By Savannah Asmann
USA Wrestling
AMMAN, Jordan – One U.S. women’s freestyle wrestler advanced to the gold medal match on Thursday night after a strong performance in the semifinals at the U17 World Championships. Two U.S. women’s freestyle wrestlers will compete for bronze Friday night.

At 61 kg, Taina Fernandez dominated her semifinal against Zhaidar Mukat of Kazakhstan. Fernandez quickly took control in the match with a takedown, locking up a lace to take a 4-0 lead. She then secured a nearside cradle off a single-leg attempt, pinning Mukat at the 1:35 mark and earning a spot in the World final.

The 46 kg semifinal saw 2023 U17 World Champion Morgan Turner facing Yuu Katsume of Japan. Katsume opened with a takedown, turning Turner twice to build a 6-0 lead. After a challenge from the U.S. corner, the score was adjusted to 9-2 in favor of Katsume. She then scored a takedown and earned another two points for an exposure, ultimately winning 13-2 and ending Turner’s gold medal run. Turner will wrestle for bronze on Friday night.

In the 53 kg semifinal, Isabella Gonzales started strong against Kaura Coles of Canada, securing a 2-0 lead early. Coles was put on the shot clock but couldn't score, extending Gonzales' lead to 3-0 entering break. In period two, Coles managed to go behind Gonzales for a takedown, immediately following it up with a turn that shifted the momentum, putting her ahead 4-3. Coles locked up Gonzales' leg and executed a series of turns, winning 8-3 as time expired.

At 40 kg, Bela Raj of India dropped a close semifinal, which eliminated Francesca Gusfa from medal contention.

In the previous session, 2024 U17 Pan American champion Kaili Manuel was defeated in her opening match at 69 kg by Ako Uchiyama of Japan, 5-2. Uchiyama, who was fifth in the 2023 U17 World Championships, was defeated in the quarterfinals by 2024 Asian U17 champion Kajal of India, which eliminated Manuel from the tournament.

In Group 3, 2023 U17 World champion Piper Fowler was defeated in repechage at 73 kg and eliminated. She lost to 2023 U17 World silver medalist Lotta Englich of Germany, 6-2. Englich led 1-0 at the break after Fowler was unable to score on the shot clock. Englich added a step out to lead 2-0, but Fowler tied it with a takedown to make it 2-2. In the closing minute, Englich scored two exposures, one on a knee pick and the other on a whip over, to win the match.

The action continues in Amman on Friday, with women’s freestyle repechage, men’s freestyle preliminary rounds and semifinals, and women’s freestyle medal matches. The tournament resumes at 3:30 a.m. ET.

All of the action will be broadcast live on FloWrestling.

2024 U17 WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

At Amman, Jordan, August 22

Women’s freestyle Group 4 semifinal results

40 kg

Kamila Kuchma (Ukraine) dec. Nazrin Ahmadli (Azerbaijan), 5-0

Aleksandra Fedorova (Individual Neutral Athlete) dec. Bela Raj (India), 4-3

46 kg

Shrutika Patil (India) dec. Medina Kuanyshbek (Kazakhstan), 3-1

Yuu Katsume (Japan) tech. fall Morgan Turner (USA), 13-2

53 kg

Nana Kozuka (Japan) pin Lisette Boettker (Estonia), 1:11

Kaura Coles (Canada) dec. Isabella Marie Gonzales (USA), 8-3

61 kg

Taina Fernandez (USA) pin Zhaidar Mukat (Kazakhstan), 1:34

Sae Noguchi (Japan) dec. Hiunai Hurbanova (Azerbaijan), 5-0

69 kg

Oleksandra Rybak (Ukraine) pin Ilayda Cin (Turkey), 1:35

Kajal (India) dec. Rahma Bediwy (Egypt), 4-3

U.S. women’s freestyle Group 4 results

40 kg: Francesca Gusfa (Ridgewood, N.J.), eliminated

WIN Polina Timsina (Estonia), pin 0:57

LOSS Bala Raj (India), tech fall, 12-2

46 kg: Morgan Turner (Lockport, Ill./Sunkist Kids), in bronze medal match

WIN Akak Mambetsadykova (Kyrgyzstan), pin 0:39

WIN Fatma Yilmaz (Turkey), tech fall 11-0

LOSS Yuu Katsume (Japan), tech. fall 13-2

53 kg: Isabella Marie Gonzales (Fresno, Calif./Titan Mercury WC), in bronze medal match

WIN Myagmarbayar Uurtuya (Mongolia), tech fall, 10-0

WIN Angelina Plascencia Aceves (Mexico), pin 3:48

LOSS Kaura Coles (Canada), 8-3

61 kg: Taina Fernandez (Bowie, Md./Cavalier WC), in finals

WIN Ozdenur Ozmez (Turkey), tech fall 11-0

WIN Eda Balasz (Hungary), pin 2:43

WIN Zhaidar Mukat (Kazakhstan), pin 1:35

69 kg: Kaili Manuel (Washington, Mich./Michigan Revolution WC), eliminated

LOSS Ako Uchiyama (Japan) , 6-2

Schedule of Events

*all times are listed local to Amman, Jordan, seven hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Time

Friday, August 23

10:30 a.m. - Women’s freestyle Repechage: 40 kg, 46 kg, 53 kg, 61 kg, 69 kg and Men’s freestyle Qualification rounds: 48 kg, 55 kg, 65 kg, 80 kg, 110 kg

5:00 p.m. - Men’s freestyle Semifinals: 48 kg, 55 kg, 65 kg, 80 kg, 110 kg

6:00 p.m. - Women’s freestyle Finals and Awards: 40 kg, 46 kg, 53 kg, 61 kg, 69 kg

Saturday, August 24

10:30 a.m. - Men’s freestyle Repechage: 48 kg, 55 kg, 65 kg, 80 kg, 110 kg and Men’s freestyle Qualification rounds: 45 kg, 51 kg, 60 kg, 71 kg, 92 kg

5:00 p.m. - Men’s freestyle Semifinals: 45 kg, 51 kg, 60 kg, 71 kg, 92 kg

6:00 p.m. - Men’s freestyle Finals and Awards: 48 kg, 55 kg, 65 kg, 80 kg, 110 kg

Sunday, August 25

4:30 p.m. - Men’s freestyle Repechage: 45 kg, 51 kg, 60 kg, 71 kg, 92 kg6:00 p.m. - Men’s freestyle Finals and Awards: 45 kg, 51 kg, 60 kg, 71 kg, 92 kg