Molinari and Bruntil to face off in Yariguin finals, Green and Pantaleo eliminated
by Taylor Miller-Gregorio, USA Wrestling
Photo of Emma Bruntil at the 2020 Olympic Trials. Photo by Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com.
KRASNOYARSK, Russia – There will be an all-USA final at 65 kg as two American women’s freestylers—Forrest Molinari and Emma Bruntil—advanced to the finals of the 2022 Ivan Yariguin Grand Prix on Thursday in Russia.
Molinari, a 2021 World bronze medalist and multiple-time World Team member, dominated her side of the bracket, collecting technical falls in all three of her matches. She opened with a 15-5 win over reigning Yariguin champion Bolortungalag Zorgit from Mongolia, followed by back-to-back 10-0 shutouts over 2017 Cadet European silver medalist Anna Krasnova and 2018 U23 World bronze medalist Maria Kuznetsova, both from Russia, to advance to the finals.
On the other side of the bracket, 2021 U23 World Team member Bruntil put together three decisive wins to punch her ticket to the gold-medal match. In the first round, she defeated 2018 Junior World bronze medalist Daria Bobrulko from Russia, 2-0. The American took down another Junior World medalist in the next round with a 4-0 victory against Russia’s Maria Lachugina before besting reigning 2021 U23 World silver medalist Dinara Kudaeva of Russia, 4-3.
Molinari and Bruntil are set to face off on Friday with medal matches beginning at 6:15 a.m. ET. Fans can watch live online:
Stream 1 - https://t.co/01e7UmzXQh
Stream 2 - https://t.co/KkI7KTGMMW
Stream 3 - https://t.co/aM6KHAygYI
Two men’s freestyle athletes represented the USA in day one of Yariguin action, including two-time World medalist James Green and 2021 Pan American champion Alec Pantaleo, who both competed at 70 kg. Both Green and Pantaleo dropped their respective tournament openers and were eventually eliminated when their victors failed to advance to the finals.
On Friday, five more Americans will begin competition, including 2016 Olympic champion Helen Maroulis (57 kg WFS), 2017 Cadet World champion Macey Kilty (62 kg WFS), 2018 U23 World bronze medalists Joey McKenna (65 kg MFS) and Ty Walz (125 kg MFS) and 2012 Junior World silver medalist Alex Dieringer (79 kg MFS).
Draws are available on TheMat.com.
2022 IVAN YARIGUIN GRAND PRIX
Jan. 27-30, 2022 | Krasnoyarsk, Russia
U.S. men’s freestyle results
70 kg: James Green (Southeast RTC/Titan Mercury WC) – eliminated
LOSS Kurban Shiraev (Russia), 10-8
70 kg: Alec Pantaleo (Michigan RTC/Titan Mercury WC) – eliminated
LOSS Alan Kudzoev (Russia), 4-4
U.S. women’s freestyle results
65 kg: Forrest Molinari (Sunkist Kids) – finalist
WIN Bolortungalag Zorgit (Mongolia), 15-5
WIN Anna Krasnova (Russia), 10-0
WIN Maria Kuznetsova (Russia), 10-0
vs. Emma Bruntil (USA)
65 kg: Emma Bruntil (Titan Mercury WC) – finalist
WIN Daria Bobrulko (Russia), 2-0
WIN Maria Lachugina (Russia), 4-0
WIN Dinara Kudaeva (Russia), 4-3
vs. Forrest Molinari (USA)
Schedule (12 hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Time)
Friday, Jan. 28
11 a.m. – Qualification rounds AND semifinals (MFS 65, 79, 125 kg, WFS 53, 57, 62 kg)
11 a.m. – Repechage (MFS 57, 61, 70 kg, WFS 50, 55, 59, 65 kg)
6:15 p.m. – Finals (MFS 57, 61, 70 kg, WFS 50, 55, 59, 65 kg)
Saturday, Jan. 29
11 a.m. – Qualification rounds and semifinals (MFS 74, 86, 92, 97 kg, WFS 68, 72, 76 kg)
11 a.m. – Repechage (MFS 65, 79, 125 kg, WFS 53, 57, 62 kg)
6 p.m. – Finals (MFS 65, 79, 125 kg, WFS 53, 57, 62 kg)
Sunday, Jan. 30
11 a.m. – Repechage (MFS 74, 86, 92, 97 kg, WFS 68, 72, 76 kg)
1 p.m. – Finals (MFS 74, 86, 92, 97 kg, WFS 68, 72, 76 kg)