SARAJEVO (August 28) – Junior world champion Leyla GURBANOVA (AZE) survived two early scares to remain on track for a second age-group gold medal in August, advancing to Friday evening’s 52kg final at the Cadet Wrestling World Championships.

Gurbanova’s hopes of a cadet world title were nearly dashed in her opening bout until an apparent last-second win by Gracie FIGUEROVA (USA) was overturned after a video review. Gurbanova, then, had to come up with a late takedown to hold off Sae NANJO (JPN), 5-4, in the second round.

Gurbanova, who was cadet world silver medalist in 2014, won the junior wrestling world title three weeks ago in Brazil and will face 2014 European bronze medalist Aleksandra NITSENKO (RUS) in the 52kg final at Sports Hall Amel Beckovic.

Meanwhile, Japan and Russia each advanced four wrestlers into the gold and bronze medal matches with Russia cutting slightly into the seven-point lead Japan held in the team standings on Thursday night.

Along with Nitsenko, Russia advanced two relatively unknown wrestlers into the gold medal matches. Ekaterina MIKHAILOVA (RUS) takes on Assylat SAGYMBAY (KAZ) for the gold medal at 40kg.

Maria MATYUSHENKO (RUS) will have her hands full in the 60kg final with European champion and 2014 world bronze medalist Anzhelina LYSAK (UKR), who posted a pair of falls and a technical fall in the morning session.

Japan answers with returning champion Yui SUSAKI (46kg), who will face Alleida MARTINEZ (USA), and 2013 world silver medalist Mei SHINDO (70kg). Shindo notched three falls in the morning session and squares off with European champion Denise STROM (SWE). 

Women’s Wrestling

40kg (11 entries)
Gold – Assyzat SAGYMBAY (KAZ) v Ekaterina MIKHAILOVA (RUS)
Bronze – Nastassia KURYSHTA (BLR) v Rumi FUJISAWA (JPN)
Bronze – Maria CIOCCLEA (MDA) v Lyubov VOLOSHINA (UKR)
 
Semifinal – Assyzat SAGYMBAY (KAZ) df. Rumi FUJISAWA (JPN) by Fall, 1:08
Semifinal – Ekaterina MIKHAILOVA (RUS) df. Liubov VOLOSHYNA (UKR) by Fall, 0:54

46kg (16 entries)
Gold – Alleida MARTINEZ (USA) v Yui SUSAKI (JPN)
Bronze – Aynur EGE (TUR) v Maria TYUMEREKOVA (RUS)
Bronze – Divy TOMAR (IND) v Lisa ERSEL (GER)
 
Semifinal – Alleida MARTINEZ (USA) df. Maria TYUMEREKOVA (RUS), 3-2
Semifinal – Yui SUSAKI (JPN) df. Lisa ERSEL by TF, 10-0, 1:09

52kg (18 entries)
Gold – Aleksandra NITSENKO (RUS) v Leyla GURBANOV (AZE)
Bronze – Gabriela RAMOS (PUR) v Shakhodat DJULLIBAEVA (UZB)
Bronze – Sae NANJO (JPN) v Reena REENA (IND)
 
Semifinal – Alexandra NITSENKO (RUS) df. Shakhodat DJULLIBAEVA (UZB), 5-1
Semifinal – Leyla GURBANOV (AZE) df. Reena REENA (IND) by Fall, 0:44

60kg (17 entries)
Gold – Maria MATYUSHENKO (RUS) v Anzhelina LYSAK (UKR)
Bronze – Elena ESPOSITO (ITA) v Anina TEMIRTASSOVA (KAZ)
Bronze – Nisha NISHA (IND) v Alexandra SANDAHL (SWE)
 
Semifinal – Maria MATYUSHENKO (RUS) df. Anina TEMIRTASSOVA (KAZ) by TF, 10-0, 2:18
Semifinal – Anzhelina LYSAK (UKR) df. Alexsandra SANDAHL (SWE) by Fall, 0:40

70kg (16 entries)
Gold – Mei SHINDO (JPN) v Denise STROM (SWE)
Bronze – Alexis BLEAU (USA) v BYAMBADORJ Tsetsegbayar (MGL)
Bronze – Boriana BORISOVA (BUL) v CHANG Hui-tsu (TPE)
 
Semifinal – Mei SHINDO (JPN) df. BYAMBADORJ Tsetsegbayar (MGL) by Fall, 3:20
Semifinal – Denise STROM (SWE) df. CHANG Hui-tsu (TPE) by Fall, 2:54