2017 UWW Senior World ChampionshipsAug 22, 2017 by Wrestling Nomad
Day Three 2017 World Championships Draw Analysis
Day Three 2017 World Championships Draw Analysis
Day three bracket reactions for the women's team at the 2017 World Championships in Paris, France.
Team USA's women have received their draws for day three of the 2017 World Championships in Paris. Representing the Americans on Wednesday are Olympic gold medalist Helen Maroulis (Sunkist Kids), junior world medalists Becka Leathers (Titan Mercury) and Victoria Francis (Titan Mercury), and two-time WCWA champ Mallory Velte (Titan Mercury). It will be the first world championship for the final three. Please check out our bracket reactions below.
These two have been in the same tournament a number of times, but the only time they met was last month in Madrid. At that Grand Prix of Spain, Leathers teched Galambos 11-0 in the semis. Leathers won gold there and pinned her three other opponents.
Her side: Haruna Okuno (JPN)
For years, having Japan on your side has been mostly a curse but in some small ways a blessing. If you lose to a Japanese wrestler, you are very likely to be pulled back into repechage. If you beat a Japanese wrestler, you suddenly become the favorite from your half. Okuno is part of the new wave of young Japanese women who are going immediately from Cadets, where she won a world title at 52kg last year, right to the senior level. If Leathers beats Okuno, she is in the semis.
Also on her side:
Qi Zhang (CHN) -- Asian bronze
Bilyana Dudova (BUL) -- Euro gold
Nazira Marsbek Kyzy (KGZ) -- CD bronze/Asian bronze
Marina Sedneva (KAZ) -- JR World bronze/JR World silver
There is no information available for the Olympic champ's first match.
Her side: Valeria Koblova Zholobova (RUS)
Maroulis' second match could be Elin Nilsson (SWE), a 2015 junior world champ. But the primary obstacle to the finals is Maroulis' semis opponent, top seed Valeria Koblova Zholobova (RUS). The Olympic silver medalist has struggled at Euros the past two years but was world bronze in 2013 and silver in 2014. Maroulis and Koblova were in the same weight in 2013 but did not meet.
A two-time Olympian, Oborududu has a wealth of experience that should present a fun challenge for the rookie Velte. She won the Islamic Solidarity Games earlier this year.
Her side: Taybe Yusein (BUL)
Although she didn't have the best Olympics last year, Yusein won a medal every year last quad. Orkhon Purevdorj (MGL), best known for her win over four-time Olympic gold medalist Kaori Icho last year, has entered four tournaments up at 63kg and won them all.
For three straight years, Yerkebayeva has been the Asian bronze medalist as well as a junior world bronze in 2015. This will be a great first-round test for two young wrestlers.
Her Side: Andrea Carolina Olaya (COL)
Olaya beat Francis 8-4 at the Pan Am championships earlier this year. She has twice finished fifth at senior world championships. Those first two wins would go a long way to giving her the confidence to beat U23 Euro champ and senior Euro silver medalist Zsanett Nemeth (HUN).
55kg, Becka Leathers
Opening Match: Ramona Galambos (HUN)These two have been in the same tournament a number of times, but the only time they met was last month in Madrid. At that Grand Prix of Spain, Leathers teched Galambos 11-0 in the semis. Leathers won gold there and pinned her three other opponents.
Her side: Haruna Okuno (JPN)
For years, having Japan on your side has been mostly a curse but in some small ways a blessing. If you lose to a Japanese wrestler, you are very likely to be pulled back into repechage. If you beat a Japanese wrestler, you suddenly become the favorite from your half. Okuno is part of the new wave of young Japanese women who are going immediately from Cadets, where she won a world title at 52kg last year, right to the senior level. If Leathers beats Okuno, she is in the semis.
Also on her side:
Qi Zhang (CHN) -- Asian bronze
Bilyana Dudova (BUL) -- Euro gold
Nazira Marsbek Kyzy (KGZ) -- CD bronze/Asian bronze
Marina Sedneva (KAZ) -- JR World bronze/JR World silver
58kg, Helen Maroulis
Opening Match: Hanbit Kim (KOR)There is no information available for the Olympic champ's first match.
Her side: Valeria Koblova Zholobova (RUS)
Maroulis' second match could be Elin Nilsson (SWE), a 2015 junior world champ. But the primary obstacle to the finals is Maroulis' semis opponent, top seed Valeria Koblova Zholobova (RUS). The Olympic silver medalist has struggled at Euros the past two years but was world bronze in 2013 and silver in 2014. Maroulis and Koblova were in the same weight in 2013 but did not meet.
63kg, Mallory Velte
Opening Match: Blessing Oborududu (NGR)A two-time Olympian, Oborududu has a wealth of experience that should present a fun challenge for the rookie Velte. She won the Islamic Solidarity Games earlier this year.
Her side: Taybe Yusein (BUL)
Although she didn't have the best Olympics last year, Yusein won a medal every year last quad. Orkhon Purevdorj (MGL), best known for her win over four-time Olympic gold medalist Kaori Icho last year, has entered four tournaments up at 63kg and won them all.
75kg, Victoria Francis
Opening Match: Gulmaral Yerkebayeva (KAZ)For three straight years, Yerkebayeva has been the Asian bronze medalist as well as a junior world bronze in 2015. This will be a great first-round test for two young wrestlers.
Her Side: Andrea Carolina Olaya (COL)
Olaya beat Francis 8-4 at the Pan Am championships earlier this year. She has twice finished fifth at senior world championships. Those first two wins would go a long way to giving her the confidence to beat U23 Euro champ and senior Euro silver medalist Zsanett Nemeth (HUN).
