By Beau Dure, USATODAY.com
Japanese wrestler Kyoko Hamaguchi has won five world titles. Coming into the 158.5-pound final against Hamaguchi in Budapest, Iris Smith had none.
Smith had only been to the World Championships once before ” in 2000. She earned a spot again in 2001 but missed the tournament to attend basic training in the Army, her USA Wrestling bio says. Now a sergeant in the Army, she has continued to wrestle and has a couple of international wins.
None bigger than this.
Smith stunned Hamaguchi with a three-point takedown in the first period and held on to win the period 3-1. She took the lead in the second period with a one-point move and was threatening to close out the match before Hamaguch fought back with a point to win the period.
In the tense third period, Smith and Hamaguchi waited through a video replay that awarded a point to the American. Smith shut out the five-time champion the rest of the way and won her first world title.
For her efforts, Smith is USATODAY.com’s U.S. Olympic Athlete of the Week.
The U.S. finished second in the medal count, thanks to six bronze-medal winners (freestyle unless noted): Justin Ruiz (211.5, Greco-Roman), Joe Williams (163), Tolly Thompson (264.5), Sally Roberts (130), Sara McMann (138.75), Katie Downing (147.5).
Other wrestlers in the championships: Mo Lawal (7th, 185), Jenny Wong (7th, 105.5), Stephanie Murata (7th, 112.25), Joe Warren (9th, 132, Greco-Roman), Sammie Henson (second round, 121), Daniel Cormier (second round, 211.5), Lindsey Durlacher (second round, 121, Greco-Roman), Dremiel Byers (second round, 264.5, Greco-Roman), Tina George (second round, 121), Michael Lightner (first round, 132), Chris Bono (first round, 145.5), Harry Lester (first round, 145.5, Greco-Roman), T.C. Dantzler (first round, 163, Greco-Roman), Brad Vering (first round, 185, Greco-Roman
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