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China breaks Japan's gold-sweeping dream in women's wrestling
12/12/2006 10:28

Japanese women wrestlers' dream of grand slam was smashed as the Chinese Olympic champion Wang Xu beat Hamaguchi Kyoko to claim the women's freestyle 72kg title at the Doha Asiad on Monday.

Wang, who won the final by a point of 3-1, was the only non-Japanese champion as the gold medals of 48kg, 55kg and 63kg freestyle were bagged by three Japanese women, namely Chiharu Icho, Saori Yoshida and Kaori Icho.

The 21-year-old Chinese didn't give Hamaguchi a chance to extend the bout to the third round as she kept on attacking, attacking and attacking.

"I think Hamaguchi is very tough, but I came out with full confidence, and the tactics worked well tonight," said Wang. " In the first round I did not lose a single point and this was due to my technique."

Chiharu Icho handed Japan its first gold Monday night to dismiss her injured opponent Kim Hyung Joo of South Korea in two rounds.

Her teammate Yoshida marked her 100th straight win in the 55kg final with a lopsided victory. She did not concede a single point to Olga Smirnova of Kazakhstan.

"I'm glad to extend my winning record," said Yoshida. "My next target is to win in the Beijing Olympic Games."

"I was the flag bearer of the Japanese Asiad delegation. I came here for the gold and I made it," she added.

Kaori Icho also clinched a clean victory for Japan as she outplayed Jakhar Geetika of India 5-0 in the 63kg final.

"I think I can improve in the future and the Asian Games is the starting point."



Xinhua News