Makoyed and Mortimer Win U23 Gold Medals

The first round of medals was handed out today in the women’s freestyle portion of the U23 World Championships and the American contingent was featured prominently. Two American women have already won gold medals, while two others have clinched a spot in tomorrow’s gold medal finals. 

Sage Mortimer (50 kg) and Yelena Makoyed (76 kg) were the American women who captured gold medals on Thursday in Albania. 

Facing Russian Natalia Pudova, Mortimer immediately took the lead as Pudova was penalized for a hard club off the whistle. She added to her lead quickly thereafter with a takedown at the edge after pushing Pudova around the mat with an underhook. Later in the opening stanza, Mortimer added to her lead by exposing Pudova during a long scramble. Pudova was also cautioned during the sequence which pushed the American’s lead out to 6-0. 

In the second period, Pudova made her push with a takedown after a snap-and-spin situation. Pudova continued to chip into the lead and nearly put Mortimer in danger with a late throw; however, Mortimer bellied out and conceded the takedown. A few seconds later, the clock hit triple zeros and Mortimer was the victory - to the tune of 7-5. 

Makoyed dominated her way to the finals with an 11-0 tech followed by two falls. Her gold medal match was more of the same, as she was in control early and often. Within the first :30 seconds, Makoyed snapped Shuiyan Cheng (China) and dropped to a single leg for a takedown. That lead quickly doubled with a gut wrench.

Back on their feet, Makoyed continued to bring the pressure and snagged a single leg for a second takedown. Though she wasn’t able to get a leg lace, Mayoked was able to turn Cheng. Cheng fought valiantly as Mayoked continued readjusting her position from the top and finally got the fall at 2:29. 

Also earning a medal on the day for the Americans was Amani Jones, who was a bronze medalist at 55 kg. Jones also was a bronze medalist at the U20 World Championships in 2023. 

New Iowa teammates Macey Kilty (62 kg) and Kylie Welker (72 kg) earned finals berths on Thursday, while Sofia Macaluso fell in the 57 kg semifinals and will wrestle for bronze. 

The American women already have made some history, as this is the first time that the women have crowned multiple U23 world champions in the same year - and they could add to that total on Friday.