Tatiana Padilla (pictured) was one of the three U.S. winners in the Women's World Cup final dual against China

LIEVAN, France – China defended its Women’s World Cup team title by edging the United States, 4-3, in the championship dual meet at the Women’s World Cup on Sunday. 

This was a rematch of the 2010 Women’s World Cup final, won by China, 6-1.

China jumped to an early 2-0 win with victories at 48 kg/105.5 lbs. and 51 kg/112.25 pounds, but the United States bounced back with wins at the next two weight classes.

Two-time World bronze medalist Tatiana Padilla (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) defeated 2010 Asian champion Senlian Yang of China at 55 kg/121 lbs.

Kelsey Campbell (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) won the next bout at 59 kg/130 lbs., stopping 2010 World Military champion Li Hui of China.

China clinched the team title with victories in the next two bouts at 63 kg/138.75 lbs. and 67 kg/147.5 pounds.

2008 U.S. Olympian Ali Bernard (New Ulm, Minn./Gator WC) closed out the dual for the United States with a win over Xu Qing at 72 kg/158.5 lbs.

The key to the victory for China was three wins over past World medalists from the United States.

At 48 kg/105.5 lbs., 2007 World bronze medalist Li Xiomei defeated 2008 World champion Clarissa Chun (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids).

At 63 kg/138.75 lbs., 2006 and 2007 World champion Jing Ruixue stopped 2010 World silver medalist Elena Pirozhkova (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC).

At 67 kg/147.5 lbs., 2008 World silver medalist Hong Yan of China stopped 2000 and 2003 World champion Kristie Davis (Oklahoma City, Okla./Gator WC/OCU).

Japan placed third with a 6-1 win over Canada. Mongolia was fifth, beating Russia, 6-1. Kazakhstan placed seventh with a 4-3 win over host France.

WOMEN'S WORLD CUP
at Lievin, France, March 6

FIRST PLACE – China 4, USA 3
48 kg/105.5 lbs. – Li Xiomei (China) dec. Clarissa Chun (USA), 2-0, 1-0
51 kg/112.25 lbs. – Yanan Sun (China) dec. Whitney Conder (USA), 1-0, 2-0
55 kg/121 lbs. – Tatiana Padilla (USA) dec. Senlian Yang (China), 1-0, 1-0
59 kg/130 lbs. – Kelsey Campbell (USA) dec. Li Hui (China), 1-0, 0-1, 1-0
63 kg/138.75 lbs. – Jing Ruixue (China) dec. Elena Pirozhkova (USA), 4-0, 4-0
67 kg/147.5 lbs. – Hong Yan (China) dec. Kristie Davis (USA), 7-0, 4-0
72 kg/158,5 lbs. – Ali Bernard (USA) dec. Xu Qing (China), 3-2, 4-4, 3-2

THIRD PLACE – Japan 6, Canada 1
48 kg/105.5 lbs. – Hitomi Sakamoto (Japan) dec. Lindsay Rushton (Canada)
51 kg/112.25 lbs. – Jessica Bondy (Canada) dec. Hikari Sugawara (Japan)
55 kg/121 lbs. – Chikako Matsukawa (Japan) dec. Samantha Stewart (Canada)
59 kg/130 lbs. – Takako Saito (Japan) dec. Amanda Gerhardt (Canada)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. – Kaori Icho (Japan) dec. Justine Bouchard (Canada)
67 kg/147.5 lbs. – Yoshiko Inoue (Japan) dec. Megan Buydens (Canada)
72 kg/158.5 lbs. – Kyoko Hamaguchi (Japan) dec. Leah Callahan (Canada)

FIFTH PLACE – Mongolia 6, Russia 1
48 kg/105.5 lbs. – Ganchimeg Chuluunbaatar (Mongolia) dec. Lubov Kuzmina (Russia)
51 kg/112.25 lbs. – Davaasukh Otgotsetseg (Mongolia) dec. Lubov Salnikova (Russia)
55 kg/121 lbs. – Byambatsere Sundev (Mongolia) dec. Irina Kissel (Russia)
59 kg/130 lbs. – Anna Polovneva (Russia) dec. Battsetseg Soronzonbold (Mongolia)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. – Tumentsetseg Sharkhuu (Mongolia) dec. Alena Kartashova (Russia)
67 kg/147.5 lbs. – Nasanburmaa Ochirbat (Mongolia) dec. Darina Sanzheeva (Russia)
72 kg/158.5 lbs. – Burmaa Ochirbat (Mongolia) dec. Ekatarina Bukina (Russia)

SEVENTH PLACE – Kazakhstan 4, France 3
48 kg/105.5 lbs. – Zhuldyz Eshimova (Kazakhstan) dec. Fathoumata Yattabare (France)
51 kg/112.25 lbs. – Aurelie Basset (France) dec. Gulmira Iskakova (Kazakhstan)
55 kg/121 lbs. – Anna Gomis (France) dec. Aiym Abdildina (Kazakhstan)
59 kg/130 lbs. – Olga Kalanina (Kazakhstan) dec. Maite De Valiere (France)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. – Aurelie Gerlac (France) dec. Tatyana Zakharova (Kazakhstan)
67 kg/147.5 lbs. – Yelena Shalygina (Kazakhstan) dec. Mariana Kolic (France)
72 kg/158.5 lbs. – Guzel Manyurova (Kazakhstan) dec. Cynthia Vescan (France)