From: Tim Foley
[email protected] Subject: What You Need to Know: Women's Wrestling at the 2016 Olympics Games Date: August 4, 2016 at 1:45 PM To:
[email protected] What You Need to Know: Women's Wrestling at the 2016 Olympics Games By William May, United World Wrestling Yoshida, Icho Seek Holy Grail of Olympic Wrestling, Gold Medal No.4 RIO DE JANIERO (August 4) – Saori YOSHIDA (JPN) and Kaori ICHO (JPN) come to Rio 2016 in search of the holy grail of Olympic wrestling – the gold medal at a fourth consecutive Olympic Games. Icho and Yoshida have won gold medals at their previous three Olympic Games and will be favorites to go where no wrestler – male or female – has gone before when they arrive on the mats at Carioca Arena 2 on Wednesday and Thursday. Greco-Roman legend Alexander KARELIN (RUS) is the only wrestler to have had a glimpse of a fourth gold medal when he advanced to the 130kg final at Sydney 2000. He had to settle for the silver medal, however, after a 1-0 loss to Rulon GARDNER (USA). According to an IOC Factsheet released October 2015, the only winners of four gold medals in the same individual events in the Olympic Games are Paul ELVSTROM (DEN, 1948-1960) in sailing, Al OERTER (USA, 1956-1968) in the discus throw and Carl LEWIS (USA, 1984-1996) in the long jump. Icho will get first chance at a fourth gold medal on Wednesday, August 17, when the women’s welterweights (58kg) take to the mat, while Yoshida takes her shot the following day at 53kg.