BEIJING (AP) -World champion Chiharu Icho of Japan beat Clarissa Chun of the United States in the 48-kilogram semifinals Saturday on a tiebreaker, despite being put on her back for three points in the first second of overtime.

Icho won 1-0, 0-3 (OT), 1-1 over Chun, who wasn't even supposed to make the U.S. team and whose second-period throw drew gasps from a Chinese crowd accustomed to watching Japan women wrestlers dominate every match.

Icho, the sister of 63-kg favorite Kaori Icho, trailed 1-0 in the third period before driving Chun off the mat for the decisive point. When the score is tied at the end of the period, the second and most-used tiebreaker is the last wrestler to score.

Chun had upset 2004 bronze medalist Patricia Miranda at the U.S. trials two months ago to make the team.

"I definitely think I could have won that match, no doubt,'' said Chun, who nearly broke into tears several times during a post-match interview. "I should have given more, attacked more. I got caught up in her tie-ups and her pushing on me. I should have, I don't know, fought harder, I guess.''

Before beating Chun, Icho - nine seconds away from losing - pinned 2004 Olympic champion Irini Merlini of Ukraine.

To win a bronze medal later Saturday, Chun may have to defeat Merlini, who beat Icho in Athens to win the gold. Icho wrestles Carol Huynh of Canada, who came through an easy bracket, for the gold.

In the 55-kg division, Saori Yoshida, a five-time world champion and Athens gold medalist, has a tough gold-medal match against Xu Li of China.

Jackeline Renteria of Colombia will wrestle for the bronze medal after defeating Marcie Van Dusen of the United States in the quarterfinals but losing in the semifinals.