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.