Iris Nihti was crowned women’s lightweight world champion after a tight final.
Iris Nihti from Espoo is the freestyle world champion! IMMAF
Iris Nihti, 25, was crowned freestyle world champion on Friday in Belgrade.
Competing in the women’s lightweight category (70.3 kg), Nihti was allowed to take full three sets for her World Championship gold medal in Serbia.
Final opponent Isabelle McGaughey clearly gave Nihdi the toughest challenge during the Games.
The end of the opening set was a hard exchange of blows, both took and gave gloves.
During the second three minutes, the Briton caught the plot and hit Nihti’s head with accurate shots. However, the round ended with the Finn’s wrestling style, when he took McGaughey against the cage and delivered blows.
The third was the deciding set of the championship. Nihti hit skillfully with his forehand and took the tired Brit to the mat a minute and a half before the end. Nihti gained side control and kept the opponent on his back for almost the entire rest of the set.
Both contestants raised the flags of their countries on straight hands towards the sky.
The verdict was announced: by unanimous decision, victory for the red corner, Finland.
Nihti’s achievement is significant. It ended a long streak without a gold medal for Finland. The previous Finnish freestyle adult world champion was Abdul Hussein from 2016.
In his semifinal, Nihti grabbed a quick come-from-behind win in the first set. The place in the final was awarded with points after a dominating performance in the semi-final.
Nihti represents the Kehähais of Espoo.
Finland won two medals from the Games, both gold. Only 18 years old Sani Brannfors was crowned under-21 champion on Thursday.
In the semifinal, Nihti dominated against Kelsey Schroder from New Zealand. PDO