Murata Defeats Wong In First Match of Special Women's Wrestle-Off

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John Fuller (USA Wrestling)
08/20/2002


 Colorado Springs, Colo. - Stephanie Murata (Minden, Nev./Sunkist Kids) defeated Jenny Wong (Stillwater, Minn./Sunkist Kids) 9-0 in the first match of a best-of-three Special Women's Wrestle-Off to determine who will represent the U.S. at 51 kg/112 lbs. on the 2002 Women's World Team at the Women's Freestyle World Championships in Halkida, Greece, November 1-2.    The two will square off in the second match at 1:30 pm on the second floor of building #2 at the U.S. Olympic Training Center in Colorado Springs, Colo.     Murata took a quick 1-0 lead on a single-leg takedown, but was unable to score from par terre. Both wrestlers had good scoring opportunities in the first period, but solid defense denied either wrestler from scoring until late in the period.    Murata opened up a big lead late in the first period, scoring another takedown and then using a two-point tilt and a two-point gut wrench to extend her lead to 6-0 heading into the second period.     Murata, a 2001 World silver medalist and is a five-time member of the Women's World Team, controlled the second period, scoring two takedowns and earning one point on a fleeing the mat call against Wong to come away with a 9-0 win.    Wong must win the second match to have a chance to earn her first spot on the U.S. Women's World Team.    Stephanie Murata, Minden, Nev. (Sunkist Kids) dec. Jenny Wong, Stillwater, Minn. (Sunkist Kids), 9-0  Play-by-play  0:15 - Murata single-leg takedown, 1-0  2:04 - Murata takedown, 2-0  2:06 - Murata 2-pt. tilt, 4-0  2:30 - Murata 2-pt. gut wrench, 6-0  4:04 - Murata takedown, 7-0  4:49 - Wong fleeing the mat, 8-0  5:54 - Murata takedown, 9-0