2016 Olympic GamesAug 18, 2016 by Wrestling Nomad
Icho Captures Record Fourth Gold Medal
Icho Captures Record Fourth Gold Medal
Kaori Icho led a Japanese sweep as she won her fourth Olympic gold medal in dramatic fashion.
Day four of Olympic wrestling saw history in the shape of our sport's first four-time Olympic gold medalist. Kaori Icho of Japan accomplished this legendary feat in dramatic fashion.
Trailing 2-1 in her finals match aganst Valeria Koblova, Icho twice had to fend off strong leg attacks from her Russian counterpart. The first time, Icho forced a stalemate by attempting a crotch lock, but the second time resulted in the match clinching takedown.
At the 5:27 mark of the second period, Icho attempted a single leg shot that was stopped as Koblova immediately countered with a single leg of her own. This time, Icho tried to tip Koblova over and then reached for her far ankle. As time wound down, the Japanese star was able to break Koblova's lock and finish behind for two.
She was one of three gold medalists for Japan as they dominated the first day of women's wrestling. Eri Tosaka swept the quad as she won each of the past three world titles and finished it off with a gold medal this afternoon.
Her gold medal match went almost the exact same way as her world final in Vegas this past September. She was patient and did not commit to any leg attacks early on against Mariya Stadnik (AZE).
Just like last year at worlds, Tosaka attacked right until the very end, when she hit a low single for a takedown and 3-2 win over Stadnik. It is Japan's second straight Olympic gold at 48kg; they have had a wrestler in the finals in all four Olympics at this weight.
Capping off the day was 69kg champion Sara Dosho. Like Icho, she defeated a Russian in the finals. Like both of her teammates, the match clinching points came in the final minute of the match.
Dosho, who had previously beaten Natalia Vorobeva in the 2014 world semis, countered and took down the reigning Olympic champ from Russia with just thirty seconds to go. It was the same type of strong counter gameplan the Japanese had exhibited all day.
The bronze medal matches were full of landmarks. Sweden, India and Tunisia all won their first medals in Olympic women's wrestling. Meanwhile, Bulgaria and Kazakhstan brought home women's medals for the third consecutive Games, while 48kg bronze Sun Yanan of China ensured her country has now won a medal at every Olympics which has featured women's wrestling.
Trailing 2-1 in her finals match aganst Valeria Koblova, Icho twice had to fend off strong leg attacks from her Russian counterpart. The first time, Icho forced a stalemate by attempting a crotch lock, but the second time resulted in the match clinching takedown.
At the 5:27 mark of the second period, Icho attempted a single leg shot that was stopped as Koblova immediately countered with a single leg of her own. This time, Icho tried to tip Koblova over and then reached for her far ankle. As time wound down, the Japanese star was able to break Koblova's lock and finish behind for two.
She was one of three gold medalists for Japan as they dominated the first day of women's wrestling. Eri Tosaka swept the quad as she won each of the past three world titles and finished it off with a gold medal this afternoon.
Her gold medal match went almost the exact same way as her world final in Vegas this past September. She was patient and did not commit to any leg attacks early on against Mariya Stadnik (AZE).
Just like last year at worlds, Tosaka attacked right until the very end, when she hit a low single for a takedown and 3-2 win over Stadnik. It is Japan's second straight Olympic gold at 48kg; they have had a wrestler in the finals in all four Olympics at this weight.
Capping off the day was 69kg champion Sara Dosho. Like Icho, she defeated a Russian in the finals. Like both of her teammates, the match clinching points came in the final minute of the match.
Dosho, who had previously beaten Natalia Vorobeva in the 2014 world semis, countered and took down the reigning Olympic champ from Russia with just thirty seconds to go. It was the same type of strong counter gameplan the Japanese had exhibited all day.
The bronze medal matches were full of landmarks. Sweden, India and Tunisia all won their first medals in Olympic women's wrestling. Meanwhile, Bulgaria and Kazakhstan brought home women's medals for the third consecutive Games, while 48kg bronze Sun Yanan of China ensured her country has now won a medal at every Olympics which has featured women's wrestling.