Downing wins gold medal at Tourcoing Grand Prix in France
John Fuller/USA Wrestling
Tourcoing, France – Katie Downing (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) captured a gold medal at the Tourcoing Grand Prix in France on Sunday, leading a U.S. squad that won three medals overall.
Downing rolled through her three opponents at 67 kg/147.5 lbs. on her way to the gold medal.
In the first round, she defeated 2004 African national champion Kaouther Chanmi of Tunisia, 5-0, 7-0. In the semifinals, Downing shut out 2004 University World silver medalist Monika Maj of Poland, 3-0, 2-0 before defeating Benita Zarzecka of Poland, 3-1, 7-2, in the gold-medal bout.
Also winning medals for the U.S. were Sara Fulp-Allen (El Granada, Calif./Menlo College) at 48 kg/105.5 lbs. and Stefanie Shaw (Waterford, Conn./New England Elite) at 63 kg/138.75 lbs.
Fulp-Allen’s only loss in four matches came to eventual champion Iwona Sadowaka of Poland, 0-3, 0-3. Sadowaka was a 2004 University World silver medalist.
Shaw defeated 2003 African national champion Soumaya Ben Sassi of Tunisia, 5-0, 3-0 to win a bronze medal. Her only loss came to Nadia Moussaoui of France, who has twice placed fifth at the University World Championships, 1-3, 1-2.
Malinda Ripley (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) placed fifth at 55 kg/121 lbs. and N’Tasha Umemoto (Portland, Ore./Sunkist Kids) placed ninth at 59 kg/130 lbs. for the U.S. team.
Wrestling Gear
