To Our Friends in Wrestling Around the world
                    

By William May
(Japan Amateur Wrestling Federation, Public Information Committee
wmay52@hotmail.com


DUGRENIER REACHES THE TOP AT 67kg AT WOMEN’S WORLD C’SHIPS


TOKYO (October 11) – Martine Dugrenier (CAN) overpowered local favorite Mami Shinkai (JPN) to win the 67kg category at the women’s world championships after three straight years of taking the silver medal.

Dugrenier used a strong single-leg attack and ankle turn in both periods to wrap up Shinkai at Yoyogi National Gymnasium for a 4-0, 4-1 victory in the championship final. Dugrenier was the runner-up for three straight years at 67kg from 2005, losing each year to a wrestler from China. The 29-year-old dropped to 63kg for the Beijing Olympic Games in August and finished fifth after a loss to eventual gold medalist Kaori Icho (JPN) in the closing seconds of the semifinals.

Shinkai, meanwhile, was trying to become Japan’s first world champion at 67kg, but the former junior world champion could not match the power of Dugrenier and had to settle for the silver medal.

In the semifinals, Dugrenier dropped the first period to former world champion Kateryna Burmistrova (UKR) but rebounded for a convincing win 0-3, 3-0, 2-0.

Meanwhile, in a repeat of the championship final at the Asian championships in March, Shinkai edged junior world runner-up Nasanburmaa Ochirbat (MGL) 3-1, 3-1.

In the bronze medal matches, Burmistrova (UKR) fashioned a 3-0, 2-0 win over Sumun Kundu (IND), second in this year’s Asia junior meet. Nasanburmaa scored a late takedown in the first period and again from the clinch in the second to win 1-0, 1-0 over Ulia Borinovskai (RUS).

In an early upset, Nasanburmaa handed two-time former world champion Lise Golliot-Legrand (FRA) a 3-1, 3-1 loss.

American newcomer Elena Pirozkhov (USA) also dealt two-time world bronze medalist Monika Michalik (POL) an unexpected loss 3-0, 0-1, 1-0 in the first round.