At 65 kg, Adaugo Nwachukwu of Army WCAP brought down Claire DiCugno of King University in the challenge tournament final, 8-1. Nwachukwu is No. 3 on the Senior National Team at 62 kg, while DiCugno is No. 4 on the Senior National Team at 62 kg. With the victory, Nwachukwu entered a best-of-three series against 2024 U23 Nationals champion Aine Drury of King University.

It was all Nwachukwu in the first round of action, as she was able to shut down Drury’s offense for a 10-0 technical fall victory. Drury responded with a low-scoring 2-1 win in round two, forcing a third decisive match.

In round three, Drury led 3-1 over Nwachukwu entering the second period. Nwachukwu attempted and inside trip but Drury stepped to the edge, allowing Nwachukwu to shoot for the legs, getting Drury to her back for the pin with 1:45 left on the clock.

Nwachukwu will compete at her fourth World Championships in October. She won a 2022 U20 World bronze medal and also competed on the 2023 U23 and U20 World Teams.

According to the Team Selection Process for the 2024 U23 Women’s World Team, in the non-Olympic weight classes (55 kg, 59 kg, 65 kg, 72 kg), there is the possibility for a Wrestle-off under these conditions:

Non-Olympic Categories: 55kg / 59kg / 65kg / 72kg

1. The age eligible Olympic Team Trials National Team member (top 4) at the six (6) Olympic weight categories can adjust weights and challenge the 2024 U23 National Champion for the U23 World Team spot at a Senior National Team Camp, June 23-29, 2024.

o If there is more than one challenger in a weight, there will be a single elimination tournament to determine who will challenge the 2024 U23 National Champion.

o There will be a best of three series between the 2024 U23 National Champion and the challenger to determine who will earn the spot.

The 2024 U23 World Championships are set for Tirana, Albania, October 21-27.

U23 WOMEN’S WORLD TEAM WRESTLE-OFFS

At U.S. Olympic & Paralympic Training Center, Colorado Springs, Colo., June 27

Full Results

65 kg preliminary - Adaugo Nwachukwu dec. Claire DiCugno, 8-1

72 kg – Bout One - Kylie Welker tech. fall Aspen Barber, 10-0

72 kg – Bout Two - Kylie Welker tech. fall Aspen Barber, 10-0

65 kg – Bout One - Adaugo Nwachukwu tech. fall Aine Drury, 10-0

65 kg – Bout Two – Aine Drury dec. Adaugo Nwachukwu, 2-1

65 kg – Bout Three - Adaugo Nwachukwu pin Aine Drury, 4:15

Welker, Nwachukwu win U23 World Team Wrestle-offs in women’s freestyle

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