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OLYMPICS WOMEN'S PREVIEW World silver medalist Elena Pirozhkova. Long-time Japanese star Hitomi Sakamoto is the favorite in the lightest women's division. Sakamoto dominated on the World level 48 kg/105.5 lbs. at 51 kg/112.25 lbs. before dropping down to win World titles at 48 kilos the past two years. She will wrestle in her first Olympics. Sakomoto defeated Azerbaijan's Mariya Stadnyk in the World finals last year. China's Shasha Zhao and Kazakhstan's sent Sweden. American Kelsey Campbell dropped down a weight class to make the U.S. Team. She beat Helen Maroulis, who placed fifth in the 2011 Worlds, to make the Olympic Team. at 59 kg/130 lbs., and has the ability to win a medal in London. 63 kg/138.75 lbs. Campbell placed fifth in the 2010 Worlds Zhuldyz Eshimova won World bronze medals in 2011. Veteran Carol Huynh of Canada won an Olympic gold medal in 2008 and continues to excel. Huynh was third in the World in 2010 and fifth in 2011. American Clarissa Chun had the best year of her career in 2008. She reached the Olympic semifinals before placing fifth, and then followed by winning a World title later that year. Chun has been slowed by injuries since legend, having won two Olympic titles in addition to seven World titles. Hungary's Marianna Sastin finished sec- Japan's Kaori Icho is another Japanese ond to Icho at the 2011 Worlds with Mongolia's Nasanburmaa Ochirbat and China's Ruixue Jing claiming bronze medals. Icho at the 2010 Worlds, is a legitimate threat to win a gold medal in this division. Pirozhkova was fifth in the 2011 Worlds American Elena Pirozhkova, second to 2008, but she's healthy again and ready to make a run at winning a medal in London. She placed seventh in the 2011 Worlds. 55 kg/121 lbs. and beat World bronze medalist Adeline Gray to make the U.S. Olympic Team. 72 kg/158.5 lbs. Japan's Saori Yoshida may be the best women's wrestler of all-time. She has won both Olympic titles in this weight class, and owns nine World titles. Yoshida has dominating this weight class, most consistent performer in this division. Zlateva won her second straight World Bulgaria's Stanka Zlateva has been the title, and fifth overall, last season. She fin- ished second at the 2008 Olympics. Russia's Ekaterina Bukina won a World but she survived a close call to beat Canada's Tonya Verbeek in the World finals in 2011. Verbeek won an Olympic silver medal in 2004 before earning an Olympic bronze medal in 2008. Ukraine's Tetyana Lazereva and Sweden's Ida-Theres Nerell won World bronze medals in this class in 2011. Past World champion Sofia Mattson may repre- silver medal last year with American Ali Bernard and Vasilisa Marzaliuk of Belarus capturing bronze medals. American Ali Bernard turned in the best performance of her career in winning a bronze medal at the 2011 World Championships. Bernard placed fifth in the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China. She is a definite medal threat in London. 24 - 2012 USA Wrestling Media Guide