Colombia’s Renteria and Azerbaijan’s Ratkevich Take Wrestling Bronze

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Colombia’s Jackeline Renteria won her second Olympic bronze as Azerbaijan’s Ratkevich also took bronze in the women’s 55 kilogram freestyle wrestling Thursday.

Colombia’s Jackeline Renteria won her second Olympic bronze as Azerbaijan’s Yuliya Ratkevich also took bronze in the women’s 55 kilogram freestyle wrestling Thursday.

Renteria beat Ukraine’s Tetyana Lazareva, twice a losing finalist at the world championships, 3-1 on points while former 59 kg world champion Ratkevich beat Russia’s 19-year-old Valeria Zholobova 3-0.

"This is fantastic, I have worked so hard for this," said Renteria.

"I always knew I had the capabilities to do this and I have now won a second bronze medal which was an absolutely fantastic moment. I also have to thank god for everything he's done for me."

For Renteria, the turning point came at the end of the second round, which ended scoreless, leading to a clinch tie-break drawn in Lazareva’s favor.

Renteria overturned the Ukrainian’s advantage to record a throw of her own to take the round, which was only confirmed after a video appeal from Lazareva was rejected.

Renteria went two points ahead late in the third round and took the win 3-1 overall, giving Colombia their sixth medal of the 2012 Olympics, already the country’s most successful ever.

In the second bronze medal match, Ratkevich won the first round 6-0 at Zholobova was outclassed, before scraping the second round 2-1 to wrap up victory.

"Before the match I did not believe that I could win," said Ratkevich. "I am so happy. I would like to embrace my family and all who supported me."

Canada’s Tonya Lynn Verbeek faces Japan’s Saori Yoshi in the final later Thursday.

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