Middleweight, Freestyle (≤63 kg), Women

Japan’s Kaori Icho was the overwhelming favorite, having won this title in 2004 and the last five World Championships. She won her first two matches by falls but then met Canada’s Martine Dugrenier in the semi-finals and was fortunate to win. The two wrestlers split the first two periods, and tied in the third period, 1-1, but Icho advanced because she had scored the last point. This advanced Icho to the final against Russian Alyona Kartashova, who was the current European Champion. Icho defended her gold medal easily, winning both the first two periods without giving up a point.

Icho would return in 2012 and win her third consecutive gold medal at London. She also would win World Championships in 2010-11 and 2013-14, and through 2014 had won over 150 consecutive matches. Her sister, Chiharu, won Olympic silver medals as a flyweight in 2004 and 2008.