Beach wrestling

Action-Packed Day One at Beach Wrestling Worlds

Saturday, October 6, 2018 - 20:39 By Marc Berman

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SARIGERME, Turkey (October 6th and 7th) --  The sun has set over the beach in Turkey as day one of the 2018 Beach Wrestling World Championships has come to an end. 

Qualification rounds took place for Cadet, Junior and Senior divisions today, setting the stage for tomorrow's thrilling finals matches.

With temperatures reaching 30 degree celsius defending champion Semen RADULOV (UKR) defeated Turkish opponents in both of his matches today at 70kg without being scored against. Tomorrow, Radulov will open the day with Vegard STROEM (NOR) in his first match and setting up a possible collision with Konstantine KHABALASHVILI (GEO) who also went undefeated today with just one point scored against him.

Jakob MAKARASHVILI (GEO) won three matches today in impressive fashion at 80kg and will take on teammate Jumber KVELASHVILI (GEO) in the semifinals. The other semifinal will be Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR) against Efe Sami UNAL (TUR). Unal fell to Mykhail in the group round in a tight match, 2-1.

The returning 90kg champion Muhammad INAM (PAK) picked up where he left off last year cruising past both his opponents and will now face Mihai Nicolae PALAGHIA (ROU) in his third qualifying match. Patrik PUESPOEKI (HUN) went 1-1 on the day but pulled of the upset of Chris BORG (NOR) 3-0 and takes on Borg’s fellow countryman John Harald Foss FJELDBU (NOR) in his 3rd group match on Sunday.

The heavyweight title just may stay in Turkey with Baki SAHIN (TUR) and Irfan METE (TUR) both making the semifinal. Sahin faces scrappy Niazi IMPIS (GRE) and Mete takes on Rares Daniel CHINTOAN (ROU) in the other semifinal. Chintoan was a force on day one going undefeated in three matches.

In women’s action, Kamila BARBOSA VITO DA SILVA (BRA) takes on Sevil ALIOGLU (TUR) while Maria Alexandra CIOCLEA (ROU) will face teammate Stefania Claudia PRICEPUTU (ROU) in the 50kg semifinals. Barbosa and Aliogl are lined up for an exciting match as both athletes were in top form on Saturday. The winner could be the 2018 gold medalist at 50kg.

Reigning 60kg champion Francesca INDELICATO (ITA) is a star in the making, looking to take home her second world title in as many years. Indelicato ran into some trouble against Camila FAMA TRISTAO (BRA) in a round 2 match up. Indelicato was down by one point late before scoring a takedown in the closing seconds of the match for the victory. First-timer Jeannie Agnes KESSLER (AUT) will look to stop Indelicato run of making it two-in-a-row in the semifinals.

All eyes are on team Norway at 70kg as countrywomen Charlotte SKAUEN (NOR) and Cesilie Hoeivik MAGNUSSEN (NOR) will face off in a semifinal match. The Norwegians were dominate all day with a 5-1 record with Skauen winning her three matches with no points scored against. She brings a physicality that has yet to be stopped this weekend. On the other side of the bracket Beatrice DUKOV OANCEA (ROU) and Adina Elena POPESCU (ROU) will face off.

Aikaterini Eirini PITSIAVA (GRE) is the last roadblock in the way of the heavyweight title going home with team Romania. Pitsiava had 3 matches today defeating two Turkish opponents and Adina Ionela IRIMIA (ROU), the youngest competitor in the women’s Seniors. If Irimia can win her semifinal match, we could see a rematch in the final.

Match by match results can be found here: https://bit.ly/2zVYfgB

Day 2 will start 7am GMT tomorrow, watch the live stream on United World Wrestling

 

#WestleAcapulco

Pan-American Championships Preview

Tuesday, February 20, 2024 - 12:21 By Gaurav Bhatt

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ACAPULCO, Mexico (February 20) --- The sun-soaked city of Acapulco, Mexico, gears up to host the Pan-American Wrestling Championships from February 21st to 24th, drawing the region's elite grapplers across Freestyle, Greco-Roman, and Women's Wrestling. 

The tournament precedes the Pan-American Olympic Qualifiers, which can have only those countries participating in the Pam-American Championships.

Let's delve deeper into each style and highlight some of the most anticipated clashes. 

Freestyle Wrestling

All eyes will be on world champions Kyle DAKE (74 kg) and Kyle SNYDER (97 kg), who will take the mat on Friday and Saturday. 

Dake can expect to run into four-time World medallist Geandry GARZON (CUB). Dake won the last contest between the two during his run for the repechage bronze at the Tokyo Olympics. The 74kg field also features two-time medallists Hernan GUZMAN (COL) and Cesar ALVAN (BRA).

In the 97kg category, Snyder can run into familiar foe Arturo TORRES (CUB). The 2016 Olympic champion Snyder is looking for his sixth gold at the Pan American Championships. Torres, meanwhile, will look to avenge his three defeats in the finals against Snyder — including in the gold-medal clash last year in Buenos Aires. 

The 74kg category will feature five-time medallist at the event Pedro MEJIAS (VEN), Pan-Am Games bronze medallist Osmany MARTINEZ (CUB), and Spencer LEE (USA) who makes his international debut as a three-time age group world champion.

Cuban Alejandro VALDES TOBIER will bring his experience to the mat in the 65kg category. The reigning Pan-Am Games champion and two-time world medallist — who lost last year’s final to John Michael DIAKOMIHALIS (USA) — will take on contenders such as three-time bronze medallist Agustín DESTRIBATS (ARG) and US senior world team member Nicholas LEE (USA). 

Elsewhere, Yurieski TORREBLANCA (CUB) will look to double up on his 86kg gold from last year.

CUBDefending champion Oscar PINO (CUB) is set to compete in Acapulco, with his sights set on winning a sixth Pan-Am title. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

Greco Roman

Oscar PINO (CUB) will be out to defend his Greco-Roman 130kg title in Acapulco. The 30-year-old is hunting for his sixth gold medal at the event to add to his four World medals. Cohlton Schultz (USA), who finished runner-up at the PanAm Games last November, would aim to halt the Cuban juggernaut.

Also on the quest for back-to-back golds are Americans Spencer WOODS and Kamal BEY, and Daniel HECHAVARRIA (CUB). 

Bey can expect to fight his 77kg nemesis, Yosvanys PENA FLORES  (CUB). In 2019, the Cuban defeated Bey in the Pan-Am Championships final before Bey edged Pena Flores for the 77kg crown in Buenos Aires last year. At the Pan-Am Games in November, Bey settled the score with a win over Pena Flores en route to the continental gold.

Woods, who took home the 82kg gold last year, has moved up a division to set up a potential clash with reigning 87kg gold medallist Hechavarria.

usaOlympic champion Helen MAROULIS (USA) headlines the women's wrestling entries. She'll wrestle at 57kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

Women’s wrestling

The women’s competition will be highlighted by world medallists from the U.S.: Helen MAROULIS (57 kg), Kayla MIRACLE (62 kg), Macey KILTY (65 kg), and Adeline GRAY (76 kg).

Six-time world champion Gray returns to the Pan American Championships looking to add to her collection of three gold medals at the event.

Maroulis, three-time world and 2016 Olympic champion, can run into some resistance from last year’s bronze medallist Angela Alvarez (CUB).

Kilty’s 65 kg opponents will include 2022 silver medallist Miki ROWBOTTOM(CAN), while Miracle can run into Maria SANTANA (CUB), who finished runner-up at the Pan Am Games. 

World medallist Diana WEICKER (CAN) will return to defend her 55kg title. 

Catch all the action from the Pan-American Championships live on UWW+.