Maria Louiza Gkika was the standout athlete on the fifth day of the U17 World Wrestling Championship held in Athens. Amid cheers from hundreds of spectators at the “House of Wrestling” in Ano Liosia, the young Greek champion secured the bronze medal in the 46kg category, defeating Ukraine’s Kamila Kutska with a score of 4-3.

Gkika entered the mat determined and, within about a minute, took an early 4-0 lead with an impressive move. Despite a comeback attempt by her Ukrainian opponent, Gkika held her ground with confidence and composure, clinching victory at 4-3. Notably, the second bronze medal in the category went to Jacqueline Bouzakis, an American of Greek descent.

On her path to the bronze medal, Gkika defeated Lara Blazekovic (Croatia), Elanur Berber (Turkey), and was beaten by Janka Silei (Hungary).

The Greek champion dedicated her medal to her parents, her coach Moisen Pariei, and to Maria Prevolaraki, who supports her in training.

Elsewhere, Konstantinos Michailidis was defeated by Azerbaijani Mikayilov, who advanced to the final of the 65kg category, giving the Greek wrestler a chance to compete in the repechage round tomorrow (August 2).

In other matches:

• Yiannis Kesidis (55kg) lost to Singh from India and was eliminated.
• Angelos Kamagiannis (48kg) was defeated by Bagandirov from Kyrgyzstan.
• Giorgos Managkatze (110kg) lost to Izakkhar from Azerbaijan.
• Konstantinos Mourtzilakis (80kg) was beaten by Shiotsuka from Japan.
• Elli Anna Seitaridou (69kg) lost to Petryf from Ukraine.
• Maria Vandoula (53kg) was defeated by Spahica from Kosovo.

Tomorrow’s (August 2) matches will feature Michailidis in the repechage and new bouts from Alexandros Seretidis (45kg), Michail Kokologiannnis (51kg), Pavlos Diantiadis (60kg), Hector Sizo (71kg), and Charilaos Chaitidis (92kg).

The championship is organized by the Hellenic Wrestling Federation, under the auspices of the Region of Attica.