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

Sunday, May 30, 2021 - 03:22 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)

#WrestleBelgrade

Tokyo silvers Fumita, Aleksanyan book Paris Olympic trip in Belgrade

Friday, September 22, 2023 - 18:12 By Vinay Siwach

BELGRADE, Serbia (September 22) – Two Tokyo Olympic silver medalists will look to win a gold medal in Paris next year after Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN) and Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) qualified for the Paris Olympics by reaching the final in the respective weight classes at the World Championships in Belgrade.

Fumita, a two-time world champion, reached the final at 60kg while Aleksanyan, a three-time Olympic medalist including gold, reached the gold medal bout at 97kg.

Kyrgyzstan and Cuba earned Paris Olympic quotas as well with world champion Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) reaching the final at 60kg and Gabriel ROSILLO (CUB) at 97kg after he stunned Tokyo bronze medalist Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) in the semifinal.

Fumita defeated Gevorg GHARIBYAN (ARM), who defeated returning silver medalist Edmond NAZARYAN (BUL) in the first round, 5-1 in the semifinal as he got two turns from par terre while defending successfully when he was put in the same position.

But the Japan star's biggest test was in the first bout when he faced former world champion Victor CIOBANU (MDA). Fumita was saved by a challenge from the Japan corner after Ciobanu was awarded a takedown and a four-point throw. In the replay, it was seen that Ciobanu blocked Fumita's attack by hands below Fumita's waist. As a result, Fumita was awarded two penalty points.

The two also met in the quarterfinals at the 2019 World Championships, with Fumita notching a wild 12-5 win en route to his second career gold.

“In the first round, more than my ability, it was the decision of the gods,” Fumita said. “I didn't feel like he touched my leg. But it was definitively shown and I went on to win. If there is a wrestling god, I thought I can't waste the opportunity it gave me.”

As per Japan federation rules, a wrestler who earns the Paris Olympic quota with a medal at the World Championships automatically secures a spot on the Japanese team to Paris.

For Fumita, the trip to Paris will be extra special as his father, who was also his high school coach, and his wife will join him on the trip.

“My condition is not at the very best,” he said. “I went through various things to get here. But my feeling is strong that I have to return with [the Paris berth]. My father also really wants me to take him to Paris. My wife, too. I'm really happy that I can proudly bring them with me to the arena in Paris.”

The 3-1 win over Ciobanu and the 5-1 victory in the semifinal were unlike the Fumita of old. The Japanese star was known for his big moves, which even cost him a few bouts in the past, but he has made peace with his subdued way of wrestling to earn wins.

“Last year was really disappointing,” he said. “But if that's the way world wrestling is, instead of doing spectacular moves, to win I can just be very basic. I've spent the past year thinking about it. It's really plain now. Honestly speaking, it's not interesting for me to do it. And it's probably not interesting to watch.”

Fumita will hope to continue his form in the final against defending champion Sharshenbekov who he defeated in the Asian Championships final 4-0 in 2020 in New Delhi.

“He's the defending champion and I'll be the one as the challenger. I'll try to do like I did four years ago,” Fumita said referring to his gold-medal run in Astana in 2019.

Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) won his semifinal against Mehdi MOHSEN NEJAD (IRI) 4-3. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

Sharshenbekov has since improved significantly, winning the World and Asian Championships last year along with the world silver in 2021.

He was in a league of his own, making it to the semifinal against Mehdi MOHSEN NEJAD (IRI) with three technical superiority wins.

Mohsen Nejad was on his way to upset the world champion but Sharshenbekov scored a stepout to earn a 4-3 lead and defended it to beat the Iranian.

Sharshenbekov led 3-0 after a front roll from par terre but gave up a takedown when failing to get through a headlock. Mohsen Nejad got the criteria 3-3 lead when Sharshenbekov was called passive in the second period but that was short-lived as Sharshenbekov scored a stepout for one point.

At 97kg, Aleksanyan showed unreal par terre game winning three of his four bouts when his opponent was put in the par terre. He took only a minute and 57 seconds to beat Artur OMAROV (CZE) in the quarterfinal and five seconds more to beat Mindaugas VENCKAITIS (LTU) in the semifinals.

Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) works a gut-wrench against Mindaugas VENCKAITIS (LTU). (Photo: UWW / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Aleksanyan will look to win his fifth world title on Saturday against former U20 world champion and Tokyo Olympian Rossilo who secured a 3-0 win over 2021 world champion and returning bronze medalist Saravi in the semifinal.

Rosillo got the 1-0 lead when Saravi was called passive in the first period. But he used an arm drag to body-lock Saravi and get two points for a correct throw. Saravi never got going after that.

Rosillo's win brings Peter OHLER (GER), Rustam ASSAKALOV (UZB), and U20 world champion Abubakar KHASLAKHANAU (AIN) to the repechage. One of them will wrestle Saravi for the bronze medal.

In the only non-Olympic weight class in action on Friday, 72kg, returning world champion Ali ARSALAN (SRB), silver medalist Ulvi GANIZADE (AZE) and bronze medalist Selcuk CAN (TUR) failed to reach the final.

Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA) became the first French Greco-Roman wrestler since 2014 to reach the final of the World Championships after he defeated Can 4-0 in the semifinals while Robert FRITSCH (HUN) managed to see off Shingo HARADA (JPN) 3-1 in the other semifinal.

Fritsch, who lost to Arsalan last year, was trailing 9-5 in the quarterfinal against Arsalan but scored a pin over the Serb who seemed to have given up due to exhaustion.

With Arsalan's loss, U20 world champion Daniel SHORABI (IRI) will return to Iran without a medal as he lost to Arsalan 7-7.

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

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Tokyo silvers Fumita, Aleksanyan book Paris Olympic trip in Belgrade