U23 World Wrestling Championships: Action-packed final delivers thrills as Reetika claims gold

Posted : 27 October 2023

The U23 World Championships witnessed a thrilling final at 76kg, breaking the monotony of less exciting matches. Reetika (UWW) faced Kennedy Blades (USA) in a dynamic encounter, resulting in a 9-2 victory for Reetika and denying Blades, a former U20 world champion, another world title. The four preceding finals had seen an injury default at 50kg, a 4-2 result at 55kg, a 1-1 draw at 59kg, and a 2-1 decision at 68kg.

The 76kg final took an unexpected turn as Blades, considered the favorite, faced an unexpected defeat against Reetika, who had transitioned to 76kg for the first time after two years at 72kg. Reetika employed a counter-offensive strategy that effectively nullified Blades during the final.

The match saw Reetika secure her initial two points from stepouts as counters to Blades' attacks. Blades managed to level the score at 2-2 on criteria by executing a double-leg takedown. However, Reetika continued to press and pushed Blades out once more, leading 3-2 at the break.

Reetika maintained the pressure, preventing Blades from mounting any effective attacks. Blades made attempts to attack Reetika's legs but was skillfully defended using underhooks. In one such instance, Reetika executed a takedown, followed by another after a stepout, ultimately clinching the gold medal.

Blades, however, must quickly regroup as she is set to participate in the Pan-Am Games in Chile on November 1 as a part of the United States team.

In the 68kg final, U20 world bronze medalist Alina SHAUCHUK (AIN) secured a gold medal by defeating the defending champion Nesrin BAS (TUR) with a 1-1 criteria score. Both wrestlers had exchanged activity points, but a challenge ultimately decided the outcome in Shauchuk's favor.

At the last moments of the match, Bas executed a double-leg move and pushed Shauchuk toward the edge. Shauchuk managed to resist Bas's efforts to score a stepout until the clock ran out. However, Turkey challenged the decision in hopes of a favorable review. The jury confirmed a stepout, awarding an additional point to Bas and the gold medal.

Bas, a U23 European champion and senior-level bronze medalist, became the first Turkish wrestler to win the U23 world title twice.

In the 59kg final, Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR) triumphed over Sena NAGAMOTO (JPN) with a 1-1 score, with Nagamoto unable to produce convincing attacks. Vynnyk's victory marked Ukraine's first gold in Women's Wrestling at the U23 World Championships after a previous year without medals in Pontevedra, Spain.

Japanese wrestlers secured two gold medals in the championship, with Umi ITO (JPN) winning at 50kg and Umi IMAI (JPN) at 55kg. Imai faced Neha SHARMA (UWW) in the final and took an early lead with an outside single that turned into a takedown. Despite Sharma's efforts to score, Imai's solid defense prevented any points for her opponent. In the second period, Imai executed a similar takedown to extend her lead to 4-0, eventually winning 4-2 as Sharma could not secure another point for the victory.

At 50kg, U23 European champion Emma LUTTENAUER (FRA) won the bronze medal with a 7-0 victory over Aida KERYMOVA (UKR). Elnura MAMMADOVA (AZE) held off NEELAM (UWW) with an 8-5 score in the other bronze-medal match. Anastasiia SIDELNIKOVA (AIN) secured a bronze at 59kg with a 6-3 win against Nadzeya BULANAYA (AIN), while NITIKA (UWW) pinned Michaela RANKIN (CAN) to claim another bronze.

The defending champion, Amit ELOR (USA), advanced to the final at 72kg after registering two pins and a 5-0 win in Tirana. Elor is chasing her eighth world title and will face Jyoti BERWAL (UWW) in the gold medal match.

In the 65kg category, Irina RINGACI (MDA) held off Macey KILTY (USA) in a close 5-4 semifinal victory, securing her first U23 world final appearance. She will compete against Amina TANDELOVA (AIN) in the gold medal match. The second Moldovan wrestler, Mariana DRAGUTAN (MDA), reached the final at 53kg by defeating Altyn SHAGAYEVA (KAZ) with a 6-2 score. Her opponent in the gold medal bout will be Mako OONO (JPN).

At 57kg, 2022 Asian champion Sara NATAMI (JPN) secured her place in the final by defeating Elvira KAMALOGLU (TUR) with an 8-1 score. She will face Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE) in the gold medal match. Finally, Iryna BONDAR (UKR) will aim to improve her silver from last year to gold in the final at 62kg after defeating Bhagyashree FAND (UWW) with a dominant 10-0 win.

U23 World Wrestling Championships: Action-packed final delivers thrills as Reetika claims gold

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