BEIJING — Irini Merleni of Ukraine defeated Hawai'i's Clarissa Chun of the United States for a bronze medal at 48 kilometers (105.5 pounds) Saturday in Olympic women's freestyle wrestling at China Agricultural University Gymnasium.

Merlini, the 2004 Olympic champion, pinned Chun, a Roosevelt High alum from Kapolei, 1 minute, 6 seconds into the second period.

Carol Huyhn of Canada defeated Japan's Chiharu Icho for the gold.

Time and time again, Chun created chances to upset two-time, defending world champion Icho in the semifinals.

Icho dodged danger — and a hard-charging Chun — to win, 1-0, 3-0, 1-1.

Chun will wrestle for a bronze medal later today.

Twice against Icho, Chun made bids for arm throws that had the Japanese star teetering and missed a takedown opportunity earlier in the match.

"I definitely think I can beat her next time," said Chun, 26, a Roosevelt alum from Kapolei. "I'm just really upset.

"It's hard right now, because I just really wanted that gold."

Chun won her first two matches at 106 pounds, knocking off Sweden's Sofia Mattsson, 2-1, 4-1, before stopping Vanessa Boubryemm of France, 6-1, 2-1.

Frustration and disappointment for Chun were clear after facing Icho, who pinned reigning Olympic gold medalist Irini Merleni of Ukraine earlier in the day.

"I definitely think I could have, should have, done better," Chun said.

Now, Chun will try to wrap up her Olympic trip with a bronze medal.

"I owe it to my coaches and my country to go for that bronze," she said.

Bryce Miller is the sports editor of the Des Moines Register.