The 2024 Zagreb Open is offering some sensational moments on the mat, functioning as the perfect stepping stone for the 2024 Paris Olympics. While American freestyle wrestlers continue to secure podium finishes, the Greco-Roman athletes are having a harder time in the Croatian capital. However, the others look more than capable of compensating for the letdown and Iowa Hawkeyes’ Kylie Welker has been at the helm of things throughout the tournament.
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Welker had a brilliant start to the Zagreb Open, decimating her opponents in the initial rounds. Pinning two-time U23 World Medalist Kendra Dacher, Welker promised glory to her country, only to be defeated by China’s Juan Wang in the quarterfinals. Set to clash against domestic rival Kennedy Blades, the Hawkeye ultimately saw a repeat of last year’s U20 Nationals as Blades walked away with the bronze medal.
Iowa Hawkeyes’ national honoree placed fifth at Zagreb Open
Only days ago, Kylie made the headlines by being named the USA wrestling athlete of the week, thanks to her contribution to the Hawkeyes’ first-ever NWCA National title. With that, Welker went to the Zagreb Open with hopes of retaining her exquisite form. However, Blades had other plans in mind, and in a recent post on X, her determined resistance against her old foe can be witnessed in all its glory. “Kennedy Blades secured a fall over domestic rival Kylie Welker for a 76 kg bronze medal at the Zagreb Open“, informs the post.
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Kennedy Blades secured a fall over domestic rival Kylie Welker for a 76 kg bronze medal at the Zagreb Open. pic.twitter.com/5TcDrpLyFb
— FloWrestling (@FloWrestling) January 13, 2024
In the post by the official FloWrestling X account, Blades and Welker can be seen locking horns for the bronze medal in the 76kg weight class. Blades was also ousted by Wang in the semifinal matchup, making her clash against fellow American and Hawkeyes star Welker imminent later in the day.
The two former U20 World champs faced off for a third-place finish to the tournament. Blades edged out in the first period with a 2-0 lead over the Iowa wrestler and secured her winning point in the second period with a definitive takedown. Welker walks out of the Zagreb Open being placed fifth.
A mixed bag of performances for the Team USA
Team USA sent a large contingent of nationally decorated wrestlers to the Zagreb Open. While the absence of Jordan Burroughs left a gaping hole in the team’s attacking prowess, Nate Jackson and Jason Nolf offset the troubles with two golds in their respective weight classes.
On the other hand, Forrest Molinari and Kayla Miracle secured silver medals in the tournament while the Greco-Roman wrestlers continued to struggle to find their feet.
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BHUJAYA RAY CHOWDHURY