European Games: Epp Mäe won wrestling bronze

28.06.2019
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28.06.2019
Estonian women's freestyle wrestler Epp Mäe picked up a bronze medal at the European Games in Minsk, Belarus on Friday, after defeating Natalja Vorobeva of Russia 5:3.

The Estonian had started the tournament well with two wins, though controversy surrounded her semi-final defeat against local Belarusian competitor, and eventual tournament winner, Vasilisa Marzaliuk. After losing that bout, Mäe was left to face Vorobeva for bronze.

Vorobeva was leading eight seconds before the end 3-1 but Mäe’s last second attack gave her 4 points and bronze medal.

“I knew I had to attack, I had no choice but to win. The opponent was expecting my attack and as I had been training with her at the same training camp before the European Games she could expect exactly where I was planning to do it. But I did surprise her with abnormal move and she didn’t see it coming. Everything went smoothly and I got the necessary points,” Mäe said.

Mäe's bronze was one of two awarded in the competition, with the other going to Norwegian Iselin Solheim.

The medal also adds to Mäe's collection of bronzes she has picked up so far – at the 2015 World Championships and the 2017 European Championships