TAIYUAN, China, March 20 (Xinhua) -- Defending champion and host China on Friday was drawn into the tough group of the forthcoming Women's Wrestling World Cup with world top ranking Japan, the United States, the runner-up of the 2008 edition, and Belarus.

    The 2009 edition of the World Cup, featuring only team event, will kick off here on Saturday and end on Sunday. Only the top eight teams on the world rankings qualify for the highest-level wrestling tournament.

    Japan and Canada, the current top two on the rankings, were the seeds of Group A and B respectively.

    Following is the draw for the tournament:

    Group A: Japan, China, United States, Belarus

    Group B: Canada, Mongolia, Ukraine, Russia

    FILA President Raphael Martinetti said that Japan, China and the United States are the strongest women's wrestling teams, so the Group A competitions would be more intense.

    The winners of the two groups will fight for the title.

    China beat the United States 4-3 in the final of the 2008 Women's Wrestling World Cup.



2009 Women's Wrestling World Cup to kick off in China

    TAIYUAN, China, March 20 (Xinhua) -- The 2009 Women's Wrestling World Cup will kick off in northern China's Shanxi Province on Saturday.

    The two-day tournament has attracted more than 100 athletes from eight countries and regions, such as Canada, Japan, Ukraine, Russia, Mongolia and the host China. Full story