Maroulis vs. Kisel Courtesy Aimee Berg/Team USA
FILA made May “International Wrestling Month” and two big events happen this past week on both ends of the United States.
Last Wednesday, “Rumble on the Rails” was held at New York City’s Grand Central Station. Wrestlers from Iran, Russia, and the USA grappled in front of fans and dignitaries from across the planet. In the only female bout, Helen Maroulis of Team USA pinned Irina Kisel of Russia.
This past Sunday, the action turned to the Los Angeles Memorial Sports Arena for the United for Wrestling Event. Wrestlers from Russia, Canada, and the United States competed in the one day event with five female freestyle grappling matches. Among them the #2 ranked 63 kg wrestler Elena Pirozhkova for Team USA who gained a decision win over Danielle Lappage of Canada.
“This sport means a lot,” Pirozhkova stated in an article for TheMat.com. “It’s really exciting to be a part of it. It means a lot to all of the wrestling countries. The environment here is amazing. I’m just blessed to be a part of it. There’s no way I’d miss out on this.”
“Wrestling is the fastest growing sport for women in the country and this event was really important. If you promote women’s wrestling for the Olympics, you just have that many more competitors who are able to wrestle in the Olympics.”
You can watch post match interviews below:
Elena Pirozhkova (Watch here)
Brittney Roberts (Watch Here)
Here is the results from Sunday.
- 48 kg/105.5 lbs. – Jasmine Mian (Canada) dec. Victoria Anthony (USA), 4-2
- 51 kg/112.25 lbs. – Genevieve Haley (Canada) dec. Jessica Medina (USA), 11-5
- 63 kg/138.75 lbs. – Elena Pirozhkova (USA) dec. Danielle Lappage (Canada), 4-2
- 72 kg/158.5 lbs. – Brittney Roberts (USA) dec. Justina DiStasio (Canada), 7-2
Youth Division
- Patricia Arana pinned Viviana Garcia, 4:30
Filed under: MMA
