Kilty, Welker lead experienced Women’s freestyle team set for U23 World Championships

A talented group of Women’s freestyle athletes, including two Senior World Team members and five past age-group World medalists, is set for action at the 2024 U23 World Championships, October 21-27 in Tirana, Albania.

The Women’s freestyle portion of the event will be held on the third, fourth and fifth days of action at Sports Hall “Feti Borova” in Tirana. Athletes in the first five Women’s freestyle weight classes (50 kg, 55 kg, 59 kg, 68 kg and 76 kg) begin their tournaments on October 23, with the second group (53 kg, 57 kg, 62 kg, 65 kg, and 72 kg) beginning on October 24. Each bracket will be contested over a two-day stretch, running through semifinals on day one, followed by repechage and medal matches on day two.

Iowa teammates Macey Kilty and Kylie Welker are slated to compete at both the U23 World Championships and the Senior World Championships in Tirana, Albania, the following week. Kilty is a 2023 Senior World silver medalist and runner-up at the 2024 U.S. Olympic Team Trials, and has proven her strength against the best.

Kilty’s journey includes six age-group and Senior World medals, with one of her top achievements being the 2018 U17 World Championship title. Her participation in this event marks her eighth World Championships, and she enters as a 2023 Senior World Championships silver medalist, ready to add another medal to her impressive resume.

Welker has a history of success that includes a 2021 U20 World Championship title. This will be her fifth World Championships, and she enters with three age-group World medals. Her versatility and strength have earned her a spot on the Senior World Team in 2021 and on the 2024 Senior National Team at 76 kg.

Senior National Team members Sage Mortimer and Yelena Makoyed elected to compete on the U23 World Team. Mortimer, ranked third on the Senior National Team at 50 kg, has had recent performances that are nothing short of impressive. In December of 2023, she navigated a challenging bracket, winning the Senior Nationals title at 50 kg. She draws experience from the 2019 U17 World Championships, and this marks her second age-group World tournament.

Makoyed is set to make her World Championships debut in Albania. Her participation in the 2022 World Cup for the United States and her gold medal at the 2021 U20 Pan American Championships showcases her experience. Ranked third on the Senior National Team at 76 kg, Makoyed’s journey includes a runner-up finish at the U.S. Olympic Team Trials challenge tournament and the NCWWC National Championships in 2024. Her strength will be on full display as she aims to make a mark in her first World Championships.

Three U23 World Team members are past age-group World Medalists in Amani Jones, Sofia Macaluso and Adaugo Nwachukwu. Jones, a bronze medalist at the 2023 U20 World championships, has demonstrated her ability to compete at a high level. She holds a gold medal from the 2021 U20 Pan American Championships, and will look to make a strong transition to the U23 age-group competition.

Competing at 57 kg, Macaluso brings a blend of experience and versatility to the U23 World Championships. A 2022 U20 World silver medalist, she has shown her capability on the international stage. Her fifth-place finish at the 2024 U23 Pan American Championships and silver medal at the Grand Prix of Spain highlight her consistency.

Nwachukwu is set to build on her impressive 2023 season, where she competed at both the U20 and U23 World Championships. Her silver medal at the 2024 U23 Pan American Championships and bronze at the 2022 U20 World Championships are an attestation to her international skill. Competing at this event last year, Nwachukwu’s experience will be key as she aims for the podium.

At 53 kg, Elena Ivaldi enters the U23 World Championships with a strong record. As a 2024 U23 Pan American Championships bronze medalist and U23 Women’s Nationals champion, Ivaldi has proven her strength at this age-group. She was a member of the 2022 U17 World Team, and  earned a third-place finish at the Senior World Team Trials in September.

Two athletes will make their World Championships debut in Brooklyn Hays and Skye Realin. Hays enters with a mix of experience and ambition, and has had a successful 2024 season in two Pan American Championship tournaments. She earned gold at the Senior tournament in February, then secured silver at the U23 tournament in June. Hays also finished third in the U.S. Olympic Team Trials challenge tournament and was a member of the 2023 Senior National Team.

Realin, a 2024 U23 Women’s Nationals champion and U23 Pan American Championships gold medalist, has shown her potential on the international level. Her agility and skillful approach will be key as she competes against the best in the world.

The U23 World Championships will be live streamed on FloWrestling to the U.S. market. Brackets and updated results will be provided by United World Wrestling on uww.org and the UWW mobile app.

Those seeking to follow along in real time can reference the complete event schedule below. Tirana, Albania, is in the GMT +2 time zone, which is six hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Time. USA Wrestling will provide regular updates on TheMat.com and its social media platforms throughout the event.

2024 U23 World Championships

At Tirana, Albania, October 21-27

Quick Links

· U.S. Women’s freestyle athlete bios

· Event entry list provided by UWW

· Live stream on FloWrestling.com

· Event website on UWW.org

Event Schedule

Monday, October 21

10:30 a.m. – Qualification Rounds (Greco-Roman 60 kg, 67 kg, 72 kg, 82 kg and 97 kg)

6 p.m. – Semifinals (Greco-Roman 60 kg, 67 kg, 72 kg, 82 kg and 97 kg)

Tuesday, October 22

10:30 a.m. – Repechage (Greco-Roman 60 kg, 67 kg, 72 kg, 82 kg and 97 kg) and Qualification Rounds (Greco-Roman 55 kg, 63 kg, 77 kg, 87 kg and 130 kg)

4:45 p.m. – Semifinals (Greco-Roman 55 kg, 63 kg, 77 kg, 87 kg and 130 kg)

6 p.m. – Finals (Greco-Roman 60 kg, 67 kg, 72 kg, 82 kg and 97 kg)

Wednesday, October 23

10:30 a.m. – Repechage (Greco-Roman 55 kg, 63 kg, 77 kg, 87 kg and 130 kg) and Qualification Rounds (Women’s freestyle 50 kg, 55 kg, 59 kg, 68 kg and 76 kg)

4:45 p.m. – Semifinals (Women’s freestyle 50 kg, 55 kg, 59 kg, 68 kg and 76 kg)

6 p.m. – Finals (Greco-Roman 55 kg, 63 kg, 77 kg, 87 kg and 130 kg)

Thursday, October 24

10:30 a.m. – Repechage (Women’s freestyle 50 kg, 55 kg, 59 kg, 68 kg and 76 kg) and Qualification Rounds (Women’s freestyle 53 kg, 57 kg, 62 kg, 65 kg, and 72 kg)

4:45 p.m. – Semifinals (Women’s freestyle 53 kg, 57 kg, 62 kg, 65 kg, and 72 kg)

6 p.m. – Finals (Women’s freestyle 50 kg, 55 kg, 59 kg, 68 kg and 76 kg)

Friday, October 25

10:30 a.m. – Repechage (Women’s freestyle 53 kg, 57 kg, 62 kg, 65 kg, and 72 kg) and Qualification Rounds (Men’s freestyle 61 kg, 74 kg, 86 kg, 92 kg and 125 kg)

4:45 p.m. – Semifinals (Men’s freestyle 61 kg, 74 kg, 86 kg, 92 kg and 125 kg)

6 p.m. – Finals (Women’s freestyle 53 kg, 57 kg, 62 kg, 65 kg, and 72 kg)

Saturday, October 26

10:30 a.m. – Repechage (Men’s freestyle 61 kg, 74 kg, 86 kg, 92 kg and 125 kg) and Qualification Rounds (Men’s freestyle 57 kg, 65 kg, 70 kg, 79 kg and 97 kg)

4:45 p.m. – Semifinals (Men’s freestyle 57 kg, 65 kg, 70 kg, 79 kg and 97 kg)

6 p.m. – Finals (Men’s freestyle 61 kg, 74 kg, 86 kg, 92 kg and 125 kg)

Sunday, October 27

4 p.m. – Repechage (Men’s freestyle 57 kg, 65 kg, 70 kg, 79 kg and 97 kg)

6 p.m. – Finals (Men’s freestyle 57 kg, 65 kg, 70 kg, 79 kg and 97 kg)

*Listed times reflect local time in Tirana, Albania, which is six hours ahead of U.S. Eastern Time

U.S. Women’s Freestyle Roster

50 kg – Sage Mortimer (Springville, Utah/Titan Mercury WC)

53 kg – Elena Ivaldi (Rocklin, Calif.)

55 kg – Amani Jones (Jonesboro, Georgia/Cardinal WC)

57 kg – Sofia Macaluso (Otisville, N.Y./West Point WC)

59 kg – Skye Realin (Mililani, Hawaii/Iowa Women’s WC)

62 kg – Macey Kilty (Colorado Springs, Colo./Iowa Women’s WC)

65 kg – Adaugo Nwachukwu (San Jose, California/Titan Mercury WC)

68 kg – Brooklyn Hays (Lindon, Utah)

72 kg – Kylie Welker (Franksville, Wis./Iowa Women’s WC/Titan Mercury WC)

76 kg – Yelena Makoyed (Orangevale, Calif./Titan Mercury WC)

U.S. Women’s Freestyle Delegation

Coach: Katie Kriebel

USA Wrestling Assigned Coach – Whitney Cox

Personal Coach – Jake Short

Personal Coach – Jon Perreira

Personal Coach – Grant Zamin

Personal Coach – Heath Macaluso

Personal Coach – Tonya Verbeek

Personal Coach – Bruce Robinson

ATC – Randy Boswell

ATC – Elizabeth Del Re

DO – Andrew Peterson

Official – Jason Babi

Official – Brock Zollinger

Official – Nick Mancini

Team Leader – Jeff Waters

USA Wrestling, President – Bruce Baumgartner

USA Wrestling, Executive Director – Richard Bender

USA Wrestling, Sr. Manager, Communications – Richard Immel