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, the 2004 silver medalist, for the gold.

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

Icho dodged danger — and a hard-charging Chun — to win, 1-0, 3-0, 1-1, forcing Chun into the bronze medal match.

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. "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.

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