Shai, Glaude Top U.S. Finishers at Olympic Test Event in Tokyo

Katherine Shai battles Sarah Hildebrandt last June at Final X. Shai took 5th at the Olympic Test Event in Tokyo. Photo courtesy of Tony Rotundo / WrestlersAreWarriors.com

by Derek Levendusky, AWW staff writer

USA Wrestling sent five women to compete in the Olympic Test Event in Tokyo earlier this month, October 3-5th. 50 kg Victoria Anthony, 53 kg Katherine Shai, 62 kg Mallory Velte, 68 kg Alexandria Glaude, and 76 kg Hannah Gladden all traveled to the far side of the world to test their mettle against some of the world’s best. Shai and Glaude were the top U.S. finishers, each taking 5th.

What is the “Olympic Test Event”? In their own words, Tokyo2020.org writes: “A test event is a dress rehearsal to confirm and improve the competition and Games operation capabilities in order to ensure a successful operation during the Olympic and Paralympic Games. Test events have usually been held prior to past Games and will also be carried out in preparation for the Tokyo 2020 Games. The test events will be organized by the International Federations and the National Federations as well as by the Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee.”

US finishes in Tokyo:

50 kg Victoria Anthony - 7th place
L Remina Yoshimoto (JPN) 4-3

53 kg Katherine Shai - 5th place
W Ibuki Horishna (UKR) 11-2
L Umi Imai (JPN) 10-2
Bronze Match: L Ibuki Tamura (JPN) - 7-3

62 kg Mallory Velte - 7th place
L Xingru Pei (CHN) 4-1

68 kg Alexandria Glaude - 5th place
W Feng Zhou (CHN) by fall
L Xiaoqian Wang (CHN) 6-0
Bronze Match: L Rudnytska (UKR) 4-3

76 kg Hannah Gladden - 8th place
L Mizuki Nagashima (JPN) 4-1