Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Blessing Oborududu advanced to the semi-finals of the women’s 68kg freestyle wrestling event on Monday coming from behind to beat France and world No. 3 Koumba Larroque 6-2.
The Nigerian relied on her wits and experience to defy the home crowd and get past Koumba. Oborududu trailed 2-1 in the second period when she scored a takedown with 1:10 left. With Larroque pressing for the winning score, it was Oborududu who came up with a takedown to clinch the win.
To reach the quarter-finals, Oborududu defeated former Canada and former world champion Morais Linda 8-2 after trailing in the first period 2-0.
Morais, a former world champion scored a takedown in the first period of the game to go 2-0 up but Oborududu came out of the park stronger in the second period scoring three takedowns for an 8-2 victory.
To reach the quarter-finals, Koumba Larroque defeated New Zealand’s Tayla Ford 6-0.
