Mio Nishimaki of Japan and Clarissa Chun of the United States captured their first major titles on the second day of the women's wrestling world championships on Sunday.
Nishimaki, 21, taking part in the world championships for the first time, pulled Lubov Volosova of Russia down to win the first period 5-0 and the second 4-0 in the 63-kg final.
"I targeted to win the gold medal in my first championships," said Nishimaki, who eliminated Paulina Grabowska of Poland, China's Meng Lili and Olesia Zamula of Azerbaijan on her way to the final.
Chun, who narrowly defeated favorite Makiko Sakamoto in the semifinals, finally claimed her biggest career title by beating Zhuldyz Eshimova Turtbayeva of Kazakhstan 1-0, 1-0 to win the 48-kg final.
"Very exciting," said the 27-year-old American, fifth in the Beijing Olympics. "I just tried to be strong mentally."
Sakamoto saved some face by winning the bronze medal when she defeated Kaya Demet of Turkey by a fall.
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