Shilson techs her way into second-straight Cadet World final

ZAGREB, Croatia – 2017 Cadet World silver medalist Emily Shilson snagged a bid to the 2018 Cadet World Championship finals at 43 kg on Wednesday evening in Zagreb, Croatia.

In the second session of action, Shilson, who won her first two matches by technical fall and pin, faced off against three-time Cadet European medalist Victoria Aleksandrova of Russia.

Although it was a slow start for Shilson, who trailed 1-0 at the break, the American kicked it into high gear in the second period. A four-point feet-to-back takedown is how Shilson started her scoring and followed it quickly with a gut wrench.

A series of tilts put Shilson up 10-1, with Russia challenging a call. The challenge failed and Shilson was awarded another point, ending the match with an 11-1 tech fall.

In tomorrow night’s finals, the Minnesota native will take on 2017 Cadet World champion at 38 kg, Shahana Nazarova of Azerbaijan.

Also competing tomorrow, in the hunt for a medal, is Tiare Ikei, who fell earlier today to Polina Lukina of Russia. Lukina won her semifinal match at 49 kg, pulling Ikei into tomorrow’s repechage.

Kiana Pugh at 65 kg and Tristan Kelly at 73 kg were knocked out of the tournament when the opponents they lost to earlier in the day fell in the semifinals.

Repechage action will start Thursday at 10:30 a.m. local time (4:30 a.m. ET) with the medal matches beginning at 6 p.m. local time (12 p.m. ET) live on Trackwrestling.com.

2018 CADET WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS
at Zagreb, Croatia, July 2-8

43 kg/95 lbs. – Emily Shilson, Maple Grove, Minn. (Titan Mercury)
WIN Ana Maria Cristescu (Romania), fall 2:19
WIN Simran Simran (India), 10-0
WIN Victoria Aleksandrova (Russia), 11-1
vs. Shahana Nazarova (Azerbaijan)

49 kg/108 lbs. – Tiare Ikei, Honolulu, Hawaii (Grapplers Hawaii)
WIN Faten Ahmed (Egypt), fall 3:22
LOSS Lukina (Russia), 11-0
vs. Aisha Kappar (Kazakhstan)

57 kg/125 lbs. – Cheyenne Bowman, La Habra, Calif. (Pounders WC), did not compete

65 kg/143 lbs. – Kiana Pugh, Mosinee, Wisc. (Mosinee WC)
WIN Nigar Mirzazada (Azerbaijan), fall 1:00
LOSS Oksana Chudyk (Ukraine), 9-5

73 kg/161 lbs. - Tristan Kelly, Erie, Colo. (Betterman Elite)
LOSS Valeria Trifonova (Russia), 12-0