Tony DeAnda Head Coach | Northern Michigan University Athletics Website
Tony DeAnda Head Coach | Northern Michigan University Athletics Website
Yu Sakamoto, a Japanese wrestler and incoming member of the Northern Michigan University (NMU) women's wrestling team, has reached the finals of the U23 World Wrestling Championship in Tirana, Albania. Competing in the 53kg weight class, Sakamoto will face Serena Di Benedetto from Canada for the gold medal on Friday, October 25, at 12:00 p.m. EST.
Sakamoto advanced to the final after securing a victory by decision against Otgontuya Chinbold from Mongolia with a score of 4-4 in Thursday's semifinal match. Representing both Japan and NMU, she aims to secure her position on the international stage with a gold medal finish.
The U23 World Wrestling Championships are recognized for showcasing elite young talent under the age of 23. Competitors are selected based on their performance at Olympic Trials and other national competitions. Sakamoto brings an impressive track record to this event, having previously won a gold medal at the U20 Asian Championships in 2022 and being named a Japanese U23 National Champion as well as a World Team Representative in 2024.
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