Members of the fairer sex will invade the wrestling stage this week as women's wrestling makes its debut on Day 4.

Traditionally the sweaty rough-and-tumble domain of males, this is the first time women's wrestling is introduced to the Asian Games, ahead of its debut in the Athens Olympics.

Unlike male wrestling, female atheletes will only compete in freestyle events. The Greco-Roman style, which allows competitors to attack with the upper body only, is not included.

The women's programme will also feature only four of the seven weight divisions -- 48, 55, 63, 72kg.

Japanese set to bulldoze their way to gold

It will come as no surprise that world-beating Japan is ready to bulldoze its way to gold in women's wrestling.

The country has produced 16 women's world champions to date.

This time round, Japan fielded three wrestlers in the women's four-division competition, filling up the Asiad quota per nation. It will skip the 48kg division, which will have its preliminary bouts carried out on Day 4.

Busan will be a warm-up for the Japanese women who have set their sights on the sport's Olympic debut at the 2004 Athens Games. And they will be going all out in the competition ahead of the women's world championships in November.

Already, Japan's women have collected 33 gold medals, their takings from the past 14 world championships.

Women's wrestling No. 2 France trails at a distant second with 21 gold medals.

Japan women's wrestling favourites

One the daughter of a former national wrestling champion, the other is born to popular professional wrestler 'animal', it's hardly surprising that Sahori Yoshida and Kyoko Hamaguchi should excel in wrestling.

Two-time junior world champion Yoshida, 19, beat reigning world champion Seiko Yamamoto at national trials to challenge the 55kg event at the games.

Feared for her speed in attack, the university student is determined to shine in her first senior-class mission.

'Tackles are my stock in trade,' she said. 'I will attack any how and I want to win the gold medal.'

Unlike Yoshida, muscle-bound Kyoko Hamaguchi, 24, is no bright-eyed wrestling newbie.

In fact, Hamaguchi, who won the world heavyweight title for three years in a row from 1997 to 1999, is hoping to take advantage of rule changes for her comeback bid.

The heavyweight limit was lowered a year ago from 75 to 72kg, her current weight.

'I was at the rock bottom last year. I want to show that I am a different person,' said Hamaguchi, who finished third at the world championships in 2000 and fourth last year.

The third wrestler, Kaoru Ichou, may not have a wrestling father but it does not stop the 18-year-old from competing in the 63kg category.

Like Yoshida, Kaoru Ichou beat Yamamoto at the major national contest before stepping up to her present division.

She does not have any serious rivals at home but her coach Kazuto Sakae said she still needs to gain three kilograms in her weight.

'Then the Athens gold medal will be within her reach. She can compete at the world's top level for 10 years,' Kazuto Sakae predicted.