Elena Pirozhkova sinks in underhooks against Kristie Davis in the 63 kg finals at the 2011 U.S. Open. Larry Slater photo

A team of top U.S. women’s freestyle wrestlers will compete in the Mongolian National Wrestling Championships in Ulan Bator, Mongolia, April 30-May 1.

Six women who won the 2011 U.S. Open in Cleveland, Ohio earlier this month will participate on this tour.

2008 World Champion Clarissa Chun (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) will compete at 48 kg/105.5 lbs., along with 2010 World silver medalist Elena Pirozhkova (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) at 63 kg/138.75 lbs.

Past Junior World champions Whitney Conder (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) at 51 kg/112.25 lbs. and Adeline Gray (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) at 67 kg/147.5 lbs. will also be on the tour.

Helen Maroulis (Rockville, Md./New York AC), a two-time Junior World bronze medalist, will wrestle at 55 kg/121 lbs. Deanna Rix (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids), who placed fifth in the 2008 and 2009 World Championships, will also be on the U.S. team.

The Mongolian Wrestling Federation has opened its women’s national championship event to other nations, and have invited world powers from the United States, China, Japan, Russia, Canada, Korea and France to attend. This event will offer the U.S. competitors a chance to test themselves against some of the best athletes in the world.

“If you get these countries together, you have some of the best countries in the world at one event. It was an opportunity we couldn’t turn down and we are happy to be invited,” said National Women’s Coach Terry Steiner.

The Mongolian national team has made great strides in women’s wrestling in recent years.

“Mongolia had a World champion last year and a few athletes right in the mix. Mongolia is an up-and-coming program. They are a program that wants to be good, and are definitely on the way,” said Steiner.

The team will also participate in joint training with the Mongolian team and some of the other nations for four days after the competition. 

“The training provides even more benefit than the competition for us,” said Steiner. “You get a chance to feel that Asian style of wrestling, and it really is very different than ours. We need to wrestle with them.”

This event will provide another competition for the U.S. athletes prior to the U.S. World Team Trials in Oklahoma City, Okla., June 10-11. It also gives the U.S. women another chance to gain valuable international experience.

“We have to keep getting better. The only way you get better is to keep putting yourself back into that fire, and keep testing yourself against the best competition we can find,” said Steiner.

MONGOLIAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
At Ulan Bator, Mongolia, April 30-May 1

U.S. women’s freestyle roster
48 kg/105.5 lbs. - Clarissa Chun, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
51 kg/112.25 - Whitney Conder, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
55 kg/121 lbs. - Helen Maroulis, Rockville, Md. (New York AC)
59 kg/130 lbs. - Deanna Rix, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids)
63 kg/138.75 lbs. - Elena Pirozhkova, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC)
67 kg/147.5 lbs. - Adeline Gray, Colorado Springs, Colo. (New York AC)
National Women’s Coach - Terry Steiner, Colorado Springs, Colo.
Assistant National Women’s Coach – Izzy Izboinikov, Colorado Springs, Colo.

Mongolian National Championships event schedule
Local times in Mongolia

Saturday, April 30
9:00 am – 1:00 pm - Session #1(48 kg, 55 kg, 67 kg)
4:00 pm - Opening Ceremony
4:00 pm – 7:00 pm - Finals  (48 kg, 55 kg, 67 kg)

Sunday, May 1
9:00 am – 1:00 pm - Session #1 (51 kg, 59 kg, 63 kg, 72 kg)
3:30 am – 7:00 pm - Finals (51 kg, 59 kg, 63 kg, 72 kg)