The United States captured one of three dual meets during the first day of the Women's World Cup of freestyle wrestling, Friday, October 8 in Tokyo, Japan.    The U.S. defeated India, 23-6, to open the tournament. The team then was defeated by host Japan, 19-9, then China, 15-13.    The U.S. is scheduled to face Canada and Russia on the final day of the tournament on Saturday.     The team competed with just six of the seven weight classes filled, after Toccara Montgomery (Cleveland, Ohio/New York AC) did not make weight at 72 kg/158.5 lbs.    Against India, all six U.S. wrestlers won their matches handily, with three pins and two technical falls among the victories.    Against Japan, the U.S. winners were 2003 World bronze medalist Sally Roberts (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) at 59 kg/130 lbs. and 2001 World Cup champion Katie Downing (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 67 kg/147.5 lbs.    Roberts defeated four-time World Champion Seiko Yamamoto by a 7-6 margin. Roberts jumped to a 6-1 lead, only to see Yamamoto battle back to tie the score at 6-6. Roberts scored the final point for the clutch win. Roberts was a World Cup champion last year.     Downing scored a first-period pin over Norie Saito in 1:18 for the other U.S. victory.    There was an exciting and highly skilled match at 55 kg/121 lbs., where 2004 Olympic champion Saori Yoshida stopped O'Donnell by a 12-5 margin. Yoshida jumped to a 5-1 lead, but O'Donnell fought back to tie the match at 5-5. In one active exchange, Yoshida scored five points on the mat to take a 10-5 lead and went on to win. The quality of the action pleased the fans and coaches.    Against China, three U.S. wrestlers claimed three victories: Stephanie Murata (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 51 kg/112.25 lbs., 2000 Olympian Tela O'Donnell (Colorado Springs, Colo./Dave Schultz WC) at 55 kg/121 lbs. and Alaina Berube (Escanaba, Mich./New York AC) at 63 kg/138.75 lbs.    Murata scored a 11-0 technical fall over Tan Dongmei. O'Donnell defeated 2000 Olympian Sun Dongmei, 8-4. Berube scored a first-period pin over Jia Yafeng in 58 seconds. Both teams won three bouts, but the U.S. forfeit at 72 kg/158.5 lbs. gave the team victory to the Chinese team.    The hosts from the Japanese Wrestling Federation changed the competition schedule after the weighins, moving the U.S. vs. Japan showdown from the last bout of the tournament to Friday instead.    "I think we have competed hard to this point. It won't show in the team score, however," said National Freestyle Coach Terry Steiner. "The women are going out and laying it on the line. We are competing tough. We have made some mistakes and lost some close matches."    "I think Tela O'Donnell is wrestling well and fighting hard. For her to beat Dongmei of China, and then wrestle the match she had against Olympic champion Yoshida was outstanding. For Sally Roberts to beat Seiko Yamamoto was also a great performance," said Steiner.    At the conclusion of the action on Saturday, team standings will be determined based upon the results of all the dual meets of the tournament. In addition, individual medals will be awarded at each weight class.    Host Japan swept all three dual meets on the first day, defeating the USA, Canada and India. The United States is the defending World Cup team champions. Japan won the first two World Cups held in 2001 and 2002.    Results will be posted on a different web page than previously reported. There are stories, photos and results on this new web location:  http://www5f.biglobe.ne.jp/~JWF2004/English/2004/000.htm