Forrest Molinari claimed the gold medal at 65 kilograms (Photo/Gabor Martin, United World Wrestling)ISTANBUL, Turkey -- On Friday, Forrest Molinari became America's first gold medalist at this year's Yasar Dogu in Istanbul, Turkey.
The 23-year-old Molinari picked up a 5-2 victory over Natalya Fedeoseeva of Russia, a multiple-time Ivan Yarygin medalist, in the gold-medal match at 65 kilograms.
Molinari, who trains with the Hawkeye Wrestling Club, scored first off the activity clock and led 1-0 at the break. In the second period, she extended her lead with a takedown, which she followed up with an exposure, but gave up two points in the process.
By winning a gold medal at the Yasar Dogu, Molinari has earned the No. 2 ranking for the World Championships in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan. The Yasar Dogu serves as a UWW Ranking Series event. Molinari placed fifth at last year's World Championships.
