BUCHAREST, Romania – The first day of the 2018 U23 World Championships have come to a close, but not before two wrestlers earned their second-consecutive U23 World finals bids.

2017 U23 World champion at 71 kg Daniel CARTARAGA (MDA) made his second-straight U23 World finals, this time at 77 kg, pinning 2018 Junior World silver medalist and 2017 Junior World bronze medalist Sajan SAJAN (IND) in the first period.

In the finals, Cartaraga will meet 2018 U23 European champion Rajbek BISULTANOV (DEN), who knocked off reigning U23 World champion Fatih CENGIZ (TUR) with a 4-1 decision.

Also advancing to his second U23 World finals was Zviadi PATARIDZE (GEO), who is a five-time age-group World champion, winning three Junior World titles and two Cadet World titles.

To earn a spot in the finals, the Georgian finished off 2017 U23 World bronze medalist Konsta MAEENPAEAE (FIN) with an 8-0 technical fall in 56 seconds.

Pataridze looks to improve on his silver-medal finish from last year. To do so, he will have to go through 2016 Junior World silver medalist and two-time Junior World bronze medalist Osman YILDIRIM (TUR) in the 130 kg finals.

Securing his second World medal of the year was Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO), who won a bronze medal at the 2018 Senior World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, two weeks ago. Tsurtsumia edged out 2012 Cadet World bronze winner Balbai DORDOKOV (KGZ) in a 2-1 battle.

Waiting for him in the finals is 2018 Russia Nationals champion Vitalii KABALOEV (RUS).

The Russian sailed to the finals after a 9-1 technical fall over 2015 Junior World bronze medalist Amangali BEKBOLATOV (KAZ). This is Kabaloev’s first World tournament.

At 63 kg, Katsuaki ENDO (JPN) knocked off 2016 Junior World bronze medalist Meysam DALKHANI (IRI) with a decisive 6-3 win.

The other 63 kg semifinal featured another 6-3 decision as Alexandru BICIU (MDA) silenced the Romanian crowd, defeating 2015 Junior World bronze medalist Mihai MIHUT (ROU).

Katsuaki and Biciu will face-off tomorrow for the 63 kg World crown.

The 87 kg finals will feature 2018 Senior Pan American champion Daniel Gregorich of Cuba and Semen NOVIKOV (UKR).

Gregorich defeated U23 European bronze medalist Gazi KHALILOV (RUS), 7-1, while Novikov stunned three-time age-group World champion Islam ABBASOV (AZE) in an 8-5 decision.

Tuesday’s action begins at 10:30 a.m. local time (3:30 a.m. ET). Fans can watch live on unitedworldwrestling.com.

Finals matchups

55 kg: Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO) vs. Vitalii KABALOEV (RUS)
63 kg: Katsuaki ENDO (JPN) vs. Alexandru BICIU (MDA)
77 kg: Rajbek BISULTANOV (DEN) vs. Daniel CATARAGA (MDA)
87 kg: Semen NOVIKOV (UKR) vs. Daniel GREGORICH (CUB)
130 kg: Zviadi PATARIDZE (GEO) vs. Osman YILDIRIM (TUR)

Semifinals results

55 kg
Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO) dec. Balbai DORDOKOV (KGZ), 2-1
Vitalii KABALOEV (RUS) tech. fall Amangali BEKBOLATOV (KAZ), 9-1

63 kg
Katsuaki ENDO (JPN) dec. Meysam DALKHANI (IRI), 6-3
Alexandru BICIU (MDA) dec. Mihai MIHUT (ROU), 6-3

77 kg
Rajbek BISULTANOV (DEN) dec. Fatih CENGIZ (TUR), 4-1
Daniel CATARAGA (MDA) win by fall Sajan SAJAN (IND), 2:28

87 kg
Semen NOVIKOV (UKR) dec. Islam ABBASOV (AZE), 8-5
Daniel GREGORICH (CUB) dec. Gazi KHALILOV (RUS), 7-1

130 kg
Zviadi PATARIDZE (GEO) tech. fall Konsta MAEENPAEAE (FIN), 8-0
Osman YILDIRIM (TUR) dec. Abdellatif MOHAMED (EGY), 5-1