Elena Pirozhkova (far right) receives a bronze medal at the Mongolian Nationals at 63 kg on Sunday.

ULAN BAATOR, Mongolia – Elena Pirozhkova (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC) won a bronze medal at 63 kg/138.75 lbs. on the final day of the Mongolian National Wrestling Championships on Sunday.

Pirozhkova, a 2010 World silver medalist, defeated Tungalag Munkhtuya of Mongolia, 2-0, 4-0 in the bronze-medal bout.

Pirozhkova opened with two dominant wins, but was defeated in the semifinals by Bettsetseg Soronzonbold of Mongolia, who was the 2010 World champion at 59 kg/130 lbs., by a 0-1, 0-7 score.

“Elena gave Battsetseg a lot of respect today. I understand respect, and she is an opponent that deserves it but not to the point where you hold back and don't show your best. Today, Elena didn't give herself enough credit in the semifinal match. We wrestled a little tentative and unsure of ourself. Elena will be better because of today and has to understand that she can respect but not fear,” said National Women’s Coach Terry Steiner.

Deanna Rix (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) placed fifth at 59 kg/130 lbs. with a 3-2 record on the day. She was defeated in a bronze-medal bout by Gua Ya Mei of China, 0-1, 1-2. Rix was fifth in the 2008 and 2009 World Championshipw, while Gua was second in the 2009 Asian Championships.

Rix opened with pins over Mongolian wrestlers Onon and Nyamgerel, but was beaten in the quarterfinals by Adeline Vescan of France, 0-1, 1-1. Vescan was fifth in 2011 European Championships. Rix rebounded with a win in the repechage rounds to advance to the bronze-medal bout. 

“Deanna had some great moments today. She opened up and scored an offensive takedown today in every match but the third-place match which is a big step for her. Deanna lost in a couple situations trying to protect a lead instead of continuing to wrestle. She will learn from this experience,” said Steiner.

At 51 kg/112.25 lbs., Whitney Conder (Colorado Springs, Colo./Gator WC), lost her only bout of the day to Marina Vilmova of Russia, 2-4, 1-4 in the quarterfinals. Conder was eliminated when Vilmova failed to reach the finals. Vilmova was fifth in the 2008 World Championships. 

“Whitney is a street fighter. She has to bring intensity, fire and purpose to her match to make everything work and today she was missing that aspect of her wrestling. Whitney will have better days ahead but must make some changes,” said Steiner.

Steiner did not believe the U.S. athletes competing on Sunday had their best possible performance.

“We did not compete well today. We wrestled tentatively, we wrestled with hesitancy, and in some cases we wrestled not to lose. Most of what we leave with today are some things we need to work on with our mental approach to the match and our tactical approach. I think we are a lot better than we showed today,” he said.

The Mongolian Wrestling Federation opened its women’s national championship event to other nations this year. The United States brought six of its 2011 U.S. Open champions to compete, as well as participate in an international training camp, which will take place this coming week.

The U.S. finished the tournament with four medals. On Saturday, the USA had two individual champions, Helen Maroulis (Rockville, Md./New York AC) at 55 kg/121 lbs. and Adeline Gray (Colorado Springs, Colo./New York AC) at 67 kg/147.5 lbs., plus a bronze medalist in Clarissa Chun (Colorado Springs, Colo./Sunkist Kids) at 48 kg/105.5 lbs.

“We came here to learn a little about ourselves and I think we did. Now we get back to work. We will have a great week of training to advance our wrestling, and that is what we will do,” said Steiner.

MONGOLIAN NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS
At Ulan Bator, Mongolia, May 1

U.S. women’s freestyle performances

51 kg/112.25 - Whitney Conder, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC), dnp
LOSS Marina Vilmova (Russia), 2-4, 1-4

59 kg/130 lbs. - Deanna Rix, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Sunkist Kids), 5th
WIN Onon (Mongolia), pin 1st period
WIN C. Nyamgerel (Mongolia), pin 2:00
LOSS Adeline Vescan (France), 0-1, 1-1
WIN Otgontogs Tsend-Khuu (Mongolia), 2-1, 2-0
LOSS Gua Ya Mei (China), 0-1, 1-2

63 kg/138.75 lbs. - Elena Pirozhkova, Colorado Springs, Colo. (Gator WC), 2nd
WIN Min-Wen (Chinese Taipei), 1-0, pin 2nd period
WIN Erdenetungalag (Mongolia), 1-0, 6-0
LOSS Bettsetseg Soronzonbold (Mongolia), 0-1, 0-7
WIN Tungalag Munkhtuya (Mongolia), 2-0, 4-0