Adeline Gray after picking up a victory at Beat the Streets (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)LOS ANGELES -- The two top female wrestling teams on the planet clashed at an outdoor dual meet and fundraiser for Beat the Streets Los Angeles at the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center in Little Tokyo, Los Angeles.
Two-time world champion and Olympic champion Helen Maroulis was scheduled to compete, but had to sit up due to injury. The 2016 Rio gold medalist was on hand, meeting fans and signing autographs at the capacity-filled event.
Maroulis described the situation as bittersweet. "Obviously, I would have loved to have been out there competing today, but it's great because I get to sit back and cheer on teammates and cheer on Team USA."
Team USA's roster included the return of three-time world champion Adeline Gray, who had taken time off since the Rio Olympics. Gray's match was the last of the day, and any concerns that she would be gun-shy after the time off were laid to rest as that Gray as she immediately went looking for big moves right off the opening whistle.
"For an event like this, we didn't have very many throws and I was hoping to get one," said Gray. "I was so bummed when I had it locked up and she had hooked my leg. She just did a good job with defense."
Gray was one of four U.S. women to score shutout technical falls against the young Japanese team en route to a 6-4 team victory. The 10 weight classes contested at the event are newly sanctioned by United World Wrestling and are up from the eight used at this year's World Championships.
In the opening bout, Victoria Anthony electrified the crowd early with a four-point inside trip in the first period. "I wasn't really thinking," Anthony said. "I didn't go in with any kind of plan. And it just felt so good to flow through everything I've been working on. I've really been working hard with my coaches."
Sarah Hildebrandt looks to score from a front headlock (Photo/Tony Rotundo, WrestlersAreWarriors.com)At 53 kilograms, Sarah Hildebrandt used a variety of techniques in her 11-0 technical fall against Yuri Yonamine, including a slick cross ankle pick off a front headlock.
"I love being in that front headlock," Hildebrand said. "I have long arms so it's fun to reach and stuff."
"I'm having so much fun," Hildebrandt added. "More fun than I've had in a long, long time with wrestling. I'm excited to see how that helps me and carries me through the season."
One of the most competitive matches of the day saw Kayla Miracle against former cadet world champion Yoshimi Kayama. The bout was close in the second period when Miracle got a takedown and slowly locked up a trapped toe turn and got multiple exposures to blow the match open.
"It's my favorite turn, but I have messed myself up with that before on the world stage, so I'm really particular about having that toe and having it deep, because anything can happen."
With the dual meet win against the top team in the world, there was much talk about what the American women's team needs to do in order to beat Japan's top team at the World Championships. The feeling seemed to be that USA is getting within range.
"We finished second, so we're a step closer," Victoria Anthony said. "But we are obviously a step below Japan. It's huge that the men did it (won the world title). It's like, hey, this is within everyone's grasp and we're so close right now. And the team I'm on with these girls. Everyone's always fired up. So I think we're the team to do it."
The meet was followed by a benefit dinner at the nearby Japanese American National Museum with both teams in attendance.
Yero Washington, executive director of Beat the Streets-Los Angeles, explained his motive for putting the dual meet together.
"We wanted to do a unique event," said Washington. "Specifically, I wanted to do something for the women. I feel it was about time that we did something that was exclusive to the women that we didn't kind of have to lean on the men to make an event. I don't think that takes place enough. And we want to inspire young girls so the community can be served. And say 'Hey, this is possible.'"
Results:
50 kg: Victoria Anthony (USA) tech. fall Kika Kagata (Japan), 10-0
76 kg: Rino Abo (Japan) dec. Victoria Francis (USA), 7-2
53 kg: Sarah Hildebrandt (USA) tech. fall Yuri Yonamine (Japan), 11-0
68 kg: Tamyra Mensah-Stock (USA) tech. fall Mai Hayakawa (Japan), 10-0
55 kg: Andoria Hanako Sawa (Japan) tech. fall Gracie Figueroa (USA), 13-2
65 kg: Miwa Morikawa (Japan) dec. Maya Nelson (USA), 11-2
57 kg: Kayla Miracle (USA) dec. Yoshimi Kayama (Japan), 10-4
62 kg: Mallory Velte (USA) dec. Atena Kodama (Japan), 6-0
59 kg: Kiwa Sakae (Japan) dec. Alli Ragan (USA), 5-2
72 kg: Adeline Gray (USA) tech. fall Mei Shindo (Japan), 10-0
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