2023 Final X - Newark

Final X Match-up: Kayla Miracle vs Adaugo Nwachukwu

Final X Match-up: Kayla Miracle vs Adaugo Nwachukwu

A preview of the match between Kayla Miracle and Adaugo Nwachukwu at Final X on Saturday, June 10.

May 12, 2023
Final X Match-up: Kayla Miracle vs Adaugo Nwachukwu

Final X, presented by Tezos, is Saturday, June 10 at Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey, and will be streamed LIVE on FloWrestling. Final X determines the 2023 U.S. Senior World teams in all three Olympic disciplines: men’s and women’s freestyle and Greco-Roman.

Below is a women’s freestyle preview of the 62-kilogram match between Adaugo Nwachukwu and Kayla Miracle

Key Credentials

Adaugo Nwachukwu, 19 
— 2023 US Open champion (62 kg)
— 2023 U20 World Team Trials champion (62 kg)
— 2023 NAIA champion (136 lbs)
— 2022 U20 World bronze medalist (62 kg)
— 2022 US Open third-place finisher (62 kg)
— 2022 NAIA Invitational champion (136)

Kayla Miracle, 27
— 2022 World silver medalist
— 2021 World silver medalist
— 2019 U23 World silver medalist
— 2019 World teamer (8th)
— 2018 U23 World teamer (5th)
— 2017 U23 World teamer (5th)
— 2016 U20 World bronze medalist
— 2015 U20 World teamer (8th)
— 2014 U20 World bronze medalist
— 2012 U17 World silver medalist
— 2011 U17 World teamer (8th)
— Four-time WCWC champion for Campbellsville (2015-18)

Match History

Miracle teched Nwachukwu, 10-0, during the semifinals of the 2022 US Open

How They Reached Final X

Nwachukwu reached Final X by winning this year’s US Open. She entered as the two-seed and won by fall over Delaney Graves (R16), fall over Ashlynn Ortega (quarters), 16-1 over Bridgette Duty (semifinals), and 10-8 over Jennifer Page (finals)

Miracle reached Final X as a returning 2022 World silver medalist. She recently won a bronze medal at the Pan-Am Championships. 

What Can You Expect?

If recent history tells us anything, this series will be difficult to predict. Last year’s best-of-three Final X match-up between Miracle and Jennifer Page (known as Jennifer Rogers at the time) was postponed by Miracle due to an injury. 

Miracle pinned Page in 18 seconds during the 2022 US Open final but Page looked nearly unbeatable during her 13-2 tech in the opening match of their delayed Final X series. Miracle stormed back in the second match for a 12-2 tech and won the deciding match, 5-3, on a wild four-point move at the edge after falling behind 3-0. 

This year’s US Open finals match between Nwachukwu and Page adds more uncertainty. Nwachukwu won 10-8 in a seesaw battle where Page scored two points on step-outs (2-0), Nwachukwu struck back with two takedowns (4-2), and Page scored a four-point throw and a gut for an 8-4 lead at the break. 

Nwachukwu scored a four-point takedown in the second followed by the deciding takedown for a spot in Final X. The former Iowa Wesleyan star said she needed to get her revenge against Miracle after losing to her during last year’s US Open semifinals. Miracle hit a swing single and four trapped-arm gut wrenches for a 10-0 tech. 

Miracle was pinned in this year’s Pan-Am semifinals by Nathalie Griman of Venezuela after falling behind 8-0. The former Campbellsville star limped back to the center after twisting her ankle during the final exchange but won her bronze medal match, 10-0, over Javiera Roco of Chile. 

Here is what we know entering Final X. Miracle is a positionally sound wrestler who can change levels and will stay solid in her stance. There is a reason she is a six-time World medalist in four different age categories. 

Nwachukwu is a dynamic wrestler who continues to add to her arsenal. Her double from space is exceptional and she can hit spectacular throws, but she occasionally gets thrown when she forces a position. Remember, Nwachukwu started wrestling as a junior in high school, so she is less than five years into this. 

Good luck trying to figure out what will happen in Newark, New Jersey. This could be a wild series. 

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Watch Adaugo Nwachukwu's 10-8 finals win over Jennifer Page during this year's US Open finals

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Kayla Miracle defeated Jennifer Page with a four-point exchange out of bounds during the deciding third match in last year's delayed Final X series


Final X is the Beat the Streets New York Benefit

It is the second straight year Final X will serve as the Beat the Streets New York Annual Benefit. This year’s event will be the 13th BTSNY Annual Benefit. These unique and electrifying annual events help BTSNY raise more than $1 million each year to support local youth wrestling programs which empower young people in New York City. The BTSNY Annual Benefit after-party will follow the conclusion of Final X. Benefit tickets and sponsorship packages (Final X plus exclusive after-party celebration access), that also provide the best wrestling-event seats, are available at give.btsny.org/beatthestreetsbenefit2023. For more information on ticket packages, email Katrin Pokalyukhin at katrin@btsny.org. Event-only tickets for Final X without access to the BTSNY after-party celebration are available on Ticketmaster.