Elena Pirozhkova (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) has been named TheMat.com Wrestler of the Week for Sept. 7-13.

Each week, TheMat.com will select an Athlete of the Week, based upon performance within wrestling for that week. The selection committee will consider any level of wrestling, from youth programs through the Senior level.

Pirozhkova won a silver medal at the World Championships on Sept. 9 in Moscow, Russia. Pirozhkova won her first World medal in women’s freestyle wrestling at 63 kg/138.75 lbs.

The Russian-born Pirozhkova, 23, beat two-time World silver medalist Lubov Volosova of Russia 1-0, 1-0 in the semifinals before falling to Japanese legend Kaori Icho 1-1, 3-0 in the gold-medal match.

Pirozhkova took a 1-0 lead in the finals before falling to Icho, who won her sixth World title. Icho is a two-time Olympic champion.

Pirozhkova, 23, was competing in her third straight World Championships.

Note: To nominate a wrestler for TheMat.com Wrestler of the Week, send the athlete's name, accomplishments for the week and career accomplishments to Craig Sesker at csesker@usawrestling.org