#WrestleGuatemala

Brazil’s Rodrigues Wins Second-Consecutive Pan Am Title, Secures Golden Boot

By Taylor Miller

GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala – Giullia RODRIGUES PENALBER DE OLIVEIRA (BRA) took out U23 World champion Alexandria TOWN (CAN) twice on Saturday to win the gold medal at 57kg at the 2021 Pan American Championships.

Earlier in the day, Rodrigues pinned Town in the first period, and in the final, the Brazilian repeated her effort with another fall, this time in the second period for her second-consecutive Pan American title. For her performance, Rodrigues earned the Golden Boot as the tournament’s Outstanding Wrestler.

Five wrestlers from the United States won titles in women’s freestyle on Saturday, including five-time World champion Adeline GRAY (USA), 2019 World champion Tamyra MENSAH-STOCK (USA), 2018 World silver medalist Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA), Olympian Kayla MIRACLE (USA) and Cadet World champion Ronna HEATON (USA).

Competing at 76kg, Gray, who will wrestle in her second Olympic Games later this year, claimed four wins on the day. In her final bout of the competition, Gray took on 2014 World silver medalist Aline DA SILVA FERREIRA (BRA), whom she defeated 8-0. The win marks her fourth Pan American gold medal. She won three at the Championships and one at the Pan Am Games in 2015.

Mensah-Stock didn’t spend much time on the mat en route to her winning the 68kg crown for the fourth-straight time. In the gold-medal match, Mensah-Stock took out two-time Pan Am finalist Yessica OVIEDO PEREZ (DOM), 10-4.

Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA) claimed the 50kg with a 10-0 shutout over Jacqueline MOLLOCANA ELENO (ECU). (Photo: Tony Rotundo)

Olympian Sarah Hildebrandt handling captured the crown at 50kg. To take gold, she downed 2020 Pan Am bronze medalist and past Junior Pan Am champion Jacqueline MOLLOCANA ELENO (ECU) with a 10-0 victory. This is Hildebrandt’s sixth-overall continental gold medal.

Miracle, a U23 World silver medalist, dominated 2019 Pan American champion Lais NUNES DE OLIVEIRA (BRA), 6-0, recording her second win of the day over the Brazilian. Earlier in the day, Miracle won 10-0 to start her tournament. She adds to her 2019 Pan Am Games title.

Taking the crown at 53kg, Ronna HEATON (USA) defeated 2011 Junior World bronze medalist Luisa VALVERDE MELENDRES (ECU). Earlier in the tournament, Valverde won 10-0 over the American, but in their second matchup, Heaton was able to turn the tables in her favor, 9-6.

In a special and emotional moment during women’s freestyle competition, longtime Argentinian representative and four-time Pan American medalist Luz VAZQUEZ (ARG) retired from competition after winning bronze at 68kg.

In the team race, USA won with 240 points. Taking second was Brazil with 144 points, and rounding out the top-three was Canada with 115 points.

Nathan JACKSON (USA) was one of two USA freestylers who were crowned champions on Saturday. (Photo: Tony Rotundo)

Alongside the six women’s freestyle weights, two men’s freestyle weights were contested on Saturday, 79kg and 92kg, both of which the USA won.

Thomas GANTT (USA) earned the gold at 79kg, defeating Nestor TAFUR BARRIOS (COL) with an 8-0 win in the finals. Overall, he won four matches on the day, including three by technical superiorities.

In his Pan American debut, Nathan JACKSON (USA) collected the gold medal in round-robin action at 92kg. In his last bout, Jackson defeated Jeremy POIRIER (CAN) with an impressive 10-0 first-period performance.

The competition continues Sunday with the final eight weight classes in men’s freestyle. Action begins at 12 p.m. ET live on uww.org.

En Espanol

CIUDAD DE GUATEMALA – Giullia RODRIGUES PENALBER DE OLIVEIRA (BRA) derrotó a la campeona mundial U23 Alexandria TOWN (CAN) dos veces para ganar la medalla de oro en 57kg en el campeonato panamericano en la Ciudad de Guatemala el sábado.

Más temprano en el día, Rodrigues venció a Town por puesta espalda en el primer periodo, compitiendo en una competencia en estilo Nordic. En el final, Rodrigues ganó otra vez por puesta espalda en 4:23. Es su segundo título panamericano consecutivo. Gracias a su gran día, Rodrigues recibió el botín de oro.

Cinco estadounidenses reclamó títulos en estilo libre femenino, incluyendo cinco veces campeona mundial Adeline GRAY (USA), campeona mundial 2019 Tamyra MENSAH-STOCK (USA), medallista mundial 2018 Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA), olímpica Kayla MIRACLE (USA) y campeona mundial cadete Ronna HEATON (USA).

Compitiendo en la categoría 76kg, Gray, una dos veces olímpica, emergió victoriosa en cuatro combates. En el final, se enfrentó a medallista de plata mundial 2014 Aline DA SILVA FERREIRA (BRA). Gray dominó por 8-0. Es su cuarta medalla de oro panamericana. Ganó los campeonatos panamericanos en 2018 y 2019, y también tiene un oro de los Juegos Panamericanos Toronto en 2015.

Mensah-Stock no estaba en el colchón por mucho tiempo hoy. Ella triunfó en los tres combates en 68kg por la corona. En la final, Mensah-Stock derrotó a Yessica OVIEDO PEREZ (DOM), una dos veces finalista panamericana, con un 10-4 victoria. El oro marca su cuarto título panamericano consecutivo.

Hildebrandt, olímpica, dominó a la categoría 50kg. En el final, venció a Jacqueline MOLLOCANA ELENO (ECU), una medallista de bronce panamericana 2020, con una puntuación 10-0. Es su sexto medalla de oro panamericano.

En el final en la categoría 62kg, olímpica Miracle, una medallista de plata mundial U23, dominó a la campeona panamericana 2019 Lais NUNES DE OLIVEIRA (BRA), 6-0, por la segunda vez hoy para ganar su segunda oro panamericano. Esta mañana, Miracle abrió su torneo contra Nunes y ganó 10-0. Ella también tiene un oro de los Juegos Panamericanos Lima en 2019.

En la categoría 53kg, Ronna HEATON (USA) superó contra medallista mundial juvenil Luisa VALVERDE MELENDRES (ECU) en el final, vengando una pérdida de Valverde, 10-0, más temprano en el día. Heaton estaba perdiendo 6-0 pero anotó nueve puntos para ganar el oro, 9-6.

En un momento muy especial durante la competencia de estilo libre femenino, la representante argentina y cuatro veces medallista panamericana Luz VAZQUEZ (ARG) se retiró de la competencia después de ganar el bronce en 68kg.

USA capturó el título del equipo con 240 puntos. Ganando la plata fue Brasil con 144 puntos, y en el tercer lugar fue Canadá con 115 puntos.

Además de las seis categorías de estilo libre femenino el sábado, se disputaron dos pesos de estilo libre masculino, 79kg y 92kg. USA ganó ambos.

Thomas GANTT ganó el oro en la categoría 79kg, derrotando a Nestor TAFUR BARRIOS (COL) en el final, 8-0. En total, Gantt reclamó cuatro victorias, incluyendo tres por superioridades técnicas.

En 92kg, Nathan JACKSON (USA) recibió el oro en su debut panamericano. Compitiendo en un round robin, Jackson ganó cuatro peleas. Para el título, Jackson venció contra Jeremy POIRIER (CAN), 10-0, en el primer periodo.

La competencia sigue mañana con las ocho categorías restantes en estilo libre masculino. Empieza a las 10 a.m. hora local. Se puede ver en uww.org.

WOMEN’S FREESTYLE RESULTS
50kg
GOLD – Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA) df.
Jacqueline MOLLOCANA ELENO (ECU), 10-0
BRONZE – Kamila BARBOSA VITO DA SILVA (BRA) df. Yusmy CHAPARRO URREGO (COL), 3-0
BRONZE – Patricia BERMUDEZ (ARG) df. Madison PARKS (CAN), 5-2

53kg
GOLD – Ronna HEATON (USA) df.
Luisa VALVERDE MELENDRES (ECU), 9-6
BRONZE – Sabrina GAMA TAPAJOS (BRA) df. Laura PEREDO TORRES (MEX), 2-2

57kg
GOLD – Giullia RODRIGUES PENALBER DE OLIVEIRA (BRA) df. Alexandria TOWN (CAN), fall 3:40
BRONZE – Cameron GUERIN (USA) df. Alma VALENCIA ESCOTO (MEX), 7-2

62kg
GOLD – Kayla MIRACLE (USA) df. Lais NUNES DE OLIVEIRA (BRA), 6-0
BRONZE – Alejandra ROMERO BONILLA (MEX) df. Leonela AYOVI PARRAGA (ECU), 11-0

68kg
GOLD – Tamyra STOCK MENSAH (USA) df.
Yessica OVIEDO PEREZ (DOM), 10-4
BRONZE – Luz Clara VAZQUEZ (ARG) df. Ambar GARNICA FLORES (MEX), fall 4:23
BRONZE – Grabriela PEDRO DA ROCHA (BRA) df. Alexia SHERLAND (CAN), 10-0

76kg
GOLD – Adeline GRAY (USA)
SILVER – Genesis REASCO VALDEZ (ECU)
BRONZE –
Aline DA SILVA FERREIRA (BRA)

MEN’S FREESTYLE
79kg
GOLD – Thomas GANTT (USA) df. Nestor TAFUR BARRIOS (COL), 8-0
BRONZE – Samuel BARMISH (CAN) df. Jorge LLANO (ARG), 6-0

92kg
GOLD – Nathan JACKSON (USA)
SILVER – Jeremy POIRIER (CAN)
BRONZE – Angel BAUTISTA LOPEZ (MEX)

#WrestleZagreb

Zagreb Open: Snyder beats Ghasempour, Zare vs Masoumi in 125kg final

By United World Wrestling Press

ZAGREB, Croatia (January 11) -- Zagreb Open day two is about to give wrestling fans a Kyle SNYDER (USA) vs Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) and Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) vs Amirreza MASOUMI (IRI) at 125kg. Yui SUSAKI (JPN) will also be in action.

Catch all the action from the Zagreb Open Ranking Series free using promo code ZAGREB100.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER

The finals for the evening session are set:

Women's Wrestling

50kg: Yui SUSAKI (JPN) vs. Ziqi FENG (CHN)
55kg: Samantha STEWART (CAN) vs. Roksana ZASINA (POL)

Freestyle

79kg:  Avtandil KENTCHADZE (GEO) vs Mohamad NOKHODI (IRI)
92kg: Andro MARGISHVILI (GEO) vs Nathan JACKSON (USA)
97kg: Kyle SNYDER (USA) vs Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI)
125kg: Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) vs Amirreza MASOUMI (IRI)

13:45: Over on Mat A, world bronze medalist Ziqi FENG (CHN) rolled to a 12-2 win over world silver medalist Otgonjargal DOLGORJAV (MGL) to reach the 50kg final. She will take on Yui SUSAKI (JPN) in a rematch of the World Championships semifinal which Susaki won 4-2.

13:40: Kyle SNYDER (USA) and Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) step out for the 97kg semifinal. Snyder with the first attacks and gets a stepout. Ghasempour is warned for activity and put on the 30-second clock. Snyder leads 2-0 at the break. Ghasempour gets a single leg but switches for a stepout. Snyder circles and scores a takedown with ease. Snyder leads 4-0 with a minute left. Snyder will hold off Ghasempour and march into the 97kg final with a 4-0 win. He will face Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI).

13:30: Amirreza MASOUMI (IRI) and Mason PARRIS (USA) on Mat A now. An underhook heavy Masoumi scores the first stepout but Parris with a takedown. Masoumi with another stepout. Parris shoots for a single leg but Masoumi blocks and gets exposure but Parris rolls him over for two points. 4-4 criteria lead for Parris. Masoumi with a takedown and Parris is put in par terre for fleeing the hold. Masoumi gets a gut wrench and makes it 8-4 at the break. Parris gets on some of the leg attacks but doesn't finish any. Masoumi still leads 8-4. Parris gives up a stepout but scores a takedown to make it 9-6. Masoumi is still with the lead. Two to finish the match and Masoumi wins 11-6 and sets up a final against Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI)

13:20: Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) pulls out injured against Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) in their 125kg semifinal. Zare had defeated Petraishvili in the World Championships final last year.

13:15: World bronze medalist Anna LUKASIAK (POL) had the world silver medalist Otgonjargal DOLGORJAV (MGL) in trouble with four points but Dolgorjav hung on for a 5-4 win.

13:10: Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI) keeps off a stunning comeback from Isaac TRUMBLE (USA) t to win 8-7 and advance to the 97kg semifinals.

13:05: Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) is called for passivity against Ibrahim CIFTCI (TUR) and gives up the activity point. Ghasempour with a takedown just before the break to lead 2-1. He begins the second period with a takedown and adds another to lead 6-1. No more scores in the bout and we have Kyle SNYDER vs Kamran GHASEMPOUR semifinal at 97kg.

12:55: Kyle SNYDER (USA) into the semifinals at 97kg with a 10-0 win over Cristian SARCO (VEN). Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) taking on Ibrahim CIFTCI (TUR) now to see if he can set up the semifinal against Snyder. 

12:50: Yui SUSAKI (JPN) with another victory via superiority and she moves into the 50kg semifinals. Susaki looks in dominant form so far, as expected.

12:45: Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) with a technical superiority win over Nicholas GWIAZDOWSKI (USA) at 125kg. He will get Petriashvili in the semifinals.

12:40: Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO), leading 3-0 against Robert BARAN (POL) at 125kg, seems to have pulled a muscle around his ribs. He has called for medical attention. He resumes the bout and wins 10-0 but looks in trouble. He also has a heavily tapped left knee.

12:30: A surprise entry into the semifinals at 97kg as VICKY (UWW) beat Mamuka KORDZAIA (GEO) 5-0. Solid performance from Vicky so far for his three wins.

12:15: Elizaveta SMIRNOVA (AIN) scored a takedown on Yui SUSAKI (JPN) but the Japanese answered with a reversal and then an arm bar to pin Smirnova! Into the quarterfinals at 50kg.

12:00: That was a long bout for Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) against Awusayiman HABILA (CHN). Perhaps saving some energy for later but Habila cut the lead to 4-2 before Ghasempour scored a takedown to win 6-2.

11:30: Kyle SNYDER (USA) wins at 97kg and Amirreza MASOUMI (IRI) holds off Youssif HEMIDA (EGY) at 125kg. Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) is up next on Mat B

11:20: Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) survives a scare. Kamil KOSCIOLEK (POL) scored a takedown to lead 2-0 but Petriasvili, seemingly in some trouble, managed to crawl back and win 3-2. On Mat B, Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) blanks Zhewei DENG (CHN) 10-0.

10:55: 20 seconds! That's the time Yui SUSAKI (JPN) needed to pin Mariana ROJAS (VEN) at 50kg.

10:50: Two-time world silver medalist Otgonjargal DOLGORJAV (MGL) rolls to a 10-0 lead before securing a fall against Agata WALERZAK (POL) at 50kg to kick off Women's Wrestling at the Zagreb Open.

10:45: Kyle SNYDER (USA) and Tuerxunbieke MUHEITE (CHN) wrestling on Mat C. Snyder with a stepout. Mueite answers with his own. Snyder with a double-leg with a four. He adds one more in the second and a takedown to win 11-1 at 97kg.

10:30: Amirreza MASOUMI (IRI) and Givi MATCHRASHVILI (GEO) wrestling at 125kg. The Georgian is a 97kg wrestler but has decided not to cut weight at the start of the season. He is up at 125kg but trailing 4-0 at the break against Masoumi. A match that was never in Matchrashvili's grabs as Masoumi beats him 6-2 at 125kg.

10:00: Welcome to day two of the Zagreb Open! Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) and Daniel LIGETI (HUN) at 125kg put on a show, sort of. Petriashvili was trailing 3-0 but added three takedowns in the second period to win 6-3 and advance.