News Page
U.S. women win four of five bouts in first session of Olympic wrestling; Miranda wins twice, McMann and O'Donnell get pins
8/22/2004
Gary Abbott/USA Wrestling
The United States won four of their five bouts in the first session of women’s freestyle wrestling at the Ano Liossia Olympic Hall in Athens, Greece, Sunday, August 22.
Women’s wrestling is the newest sport in the Summer Olympic Games, and this was a historic day for the sport.
The United States opened with an impressive start, when 2003 World silver medalist Sara McMann (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) pinned 2001 World Champion Lili Meng of China in the first period at 63 kg/138.75 lbs., at 2:01
McMann scored the first two points with a tilt from the mat after Meng was hit with a passivity call. With the athletes back on their feet, McMann countered a Meng attack, stepping over and putting Meng to her back. McMann pressed down and scored the fall.
It was the first pin in the history of women’s wrestling in the Olympic Games, one of the many milestones that will be set
The other athlete in McMann’s pool draw is Canada’s Viola Yanik, a 2003 World bronze medalist, who she will face in the 5:30 p.m. session on Sunday.
The U.S. won their next two matches that were held at the same time on the mats. Patricia Miranda (Colorado Springs, Colo./Dave Schultz WC) at 48 kg/105.5 lbs. and Tela O’Donnell (Colorado Springs, Colo./Dave Schultz WC) at 55 kg/121 lbs. scored opening wins in very exciting bouts.
In her opening bout, Miranda stopped 2003 World bronze medalist Li Hui of China, 8-5. The first period was very close, with Miranda scoring late in the period to take a 5-4 lead at the break. In the second period, Miranda was able to turn Hui for exposure points and win the match.
Miranda is in a pool of four athletes, so she had another match later in the morning session.
O’Donnell started slowly against 1996 World champion Olga Smirnova of Russia, falling behind 5-0 after the first period. In the second period, O’Donnell scored a crotch lift counter from her feet, and caught Smirnova on her back, scoring a pin in 4:26.
The other athlete in O’Donnell’s pool is Tonya Verbeek of Canada, an athlete who defeated O’Donnell at the 2004 Titan Games in Atlanta, Ga. in June. They will compete during the 5:30 p.m. session on Sunday.
The United States dropped its first match of the day when five-time World Champion Kyoko Hamaguchi of Japan stopped two-time World silver medalist Toccara Montgomery (Cleveland, Ohio/New York AC), 8-4 at 72 kg/158.5 lbs. It was a rematch of the 2003 World Championships finals, won by Hamaguchi.
Hamaguchi scored first and led the entire bout. Hamaguchi was able to turn Montgomery early in the match for exposure points. After the first period, Hamaguchi’s lead was 5-2. Although Montgomery scored some takedowns in the second period, Hamaguchi continued to score from her feet as well and added three more second-period points for the 8-5 win.
The other athlete in Montgomery’s pool draw is Stanka Zlateva of Bulgaria, who Montgomery will face in the 5:30 p.m. session
The final U.S. match of the session was a 7-3 victory by Miranda over Lorisa Oorzhak of Russia at 48 kg/105.5 lbs.
Oorzhak opened the match with a 2-0 lead after the first period, but Miranda came back strong in the second period. After a takedown to close the score to 2-1, Miranda was able to turn Oorzhak twice from the top. She received two points for exposure and an additional backpoint for holding Oorzhak on her back, getting three points out of each move for a 7-2 lead. A late Oorzhak takedown ended the match at 7-3.
Miranda still has one more match left in her pool. She will face Mayelis Caripa of Venezuela in the 5:30 p.m. session.
The weight classes were broken into four pools, based upon a blind draw with no seeding. An athlete must win their pool in order to advance to the medal rounds.
There will be a fifth-place match at each weight class, so the athletes who are second in their pools enter a repechage, but are not eligible to claim a medal.
All four U.S. wrestlers will compete in the second session of Sunday’s action at 5:30 p.m. This round will determine which athletes will advance to Monday’s semifinals.
A total of 50 wrestlers weighed in for the first Olympic Games women’s wrestling tournament in history.
U.S. first session match results, Sunday, August 22 at 9:30 a.m.
48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Patricia Miranda (USA) dec. Li Hui (China), 8-5
48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Patricia Miranda (USA) dec. Lorisa Oorzhak (Russia), 7-3
55 kg/121 lbs. - Tela O’Donnell (USA) pin Olga Smirnova (Russia), 4:26
63 kg/138.75 lbs. - Sara McMann (USA) pin Lili Meng (China), 2:01
72 kg/158.5 lbs. - Kyoko Hamaguchi (Japan) dec. Toccara Montgomery (USA), 8-4
U.S. second session pairings, Sunday, August 22 at 5:30 p.m.
48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Patricia Miranda (USA) vs. Mayelis Caripa (Venezuela)
55 kg/121 lbs. - Tela O’Donnell (USA) vs. Tonya Verbeek (Canada)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. - Sara McMann (USA) vs. Viola Yanik (Canada)
72 kg/158.5 lbs. - Toccara Montgomery (USA) vs. Stanka Zlateva (Bulgaria)
Complete pairings of each weight class can be found at www.themat.com or at www.usocpressbox.org.
--------------------------------------------------
2004 Olympic Games
Women's Freestyle Team USA
Real-Time Match Results
Real-Time Results - Toccara Montgomery (72KG)
Meredith Wilson/USA Wrestling
Qualification for 5th Place Match
Toccara Montgomery (United States) v. Christine Nordhagen (Canada)
**Qualification and Semifinals matches will be held during the 9:30 a.m. session
Aug. 23.
Round 1 - Pool Competition
Kyoko Hamaguchi (Japan) dec. Toccara Montgomery (United States), 8-4
First Period
At :11 Hamaguchi takedown, 2pt gut, 3-0 Hamaguchi
At 2:13 Montgomery takedown, Hamaguchi 2pt counter, 5-1 Hamaguchi
At 2:59 Montgomery takedown, 5-2 Hamaguchi
Second Period
At 3:07 Hamaguchi takedown, 6-2 Hamaguchi
At 2:42 Hamaguchi takedown, 7-2 Hamaguchi
At 4:28 Montgomery takedown, 7-3 Hamaguchi
At 5:02 Montgomery takedown, 7-4 Hamaguchi
At 5:44 Hamaguchi takedown, 8-4 Hamaguchi
Round 2 - Pool Competition
Toccara Montgomery (United States) BYE
Round 3 - Pool Competition
Toccara Montgomery (United States) fall Stanka Hristova (Bulgaria), 3:18
First Period
At :25 Hristova takedown and exposure, 2-0 Hristova
At 1:43 Hristova takedown, 3-0 Hristova
At 2:11 Hristova 2pt exposure, 5-0 Hristova
Second Period
At 3:09 Montgomery takedown to back fall at 3:18
------------------------------------------------
Real-Time Results - Sara McMann (63KG)
Meredith Wilson/USA Wrestling
Semifinals
Sara McMann (United States) v. Stavroula Zigouri (Greece)
**Qualification and Semifinals matches will be held during the 9:30 a.m. session Aug. 23.
Round 1 - Pool Competition
Sara McMann (United States) fall Lili Meng (China), 2:01
First Period
At 1:05 Meng passive, McMann 2pt gut, 2-0 McMann
Art 1:56 McMan takedown to back fall at 2:01
Round 2 - Pool Competition
Sara McMann (United States) BYE
Round 3 - Pool Competition
Viola Yanik (Canada) dec. Sara McMann (United States), 5-2
First Period
At :33 Yanik doubleleg takedown to back, 3-0 Yanik
At 1:24 Yanik takedown, 4-0 Yanik
At 2:21 Yanik takedown, 5-0 Yanik
Second Period
At 3:11 McMann singleleg takedown, 5-1 Yanik
At 4:49 McMann takedown, 5-2 Yanik
----------------------------------------------------
Real-Time Results - Tela O'Donnell (55KG)
Meredith Wilson/USA Wrestling
Qualification for 5th Place Match
Tela O’Donnell (United States) v. Mabel Fonseca (Puerto Rico)
**Qualification and Semifinals matches will be held during the 9:30 a.m. session
Aug. 23.
Round 1 - Pool Competition
Tela O’Donnell (United States) fall Olga Smirnova (Russia), 4:26
First Period
At :28 Smirnova takedown, 1-0 Smirnova
At 1:36 Smirnova spin behind takedown, 2-0 Smirnova
At 2:11 Smirnova double-leg takedown, 3-0 Smirnova
At 2:53 Smirnova takedown to 2pt exposure, 5-0 Smirnova
Second Period
At 4:22 O'Donnell 2pt crotch lift to back, fall at 4:26
Round 2 - Pool Competition
Tonya Verbeek (Canada) tech fall Tela O’Donnell (United States), 11-1 at 5:18
First Period
At :23 Verbeek takedown, 1-0 Verbeek
At :33 Verbeek takedow, 2-0 Verbeek
At 1:41 Verbeek 2pt exposure, O'Donnell reversal 1, 4-1 Verbeek
Second Period
At 3:17 Verbeek singleleg to back, 2+1pt, 2pt anklelace, 9-1 Verbeek
At 4:24 Verbeek takedown, 10-1 Verbeek
At 5:18 Verbeek takedown, 11-1 at 5:18
Round 3 - Pool Competition
Tela O’Donnell (United States) v. BYE
-----------------------------------------------------------
Real-Time Results - Patricia Miranda (48KG)
Meredith Wilson/USA Wrestling
Semifinals
Patricia Miranda (United States) v. Irini Merlini (Ukraine)
**Qualification and Semifinals matches will be held during the 9:30 a.m. session Aug. 23.
Round 1 - Pool Competition
Patricia Miranda (United States) dec. Li Hui (China), 8-5
First Period
At :49 Miranda 2pt turn, Hui 2pt counter exposure, 2-2
At 1:19 Hui 2pt gut, 4-2 Hui
At 2:32 Miranda takedown, 2+1 exposure 5-4
Second Period
At 3:09 Hui takedown, 5-5
At 4:39 Miranda takedown, 2pt exposure, 8-5 Miranda
Round 2 - Pool Competition
Patricia Miranda (United States) dec. Larisa Oorzhak (Russia), 7-3
First Period
At 1:01 Oorzhak duckunder takedown, 1-0 Oorzhak
At 2:03 Oorzhak passive, no scoring
At 2:58 Oorzhak duckunder takedown, 2-0 Oorzhak
Second Period
At 3:31 Miranda takedown, 2-1 Oorzhak
At 4:03 Miranda 2+1 tilt, 4-2 Miranda
At 4:35 2+1 tilt, 7-2 Miranda
At 5:32 Oorzhak singleleg takedown, 7-3 Miranda
Round 3 - Pool Competition
Patricia Miranda (United States) tech fall Caripa Mayelis (Venezuela), 11-1 at 4:55
First Period
At :55 Miranda takedown, 1-0 Miranda
At 1:43 Mayelis takedown, 1-1
At 2:41 Miranda takedown 2pt tilt, 4-1 Miranda
Second Period
At 3:17 Miranda 2pt exposure, 6-1 Miranda
At 4:19 Miranda takedown, 2pt exposure, 9-1 Miranda
At 4:55 Miranda 2pt exposure, 11-1 at 4:55
--------------------------------------------------------------------
Women's freestyle Olympic Games Session 1 quotes
8/22/2004
John Fuller/USA Wrestling
48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Patricia Miranda, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Dave Schultz WC)
Did you need to loosen up during that first match?
“I don’t care if you can beat me half the time, but you’re not going to beat me today. With me, personally, I am that type of wrestler. Once a tournament starts and I get my first match out of the way, then I’ll be fine, so I am actually pretty happy with how it did go.”
Is this similar to a World Championships?
“It feels a lot like a World Championships. It just has that added weight and honor of having USA on your back, instead of just your club. You have fans cheering for you simply because they support your country, so it’s an added benefit. I know when I shake hands and I bow my head, I know that I’m doing a service to my country and not just myself.”
Talk about your opponents.
“China and Russia are good contenders. I knew they were going to be solid matches. They would probably go the whole distance, but I was going to keep a very aggressive mindset and try and attack anyway. It just helps my wrestling when I’m more offensive. It keeps me on my toes. It didn’t go perfectly, obviously, as I was down in both my matches. But it definitely made it exciting. And at every given moment I was thinking ‘I’m going to give you hell. You might score another point, but it’s going to wear you out and I’m going to come back tomorrow.’”
How much have you worked on coming back from behind?
“Being down in both my matches, that isn’t something that I think is something I expected, but it’s something that we have trained so much on for the past three months.”
Is your style of wrestling helpful in those types of matches?
“One way I would describe my wrestling is pressure, pressure, pressure and it’s a faith that they are going to break at some point. I knew that my top wrestling was very strong. I’m not above taking the opportunities that are given to me.”
55 kg/121 lbs. – Tela O’Donnell, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Dave Schultz WC)
Is that the way you draw it up,?
I don’t really plan on getting behind so I can try to come back and win. I really like to be able to be strong from the beginning.
Were you panicking at all down 5-0?
If you panic, then you’ll make a big mistake and you’ll end up just giving it away. You just got to take it from where you are and figure out what’s there.
Are you starting to become known as a pinner?
I don’t think of myself as winning by pin, but it’s happened recently – a couple of times.
How important is this moment for women’s wrestling?
It’s huge. Just how far wrestling goes back, it’s really neat. And now we can be a part of it. We get to show what we do to the world. It’s so much bigger than just me.
Were you nervous before the match?
There’s always nerves for any match. They all seem big to me because you put your heart into every match, no matter if it’s in the room or in the Olympics. I think there’s a little different nerves. It’s just exciting.
63 kg/138.75 lbs. – Sara McMann, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
How prepared were you for this first match?
“We knew what her style was so I was ready. I anticipated her double-leg. It’s really strong, but I kept good position and I trusted in what my coaches told me. The last part was just scrambling. I didn’t know that I would catch her for the fall, but I knew that I wouldn’t get scored on. I was just trying to get out of what she was doing, honestly.”
Is all the hard work worth competing in the Olympics?
“Back then I was crying about it, but now I think that maybe (Coach Terry Steiner) had a point for all those sprints.”
Where do you feel that women’s wrestling is at?
“It feels like to me that we’re gaining a lot more respect among all of the wrestling world. It took a lot of hard work to get there and a lot of girls putting in a lot of hours to get there.”
72 kg/158.5 lbs. – Toccara Montgomery, Cleveland, Ohio (New York AC)
Did you panic when you got down in the match?
“I’m always down, so I didn’t freak out about it. I just didn’t get it back, so what can you do?”
Did the draw change your mindset?
“I had no reaction. The draw to me didn’t matter. I felt confident going in. It just didn’t matter.”