Hildebrandt earns fifth World Wrestling medal, still seeking gold
Sarah Hildebrandt’s collection of world wrestling medals grew to five this week, as the Penn High School graduate earned a bronze in the 50 Kg (110 pound) weight class at the World Wrestling Championships in Belgrade, Serbia.
Hildebrandt defeated Evin Demirhan of Turkey, 5-0, in Wednesday’s third-place bout
She was in control throughout the match. Hildebrandt led 3-0 at the break with a takedown and a shot clock point. She added a second-period takedown for the final margin of victory.
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As always, Hildebrandt was hoping for a gold medal, but in the semifinals, Hildebrandt was edged by two-time World medalist Otgonjargal Dolgorjav of Mongolia, 7-5.
In that semifinal match, Dolgorjav was able to take down Hildebrandt and turn her twice, jumping to a 7-1 lead. Two late Hildebrandt takedowns were not enough to close the gap.
To reach the semifinals, Hildebrandt had defeated Miseon Kwon of Korea by tech fall, 10-0, and Mariya Stabnik of Azerbaijan, also by tech fall, 14-3.
In finishing third, Hildebrandt at least gives herself another chance next year, at the Olympics in Paris. By winning a medal at the World meet, Hildebrandt qualifies a US entry in her weight class (50 Kg) for the Olympics. She will still have to advance from next year’s US Olympic Trials.
Hildebrandt, a 2011 Penn graduate who grew up in Granger, has now won four medals at World Championship events, two silver and two bronze. Add in her 2020 Olympic bronze medal, and Hildebrandt has won five World and Olympic medals total.
This article originally appeared on South Bend Tribune: Sarah Hildebrandt collects another medal at World Wrestling in Serbia
