Day 4, Haley's Turn

Haley Augello took the mat in Rio as the United States' lone representative on Wednesday due to America failing to qualify in the other two women's weights. 

Her draw was not certainly full of easy opponents. The first round featured 2015 bronze medalist, Blazka (Netherlands), whom she dispatched 7-0. Her 2nd match was to eventual gold medalist who completed 4/4 in the cycle, Osaka (Japan). Haley frustrated her only giving up a shot clock point and then in the 2nd getting a beautiful takedown to take the lead. While going for a turn though, Haley's leg got stuck underneath causing her to be high. Osaka took advantage and got multiple turns out of it to take the insurmountable lead. 

In repechage, USA Wrestling's first appearance this Olympics, Haley had a 1st period with Eshimova (Kazahkstan) where nothing happened. Again, Haley was hit first with the shot clock trailing 1-0. In the 2nd, Haley pressed the action but gave up a counter go behind for two. She was able to get a takedown back driving a double out of bounds leaving the first passive the difference with almost two full minutes remaining. At the end of the match, Americans in the arena and on twitter were left furious to the lack of a passive call. There was not a single attack attempted from Eshimova including mostly just straight arm blocking. 

What we learned, Haley Augello at just 21 is truly world class at a very tough weight international weight class. She attacks and has a fighter's spirit to go along with her high talent level. This was just her first world or Olympic team, and the sky is the limit. It's too bad the officiating and rules were not different to where (like folkstyle) an appropriate stall call would have forced an overtime. However, we have a star in the making with Haley and American fans should be excited. 

Other notes:

Kaori Icho (Japan) becomes the first female Olympian to win gold in four Olympics, in any sport. Only three men have done it, all Americans. She needed to score a takedown late to do it, but that's what champions do. 

The women's wrestling was flat out entertaining today. Women from all over the globe and all backgrounds went out and scrapped. It was a lot of fun to watch and very impressive. 

Final Results
48 kg/105.5 lbs.
Gold – Eri Tosaka (Japan)
Silver – Mariya Stadnik (Azerbaijan)
Bronze – Yanan Sun (China)
Bronze – Elitsa Yankova (Bulgaria)
5th – Zhuidyz Eshimova (Kazakhstan)
5th – Patricia Bermudez (Argentina)
7th – Iwona Matkowska (Poland)
8th – Carolina Castillo Hildago (Colombia)
9th – Haley Augello (United States)
10th – Vinesh (India)

Medal Matches
Gold – Eri Tosaka (Japan) dec. Mariya Stadnik (Azerbaijan), 3-2
Bronze – Yanan Sun (China) tech. fall Zhuidyz Eshimova (Kazakhstan), 10-0
Bronze – Elitsa Yankova (Bulgaria) dec. Patricia Bermudez (Argentina), 7-6

58 kg/128 lbs.
Gold – Kaori Icho (Japan)
Silver – Valeria Koblova (Russia)
Bronze – Marwa Amri (Tunisia)
Bronze – Sakshi Malik (India)
5th – Yuliya Ratkevich (Azerbaijan)
5th – Aisuluu Tynybekova (Kyrgyzstan)
7th – Orkhon Purevdorj (Mongolia)
8th – Jackeline Renteria Castillo (Colombia)
9th – Elif Jale Yesilirmak (Turkey)
10th – Petra Olli (Finland)

Medal Matches
Gold – Kaori Icho (Japan) dec. Valeria Koblova (Russia), 3-2
Bronze – Marwa Amri (Tunisia) dec. Yuliya Ratkevich (Azerbaijan), 6-3
Bronze – Sakshi Malik (India) dec. Aisuluu Tynybekova (Kyrgyzstan), 8-5

69 kg/152 lbs.
Gold – Sara Dosho (Japan)
Silver – Natalia Vorobieva (Russia)
Bronze – Elmira Syzdykova (Kazakhstan)
Bronze – Jenny Fransson (Sweden)
5th – Enas Ahmed (Egypt)
5th – Dorothy Yeats (Canada)
7th – Buse Tosun (Turkey)
8th – Nasanburmaa Ochirbat (Mongolia)
9th – Aline Focken (Germany)
10th – Gilda Maria De Oliveira (Brazil)

Medal Matches
Gold – Sara Dosho (Japan) dec. Natalia Vorobieva (Russia), 2-2
Bronze – Elmira Syzdykova (Kazakhstan) dec. Enas Ahmed (Egypt), 7-4
Bronze – Jenny Fransson (Sweden) dec. Dorothy Yeats (Canada), 2-1

U.S. women’s freestyle results
48 kg/105.5 lbs. – Haley Augello, Lockport, Ill. (New York AC)
WIN Jessica Blaszka (Netherlands), 7-0
LOSS Eri Tosaka (Japan), 11-2
LOSS Zhuidyz Eshimova (Kazakhstan), 3-2