Olympic wrestler Catalina Axente leaves mat on stretcher after scary fall

There was concern for Olympic wrestler Catalina Axente on Saturday morning after she received medical attention on the mat following a heavy throw by her American opponent, Kennedy Blades.

The Romanian was taken from the arena on a stretcher after she was thrown to the mat by Blades. Axente landed on her neck and stayed down, although she appeared to be moving her limbs.

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The move clinched victory for Blades but she was subdued as medical staff treated her opponent for several minutes.

The incident came during the last 16 of the women’s freestyle 76 kg event. Both women are accomplished wrestlers: Axente is a two-time bronze medalist in the European championships while Blades won the under-20 world championships in 2021 and defeated Tokyo silver medalist Adeline Gray to qualify for Paris 2024.