MOSCOW, Russia – Three U.S. women’s freestyle wrestlers have weighed in and received their draws at the World Wrestling Championships for competition on Thursday at the Olympiysky Sports Complex.

2008 World bronze medalist Tatiana Padilla (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) opens her competition at 55 kg/121 lbs. against Zalena Sidakova of Belarus, who was fifth in the 2009 Junior World Championships. 

Padilla is in her third World Championships. She also placed fifth at the 2009 World Championships. Padilla also boasts a number of Junior World medals.

Also competing in her third World Championships is Elena Pirozhkova (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) at 63 kg/138.75 lbs. Pirozhkova opens against Tatiana Zakharova of Kazakhstan, who was an Asian Junior bronze medalist in 2009.

Pirozhkova seeks her first World medal. She is a past University World champion.

At 59 kg/130 lbs., Kelsey Campbell (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) opens against Ludmilla Cristea of Moldova, who has twice placed fifth in the World Championships. Campbell is wrestling in her first World Championships.

“We have to open up from the start of the match. We have to bring an attitude to the mat and let things fly,” said National Women’s Coach Terry Steiner. “We need to focus on one match at a time, one period at a time and one point at a time. We have to be relentless and attack. If we do that, we will have a great day.”

U.S. women’s freestyle draws for Thursday

55 kg/121 lbs. – Tatiana Padilla, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
Vs. Zalena Sidakova (Belarus)

59 kg/130 lbs. – Kelsey Campbell, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
Vs. Ludmilla Cristea (Moldova)

63 kg/138.75 lbs. – Elena Pirozhkova, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
Vs. Tatiana Zakharova (Kazakhstan)