#WrestleTirana Thursday Session II Live Blog: Kilty, Elor in semifinals, Jimenez, Blades chasing gold
by Savannah Asmann
76 kg - Reetika Reetika (UWW) dec. Kennedy Blades (United States), 9-2
Blades was trailing 3-2 after the first period. She had a huge double leg takedown, but gave up a trio of step outs to her opponent. Blades finishes with a silver medal after falling to Reetika 9-2.
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Audrey Jimenez has withdrawn from her finals match against Umi Ito (Japan) due to injury. She will finish with the silver medal at 50 kg.
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Minutes away from the start of the medal matches!
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72 kg - Amit Elor (United States) dec. Wiktoria Choluj (Poland), 5-0
In a rematch of last year's final, it was Elor that emerged victorious once again. All five of the points were scored in the first period, as Elor led with a takedown, a step out and another takedown that summarized the match. She matches up against Jyoti Berwal (UWW) in the 72 kg finals tomorrow night.
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65 kg - Irina Ringaci (Moldova) dec. Macey Kilty (United States), 5-4
Kilty picked up the first takedown but trailed 4-2 at the break. Ringaci countered with a pair of takedowns of her own to score the four points. Ringaci wins the semifinal over Kilty 5-4. Kilty was in on the legs multiple times but was unable to get a clean finish on her shots. Kilty wrestles for bronze tomorrow night.
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The semifinals have begun and while we await Macey Kilty and Amit Elor's matches, it is important to state that Xochitl Mota-Pettis has been pulled into repechage at 57 kg after Sara Natami (Japan) won her semifinal match. Mota-Pettis wrestles in the repechage match, beginning at 10:30 a.m. local time on Friday morning.
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45 minutes until wrestling continues at the 2023 U23 Wrestling Championships in Tirana, Albania. We'll be on Mat A, as our two semifinalists Macey Kilty (65 kg) and Amit Elor (72 kg) are the last two weight classes to wrestle. Kilty will face Irina Ringaci (Moldova) and Elor matches up against Wiktoria Choluj (Poland). Follow along to our live blog and social media for updates!
At 6 p.m. local time, the medal matches are slated to get going. Audrey Jimenez (50 kg) and Kennedy Blades (76 kg) are going for gold.
