Villaescusa to wrestle for bronze in Women’s freestyle at Zagreb Open Ranking Event

Women’s freestyle action began on Thursday morning at the 2025 Zagreb Open Ranking Event in Zagreb, Croatia. The United States was represented by one athlete at 55 kg on the first day of women’s freestyle competition.

Areana Villaescusa, a 2024 Senior World Team member, fell in her first match to Tatiana Debien of France at 55 kg. Debien has been competing internationally since 2008, and is a 2024 Senior World bronze medalist and 2023 European Championships bronze medalist.

Villaescusa finished on a single leg to take a 2-0 lead. An arm spin just before the break put Debien up 4-2. Villaescusa regained control late in the second period, but was unable to generate enough offense to take the lead. Debien won on criteria, 4-4.

Villaescusa will wrestle Individual Neutral Athlete Ekaterina Verbina for bronze in the afternoon session. Verbina is a three-time age-group World medalist.

The action continues at noon EST with the men’s freestyle and women’s freestyle medal matches. For live updates, follow USA Wrestling on X and Threads. The tournament is streaming on FloWrestling, and the full schedule is below. Live results and brackets are available on UWW Arena.

At Zagreb, Croatia, February 5-9, 2025

U.S. Women's freestyle results

55 kg – Areana Villaescusa (Fountain, Colo./Army WCAP), in bronze medal match

LOSS Tatiana Debien (France), 4-4

Vs. Ekaterina Verbina (AIN)

Event Schedule

*all times listed local to Zagreb, Croatia, which is six hours ahead of U.S. Eastern time

Thursday, February 6

10:30 a.m. – Qualification Rounds (MFS 79 kg, 92 kg, 97 kg, 125 kg, WFS 50 kg, 55 kg)

12:30 p.m. – Semifinal Rounds (MFS 79 kg, 92 kg, 97 kg, 125 kg, WFS 50 kg, 55 kg)

1:30 p.m. – Repechage (MFS 79 kg, 92 kg, 97 kg, 125 kg, WFS 50 kg, 55 kg)

6:00 p.m. – Finals (MFS 79 kg, 92 kg, 97 kg, 125 kg, WFS 50 kg, 55 kg)

Friday, February 7

10:30 a.m. – Qualification Rounds (WFS 59 kg, 62 kg, 65 kg, 68 kg, GR 63 kg, 67 kg)

12:30 p.m. – Semifinal Rounds (WFS 59 kg, 62 kg, 65 kg, 68 kg, GR 63 kg, 67 kg)

1:30 p.m. – Repechage (WFS 59 kg, 62 kg, 65 kg, 68 kg, GR 63 kg, 67 kg)

6:00 p.m. – Finals (WFS 59 kg, 62 kg, 65 kg, 68 kg, GR 63 kg, 67 kg)

Saturday, February 8

10:30 a.m. – Qualification Rounds (WFS 53 kg, 57 kg, 72 kg, 76 kg, GR 77 kg, 87 kg)

12:30 p.m. – Semifinal Rounds (WFS 53 kg, 57 kg, 72 kg, 76 kg, GR 77 kg, 87 kg)

1:30 p.m. – Repechage (WFS 53 kg, 57 kg, 72 kg, 76 kg, GR 77 kg, 87 kg)

6:00 p.m. – Finals (WFS 53 kg, 57 kg, 72 kg, 76 kg, GR 77 kg, 87 kg)

Sunday, February 9

10:00 a.m. – Qualification Rounds (GR 55 kg, 60 kg, 72 kg 82 kg, 97 kg, 130 kg)

12:30 p.m. – Semifinal Rounds (GR 55 kg, 60 kg, 72 kg 82 kg, 97 kg, 130 kg)

1:30 p.m. – Repechage (GR 55 kg, 60 kg, 72 kg 82 kg, 97 kg, 130 kg)

6:00 p.m. – Finals (GR 55 kg, 60 kg, 72 kg 82 kg, 97 kg, 130 kg)