News Page
5/18/2005
Gary Abbott/USA Wrestling
Japan, the nation that has dominated women’s freestyle wrestling since the sport joined the international scene in the late 1980’s, is seeking to defend its title at the Women’s World Cup, set for Clermont-Ferrand, France, May 20-21.
Japan claimed the team title in this international dual-meet championships in 2004, which was held on their home mats in Tokyo. Also in the field is the United States, the 2003 World Cup team champions. Completing the talented field of teams are Ukraine, Russia, Venezuela and host France.
The nations will compete in dual meets, with final standings determined based upon the team records from these duals. Individual medalists are also recognized, based upon the results in each weight division.
Japan had the most dominant performance at the 2004 Olympic Games, the first time that women’s wrestling was included in the Olympics. All four of the 2004 Olympians for Japan will be wrestling in the World Cup this year. That includes Olympic champions Saori Yoshida at 55 kg/121 lbs. and Kaori Icho at 63 kg/138.75 lbs. Olympic silver medalist Chiharu Icho will compete at 51 kg/112.25 lbs., up a division from where she wrestled at the Athens Games. Olympic bronze medalist Kyoko Hamaguchi will wrestle at 72 kg/158.5 lbs.
These athletes have won numerous World gold medals as well, including five by Hamaguchi, two by Kaori Icho and Yoshida, and one by Chiharu Icho. Many of the team members have won World Cup titles, including three from Hamaguchi and Kaori Icho. This is an all-star team, the best that Japan can offer. If Japan has weaknesses, it is at 48 kg/105.5 lbs and 67 kg/147.5 lbs., where the entries are not World medalists. For a team to beat Japan, it must win at those two divisions, and pull a few upsets in the other weight classes.
As in previous years, the Japanese team does not lack for confidence going into the competition.
``Each nation has a few strong wrestlers,'' Japan coach Shigeo Kinase told the Japanese newspaper Asahi. ``So we'll have to take care of all of them to win the World Cup. That's our goal, to win the World Cup.''
The rest of the field will battle to see who earns the right to challenge Japan for the team title. Most of the other teams have a mix of experienced talent, along with some exciting new contenders.
Team USA will be talented, with six of the seven 2005 U.S. Nationals champion in the lineup. The top star is two-time World champion and seven-time World medalist Kristie Marano (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) at 67 kg/147.5 lbs. Also competing for the U.S. will be 2001 World silver medalist Stephanie Murata (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 51 kg/112.25 lbs., two-time World silver medalist Tina George (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) at 55 kg/121 lbs. and 2003 World bronze medalist Sally Roberts (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) at 59 kg/130 lbs.
The other 2005 U.S. Nationals champions on the U.S. roster are Sara Fulp-Allen (El Granada, Calif./Menlo College) at 48 kg/105.5 lbs. and Iris Smith (Colorado Springs, Colo./U.S. Army) at 72 kg/158.5 lbs. Rounding out the U.S. team will be nationals runner-up Kaci Lyle (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 63 kg/138.75 lbs.
Russia will be led by three of its four 2004 Olympians: Lorisa Oorzhak at 48 kg/105.5 lbs., Natalia Smirnova at 51 kg/112.25 lbs. and Alena Kartashova at 63 kg/138.75 lbs. None of them won Olympic medals, and Smirnova competed up at 55 kg in Athens. With Smirnova dropping down, two-time World bronze medalist Natalia Golts was inserted in the lineup at 55 kg/121 lbs. Smirnova and Kartashova are past World champions, although at other weight classes. When you add in Elena Perpelkina at 67 kg/147.5 lbs., the defending World Cup champion, as well as 2003 World bronze medalist Svetlana Martynenko at 72 kg/158.5 lbs., you have a very strong lineup.
Host France also brings its big guns to this tournament, including 2004 Olympic bronze medalists Anna Gomis at 55 kg/121 lbs. and Lise LeGrand at 67 kg/147.5 lbs. LeGrand won her Olympic medal down at 63 kg/138.75 lbs. France, which was a major women’s power in the early years of the sport, seemed to have dropped off a bit, but came back with a tremendous performance at the Athens Games. Gomis is considered one of the sport’s all-time stars, with four World titles to her credit (1993, 1996, 1997, 1999). The rest of the French team is experienced, with athletes such as Anne Catherine Deluntsch at 48 kg/105.5 lbs., Vanessa Boubryemm at 51 kg/112.25 lbs., Audrey Prieto at 59 kg/130 lbs. and Fanny Gai at 72 kg/158.5 lbs. all with past European, World Cup and World Championships appearances.
Ukraine always has a very competitive women’s team, and this year, their World Cup team leans toward the young side. The superstar on the team is 2004 Olympic champion Irini Merlini, who has moved up from her normal 48 kg/105.5 lbs to compete at 51 kg/112.25 lbs. this year. Merlini has won three World titles to go along with the Olympic gold, and she is etched in history as the first woman to ever win an Olympic title in wrestling. The other experienced stars are 2002 World champion Katerina Burmistrova at 67 kg/147.5 pounds, along with Svitlana Sayenko at 72 kg/158.5 lbs., who was fourth at the 2004 Olympic Games. For Ukraine to do well at the World Cup, the athletes in the roster who are coming up from the Junior ranks will have to do very well.
Venenzuela did not submit a roster to the official web page. This nation has traditionally been the top women’s wrestling power from South America, and has a number of women wrestlers win World medals or high placements at the World Championships. Without a roster to review, it is unknown whether Venezuela will bring some of its veteran stars, or will use this event as a chance to test out some new talent.
For more information on the Women’s World Cup, visit the official web page posted by the hosts in France at:
http://www.auvergnelutte.com/Equipes.htm
2005 WOMEN’S WORLD CUP LINEUPS
at Clermont-Ferrand, France, May 20-21
JAPAN
48 kg SAKAMOTO Makiko
51 kg ICHO Chiharu
51 kg SAKAMOTO Hitomi
55 kg YOSHIDA Saori
59 kg SHODA Ayako
59 kg NAKANISHI Hatsumi
63 kg ICHO Kaori
67 kg SAKAMOTO Eri
67 kg SAITO Noria
72 kg HAMAGUCHI Kyoko
72 kg MORASHIMA Ayako
UKRAINE
48 kg KOHUT Oleksandra
51 kg MERLENI Irini
51 kg LEVKOVSKA Olga
55 kg KOMAROVA Alena
59 kg SINISHIN Natalia
63 kg SHALIKOVA Oxana
67 kg BURMISTROVA Katerina
67 kg ZLATOVA Valeriya
72 kg SOENKO Svitlana
UNITED STATES
48 kg FULP ALLEN Sara
51 kg MURATA Stephanie
55 kg GEORGE Tina
59 kg ROBERTS Sally
63 kg LYLE Kaci
67 kg MARANO Kristie
72 kg SMITH Iris
RUSSIA
48 kg OARZHAK Lorisa
48 kg KASKARAKOVA Liliya
51 kg SMIRNOVA Natalia
51 kg TOLSTENKO Elena
55 kg GOLTS Natalia
59 kg ZAGAINOVA Viktoria
59 kg IVASHKO Natalia
63 kg KARTASHOVA Alena
63 kg POLOVNEVA Anna
67 kg PEREPELKINA Elena
67 kg DEZHNEVA Anastasia
72 kg MARTYNENKO Svetlana
72 kg STARODUBTSEVA Alena
FRANCE
48 kg DELUNTSCH Anne Catherine
51 kg BOUBRYEMM Vanessa
51 kg WILLOCQ Juliette
55 kg GOMIS Anna
55 kg LEBON Hélène
59 kg PRIETO Audrey
59 kg SELLOUM Meyriem
59 kg SEVE Sandrine
63 kg MOUSSAOUI Nadia
67 kg LEGRAND Lise
72 kg GAI Fanny
72 kg DOS SANTOS Catherine
VENEZUELA
Lineup not yet available
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National Champions Q&A: Sara Fulp-Allen
5/20/2005
John Fuller/TheMat.com
Sara Fulp-Allen is only a sophomore in college, and that clearly made her the youngest champion at the U.S. Nationals in the women’s freestyle division. Winning the 48 kg/105.5-pound title is the biggest accomplishment of Fulp-Allen’s young and promising career.
In a weight class that lost its first-ever Olympian, and is loaded with young women, Fulp-Allen has taken the early lead towards the 2008 Olympic Team.
TheMat.com sat down with Fulp-Allen to discuss her national title and how she will prepare for the future.
TheMat.com: You put together probably your best freestyle tournament yet in Las Vegas. What has been the difference for you in the past year?
Fulp-Allen: I think having wrestled everybody that was in my weight and having that confidence.
TheMat.com: In your finals match against Caitlyn Chase, you lost the first period and seemed to be struggling before you pinned her. How did you keep your focus in that match?
Fulp-Allen: I knew the first round was just the first round and that I’ve beaten her by a lot before. I knew I could come back and I’ve done it in a lot of matches this year in this scoring system.
TheMat.com: How will you prepare differently for the Trials this year, now that you won’t be competing in the Challenge Tournament?
Fulp-Allen: I really don’t know yet. That’s hard to say. I know I’m going to keep training hard. Since I’ve wrestled everybody that qualified, I know that anybody that comes up in that finals match, I can wrestle. As I keep preparing, I’m just going to keep working hard on the things I’ve been doing the past year. I’m not really changing anything, though.
TheMat.com: You would now be at a point in your career where you need to start focusing on international competitors. Which foreign opponents have you begun to keep an eye on?
Fulp-Allen: Last year, I was doing a lot of that before the Olympics. A lot of people from my weight class have moved up, or done what Patricia Miranda did by taking some time off. That’s something I really need to do – is start looking at people, following people and watching more tapes. That’s something I’m going to do before Trials, and focusing off what my opponents do and improving off that.
TheMat.com: What kind of progressions have you seen in women’s wrestling since you first began competing?
Fulp-Allen: Numbers for sure and quality. I’ve gone up with the quality as well. Definitely everybody has taken steps forward.
TheMat.com: How exciting is it for you to have your father, Lee Allen, a two-time Olympian, coaching you every day?
Fulp-Allen: It’s great. He’s been my coach my whole life. He’s just always there and it’s great.
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World Team Trials preview at 48 kg/105.5 lbs. in women’s freestyle wrestling
5/20/2005
Gary Abbott/USA Wrestling
College star Sara Fulp-Allen of Menlo College made a big step forward in her career by winning the U.S. Nationals title in Las Vegas, Nev. The victory gives her the top seed at the upcoming World Team Trials, as well as additional confidence going into the event. Fulp-Allen had never been in a U.S. Nationals finals before, and her highest Women’s Team USA ranking was No. 3, after taking a bronze medal at the 2004 Olympic Team Trials.
Fulp-Allen has had an impressive season so far, winning medals at international events and dominating the college season. She was impressive in Las Vegas, which included a number of strong victories, and a pin in the finals. Fulp-Allen has climbed the ladder of success in the age-group programs, and now has her first real chance to be on top at the Senior level.
The athletes ahead of Fulp-Allen at the 2004 Olympic Team Trials were not in Las Vegas. Olympic bronze medalist Patricia Miranda is currently coaching, as well as handling her new role as a first-year law student. The Olympic Trials runner-up Clarissa Chun of the Gator WC has been injured and was not ready for action for the U.S. Nationals. If Chun is able to compete at the World Team Trials, she immediately becomes a favorite to win this division. Chun competed at the 2000 World Championships, and has considerable international experience. The departure of Miranda gives Chun her chance to make her mark internationally, but the injury may take away that opportunity. Reports indicate that Miranda is considering a return to the mats in the future, and Miranda dominated this division in recent years.
High school sensation Caitlyn Chase of the Gator WC had her best performance on the Senior level by qualifying for the U.S. Nationals finals, where she was pinned by Fulp-Allen. Chase qualified for the Olympic Trials last year as a high school sophomore, and has climbed rapidly her junior year. She has numerous national titles and honors on the age-group levels, and competes at all the major events. Chase was the first girl to qualify for the Illinois state high school wrestling championships, a major achievement in a state respected for its talent.
Placing a surprise third at the U.S. Nationals was Hana Askren of Santa Monica Bay, who was seeded eighth in the division in Las Vegas. Askren competes at McGill University in Canada, but had a disappointing season on the Canadian college circuit. At the U.S. Nationals, she lost to Fulp-Allen in the quarterfinals, then won four straight matches to capture the bronze medal. Askren hopes to continue her climb in the standings at the World Team Trials.
Veteran Katie Kunimoto of the Gator WC, a USOTC resident athlete, placed fourth at the U.S. Nationals. Kunimoto made Women’s Team USA up at 51 kg a few years ago, but made the move down to 48 kg for the Olympic Trials last year. She had some good performances overseas this year, but has been a bit inconsistent on the national level. Her experience and skills makes her a challenger every time she enters at this division.
Laura Felix of Cal-State Bakersfield has had a strong season on the college level, and lost to Chase in the U.S. Nationals semifinals in a tough three-period battle. She was pinned by Askren in the wrestle-backs and placed fifth, a bit disappointing for a No. 2 seed. Felix has shown the ability to win at this division, and will be looking to avenge her losses in Las Vegas with a strong showing at the World Team Trials.
This weight class could be turned upside down if any of the athletes from 51 kg decide to drop down for the World Team Trials. Two-time U.S. Nationals champion Malinda Ripley of the Sunkist Kids attempted to make the drop for Las Vegas, but weighed in at 51 kg instead and won a silver medal. It has been a few years since she made this weight, but if she goes for it again and does it, she will be among the favorites. Mary Kelly of the New York AC, who competed at 48 kg for many years, has moved up to 51 kg this year, but would also be an instant title contender if she decided to drop back down for the World Team Trials.
Rachel Holthaus of the High Flyers, a two-time Junior Nationals champion, had her best Senior-level performance by taking sixth at the U.S. Nationals this year. Holthaus reached the semifinals in Las Vegas, where she lost to Fulp-Allen. Many people expect her to continue to improve on this level, as she gains experience and strength.
The final athlete to qualify for the World Team Trials in Las Vegas, by placing seventh in this division is Liz Short of the USOEC. Short has competed for the USA internationally on the age-group levels, and can be a dangerous opponent when wrestling well. Short has the talent to move higher in the rankings.
Two other athletes enter the field in Ames by winning Regional titles, high school wrestlers Joey Miller of Oklahoma and Christina Varland of Wyoming. Miller was second at the FILA Junior Nationals this year, her first on the Senior level after a strong age-group career. Miller placed fourth at the Oklahoma state high school championships this year as a freshman, an amazing achievement in such a strong wrestling state.
For the time being, Fulp-Allen is expected to be the favorite at this division, needing only to win the best-of-three series in Ames. However, a return to the mats by Chun, or the entry of a 51 kg athlete like Ripley or Kelly, and this division could really have an amazing Challenge Tournament battle. With depth in the division from athletes like Askren, Kunimoto and Felix, there are many athletes who believe in themselves and could earn a spot in the finals series against Fulp-Allen. Whoever wins will not have the kind of experience and success on the international level that Miranda had, and will need to have rapid improvement to be a top medal hopeful at the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
2005 U.S. NATIONALS RESULTS AT 48 KG/105.5 LBS.
1st – Sara Fulp-Allen, El Granada, Calif. (Menlo College) pin Caitlyn Chase, Hanover Park, Ill. (Gator WC), 0-2, 1:20
3rd – Hana Askren, Los Angles, Calif. (Santa Monica Bay) pin Katie Kunimoto, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC), 2-0, 1:22
5th – Laura Felix, Bakersfield, Calif. (Cal-Bakersfield) dec. Rachel Holthaus, Little Falls, Minn. (High Flyers), 1-1, 3-0
7th - Liz Short, Lombard, Ill (USEOC) dec. Jessica Medina, Pomona, Calif. (Cumberland College), 1-0, 1-0
QUALIFIERS FOR 2005 WORLD TEAM TRIALS AT 48 KG/105.5 LBS.
U.S. Nationals Champion - Sara Fulp-Allen, El Granada, Calif. (Menlo College)
U.S. Nationals, second place – Caitlyn Chase, Bloomingdale, Ill. (Gator WC)
U.S. Nationals, third place – Hana Askren, Los Angeles, Calif. (Santa Monica WC)
U.S. Nationals, fourth place – Katie Kunimoto, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
U.S. Nationals, fifth place – Laura Felix, Bakersfield, Calif. (Cal-State Bakersfield)
U.S. Nationals, sixth place – Rachael Holthaus, Little Falls, Minn. (Hi-Flyers)
U.S. Nationals, seventh place – Liz Short, Lombard, Ill. (USOEC)
Rocky Mountain Regional Champion – Christina Varland, Douglas, Wyo.
Northern Plains Regional Champion – Joey Miller, Woodward, Okla. (unattached)
Olympic Team member – Patricia Miranda, New Haven, Conn. (Dave Schultz WC)
Past World Team member – Clarissa Chun, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
’04 Sunkist Kids International champion – None, foreign champion
’04 NYAC Christmas Open champion – Katie Kunimoto, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
’05 Dave Schultz Memorial champion – None, foreign champion
International Tour medalist (within 2 yrs) –
*’03 World Cup gold medalist – Patricia Miranda, New Haven, Conn. (Dave Shultz WC)
*’05 Gilbert Schaub Open bronze medalist – Sara Fulp-Allen, El Granada, Calif. (Menlo College)