Ashley Hudson competing at the 2011 WCWA Women's College Nationals. Tony Rotundo photo

JALANDHAR CITY, India – Ashley Hudson (Wildwood, Mo./OCU/Gator WC) won a silver medal at 55 kg/121 lbs. on the final day of the 2011 Shaheed Bhagat Singh International Freestyle Wrestling Tournament on Saturday.

Hudson was defeated in the gold-medal match by Ritu Malik of India, 1-2, 2-1, 1-2. Malik was a 2009 Asian Cadet champion.

She reached the finals by defeating Promila Devi of India, 2-0, 3-1 in the semifinals.

“Ashley wrestled tough throughout the tournament and carried the action in her bouts,” said U.S. coach Dr. Dave Bennett. “She is a strong competitor and I think will have a bright future.”

Hudson won the 59 kg/130 lbs. title at the 2011 WCWA Women’s College Nationals competing for Oklahoma City University, and was named Outstanding Wrestler.

Finishing with a 2-2 record but falling short of the medal rounds was Joe Johnston (Columbia, Mo./MWF) at 66 kg/145.5 lbs. Johnson won bouts over Isaac Boaz of Nigeria and Kazuhiko Ikematsu of Japan. Ikematsu was fifth in the 2004 Olympic Games.

Johnston lost two close three-period matches to opponents from India.

In his second match, Johnston lost a controversial decision to Amit Kumar of India, 1-1, 3-0, 3-4. Johnston did not receive points for exposure on a move at the end of the match which would have given him the win. Kumar was a 2007 Commonwealth runner-up in both styles.

In his second repechage bout, Johnston lost to Rajul Mann of India, 2-5, 3-0, 4-4. Mann was a 2009 Asian Junior silver medalist.

Melissa Simmons (Ridgefield, Wash./OCU/Gator WC) went 0-2 at 72 kg/158.5 lbs. Her first loss was to two-time World bronze medalist Ifeoma Iheanacho of Nigeria.

The U.S. won three medals in the tournament, with only eight total entries. The USA had two medals on Thursday, with Wynn Michalak (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) taking a silver at 96 kg/211.5 lbs. in men’s freestyle and Nicole Woody (Odenton, Md./OCU/Gator WC) taking a bronze at 48 kg/105.5 lbs.

SHAHEED BHAGAT SINGH INTERNATIONAL 
at Jalandhar City, India, Feb. 12

U.S. performances on Saturday

66 kg/145.5 lbs . Men – Joe Johnston, Columbia, Mo. (MWF), dnp
WIN Isaac Boaz (Nigeria), 2-2, 5-0
LOSS Amit Kumar (India), 1-1, 3-0, 3-4
WIN Kazuhiko Ikematsu (Japan), 4-5, 5-1, 8-1
LOSS Rajul Mann (India), 2-5, 3-0, 4-4

55 kg/121 lbs. Women – Ashley Hudson, Wildwood, Mo. (OCU/Gator WC), 2nd
WIN Promila Devi (India), 2-0, 3-1
LOSS Ritu Malik (India), 1-2, 2-1, 1-2

72 kg/158.5 lbs. Women – Melissa Simmons, Ridgefield, Wa. (OCU/Gator WC), dnp
LOSS Ifeoma Iheanacho (Nigeria), 0-1, 0-3
LOSS Kharab (India), 0-2, 2-1, 0-2