gold: Japan d. U.S., 7-3; Bronze: China d. Mongolia, 7-3. Fifth: Ukraine d. Russia, 5-5 (criteria).

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