Burroughs, Dake, Hildebrandt Headline Stacked Pan-American C'ship Entry List

Tuesday, April 26, 2022 - 13:20 By Eric Olanowski

ACAPULCO, Mexico, (April 26) --- The Pan-American Championships are headed to the beautiful Mexican seaport city of Acapulco next week, May 5-8. The red-hot entry list features 285 athletes from 20 different nations – including nine champions from last year’s Guatemala City Pan-Am Championships.

The stacked women’s wrestling side of the event will feature returning champs Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA), Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA), Giullia RODRIGUES PENALBER DE OLIVEIRA (BRA) and Kayla MIRACLE (USA). Oslo world bronze medalists Samantha STEWART (CAN) and Forrest MOLINARI (USA) will also in action.

Outside of the established senior-level talent, rising stars and 2021 U23 world champions Lucia YEPEZ GUZMAN (ECU) and Ana Paula GODINEZ GONZALEZ (CAN) are looking to make some noise on the senior level. They are entered into the competition at 55kg and 62kg, respectively.

In Greco-Roman, Benjamin PROVISOR (USA), Kevin MEJIA CASTILLO (HON) and Leo Dalis SANTANA HEREDIA (DOM) are the trio of returning champs heading to Mexico.

Despite Cuba sitting out some of their top-tier talent on their Greco-Roman squad, superstars Ismael BORRERO MOLINA (CUB) and Oscar PINO HINDS (CUB) are planning to return to the mat in Mexico.

Borrero, the two-time world champion and Rio Olympic gold medalist, will be lacing his boots up for the first time since the Tokyo Olympic Games. After dominating his way gold at the 2019 World Championships, the Cuban was favored to win gold at the Tokyo Olympics. But after battling COVID twice, Borrero lacked his ’19 strength and conditioning and failed to medal in Japan.

Pino Hinds, the ’19 world runner-up, will be jumping back into the Cuban lineup after taking a bench seat due to the return of four-time Olympic champion Mijain LOPEZ (CUB).

Headliners Kyle DAKE (USA) and Kyle SNYDER (USA) round out the list of last year’s gold medalists heading to Mexico.

Dake, the Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist, is set to return to action for the first time since winning his third consecutive world title. He’ll compete at the Olympic weight of 74kg.

Snyder, the seven-time world and Olympic medalist, will step on the mat for the third time this season. He opened the year with a gold at the Ivan Yariguin. He’ll wrestle at 97kg. He defeated J'den COX (USA), who'll be in USA's lineup at 92kg, in a best-two-of-three series, two-matches-to-none.

Other freestyle guys to pay attention to are reigning world champions Thomas GILMAN (USA) and Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) Gilman will wrestle at the Olympic weight of 57kg, while Burroughs and Cox will wrestle at the non-Olympic weights of 79kg and 92kg, respectively.

All the action from Mexico starts April 5 and can be followed live on www.uww.org.

Three-time world champion Kyle DAKE (USA) will be looking to defend his 74kg Pan-Am title. He's entered at 74kg. (Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

Freestyle

57kg
Bryan Lucas DE OLIVEIRA PEREIRA (BRA)
Darthe CAPELLAN (CAN)
Pedro Alfredo GALAZ PAVEZ (CHI)
Oscar Eduardo TIGREROS URBANO (COL)
Alexei ALVAREZ BLANCO (CUB)
Juan Rubelin RAMIREZ BELTRE (DOM)
Guesseppe Ricardo REA VILLARROEL (ECU)
Edwin Alexi SEGURA GUERRA (GUA)
Brandon Jesus ESCOBAR AMADOR (HON)
Roberto ALEJANDRO BLANCO (MEX)
Enrique Armando HERRERA HUACRE (PER)
Darian Toi CRUZ (PUR)
Thomas Patrick GILMAN (USA)
Joshua Andrew RODRIGUEZ (USA)
Pedro Jesus MEJIAS RODRIGUEZ (VEN)

61kg
Logan James SLOAN (CAN)
Pedro Bryan FLORES SALAZAR (MEX)
Joseph Andres SILVA (PUR)
Daton Duain FIX (USA)
Zachary R ESPOSITO (USA)

65kg
Agustin Alejandro DESTRIBATS (ARG)
Dom Juan MARTINS FERREIRA (BRA)
Jacob Tizoc ALEXANDER TORRES (CAN)
Andre Renato QUISPE FAJARDO (CHI)
Wber Euclides CUERO MUNOZ (COL)
Cristian Damian SOLENZAL LOPEZ (CUB)
Albaro RUDECINDO CAMACHO (DOM)
Mauricio Javier SANCHEZ SALTOS (ECU)
Jonnathan Alejandro PEREZ CASTELLANOS (GUA)
Cristian Bernardo SANTIAGO PEREZ (MEX)
Sixto Miguel AUCCAPINA PEDRAGAS (PER)
Sebastian C RIVERA (PUR)
Julian Andres PEREZ CONDE (URU)
Joseph Christopher MC KENNA (USA)
Adonys Josue MONTERO CHIRINOS (VEN)

70kg
Cristian Andres KARLIKOWSKI (ARG)
Vinicius DA SILVA JOAQUIM (BRA)
Emmanuel Olufemi OLAPADE (CAN)
Alexis OLVERA MAGALLANES (MEX)
Jhon Wilmer CHUNGA CARRENO (PER)
Zain Allen RETHERFORD (USA)

74kg
Cesar BORDEAUX REGO ALVAN (BRA)
Jasmit Singh PHULKA (CAN)
Leon Juan Pablo PERALTA LANAS (CHI)
Andres Alexander RAMIREZ MEJIAS (COL)
Franklin MAREN CASTILLO (CUB)
Julio Rafael RODRIGUEZ ROMERO (DOM)
Sergio Peter GODOY VITE (ECU)
Enrique Josue PEREZ CASTELLANOS (GUA)
Diego Antonio SANDOVAL ZARCO (MEX)
Angel Eduardo CORTES BONILLA (PAN)
Pablo Dario VERA INSFRAN (PAR)
Antony Gaston IPARRAGUIRRE PEREYRA (PER)
Franklin GOMEZ MATOS (PUR)
Kyle Douglas DAKE (USA)
Anthony Jose MONTERO CHIRINOS (VEN)

79kg
Samuel Jacob BARMISH (CAN)
Juan Sebastian RIVERA GARCIA (COL)
Miguel Angel ORNELAS REYNOSO (MEX)
Raymin Mir HOSSEINI (PAR)
Victor J SANTOS ACOSTA (PUR)
Jordan Ernest BURROUGHS (USA)

86kg
Jorge Ivan LLANO (ARG)
Andrew Gonzalo VERA JACKSON (BOL)
Giovanni DE OLIVEIRA GAION PIAZZA (BRA)
Taran William GORING (CAN)
Eduardo Ivan GAJARDO MENESES (CHI)
Carlos Arturo IZQUIERDO MENDEZ (COL)
Lazaro Daniel HERNANDEZ LUIS (CUB)
Jorge Klever ANDY TIWI (ECU)
Christian Alejandro ANGUIANO FLORES (MEX)
Ethan Adrian RAMOS (PUR)
Zahid VALENCIA (USA)
Pedro Francisco CEBALLOS FUENTES (VEN)

92kg
Cassio BARBOSA DE OLIVEIRA (BRA)
Jeremy Adam POIRIER (CAN)
Cristian Leopoldo SANCHEZ HERNANDEZ (MEX)
Jden Michael Tbory COX (USA)
Gilberto Segundo AYALA RODRIGUEZ (VEN)

97kg
Ricardo Adrian BAEZ (ARG)
Huberth Efrain SOLIZ MAYSER (BOL)
Ailton BRITO ROCHA (BRA)
Nishan Preet Singh RANDHAWA (CAN)
Matias Ignacio URIBE SEPULVEDA (CHI)
Miller MONDRAGON ARBOLEDA (COL)
Maxwell Lemar LACEY GARITA (CRC)
Arturo SILOT TORRES (CUB)
Luis Miguel PEREZ SOSA (DOM)
Esdras Carlos LOPEZ PEREZ (MEX)
Kyle Frederick SNYDER (USA)
Cristian Jose SARCO COLMENAREZ (VEN)

125kg
Catriel Pehuen MURIEL (ARG)
Gabriel DE SOUSA SILVA (BRA)
Amarveer DHESI (CAN)
Diego Jesus ALMENDRAS RODRIGUEZ (CHI)
Jhoan Andres OCORO PALOMINO (COL)
Ibrain TORRES ESPINOSA (CUB)
Elison ADAMES GARCIA (DOM)
Brandon Eloin ANGUIANO FLORES (MEX)
Charles Zachary MERRILL (PUR)
Nicholas Edward GWIAZDOWSKI (USA)
Jose Daniel DIAZ ROBERTTI (VEN)

Olympic champion Ismael BORRERO MOLINA (CUB) will return to the mat at the Pan-American Championships. He'll compete at 67kg. (Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

Greco-Roman

55kg
Gemerson MOURA DOS SANTOS (BRA)
Brandon Jesus ESCOBAR AMADOR (HON)
Axel Andre SALAS ESQUIVEL (MEX)
Brady Andrew KOONTZ (USA)

60kg
Marat GARIPOV (BRA)
Pedro Maximiliano GUTIERREZ URRUTIA (CHI)
Dicther Hans TORO CASTANEDA (COL)
Leonardo HERRERA HECHEVARRIA (CUB)
Maikol JOSEFA (DOM)
Antonio Jordan RUIZ MORA (ECU)
Emerson Isaias FELIPE ORDONEZ (GUA)
Samuel GURRIA VIGUERAS (MEX)
Joao Marco BENAVIDES ROCHABRUN (PER)
Randon Drew MIRANDA (USA)
Raiber Jose RODRIGUEZ OROZCO (VEN)

63kg
Jose Alberto RODRIGUEZ HERNANDEZ (MEX)
Samuel Lee JONES (USA)

67kg
Mauricio Alejandro LOVERA (ARG)
Kenedy Anderson MORAES PEDROSA (BRA)
Cristobal Alonso TORRES NUNEZ (CHI)
Julian Stiven HORTA ACEVEDO (COL)
Ismael BORRERO MOLINA (CUB)
Enyer Manuel FELICIANO (DOM)
Cristhian Alberto RIVAS CASTRO (ECU)
Andres Roberto MONTANO ARROYO (ECU)
Jose Alejandro VARELA GARCIA (GUA)
Diego Alberto MARTINEZ DE LEIJA (MEX)
Lisandro Manuel CABRERA ORTIZ (PAR)
Nilton Gonzalo Marcos SOTO GARCIA (PER)
Hayden Daniel TUMA (USA)
Neiser MARIMON HIDALGO (VEN)

72kg
Horacio Oscar MIRANDA (ARG)
Cristian Estuardo MEJIA TEPEN (GUA)
Edsson Rafael OLMOS GUTIERREZ (MEX)
Angel Eduardo CORTES BONILLA (PAN)
Patrick Harrison SMITH (USA)

77kg
Jerome Kamel HOYTE (BAR)
Cristian Alberto NOVA ROCA (BOL)
Joilson DE BRITO RAMOS JUNIOR (BRA)
John YEATS (CAN)
Diego Alonso MORENO OLGUIN (CHI)
Jair Alexis CUERO MUNOZ (COL)
Yosvanys PENA FLORES (CUB)
Luis Alfredo DE LEON (DOM)
Daniel Alejandro PINARGOTE SORNOZA (ECU)
David Elias CHOC HUOC (GUA)
Emmanuel Alexis BENITEZ CASTRO (MEX)
Alvis Albino ALMENDRA JIMENEZ (PAN)
Raymin Mir HOSSEINI (PAR)
Ryan CUBAS CASTILLO (PER)
Ravaughn Richard Ravelle PERKINS (USA)
Daniel David BELLO VEGA (VEN)

82kg
Michael Hendson NASCIMENTO DA SILVA LIMA (BRA)
Ioannis NARLIDIS (CAN)
Nestor Joaquin TAFUR BARRIOS (COL)
Reinier JIMENEZ TERRY (GUA)
Daniel VICENTE GOMEZ (MEX)
Benjamin Errol PROVISOR (USA)

87kg
Andre Luiz RAMOS PINTO (BRA)
Guillermo Andres GONZALEZ SEPULVEDA (CHI)
Carlos Andres MUNOZ JARAMILLO (COL)
Daniel GREGORICH HECHAVARRIA (CUB)
Johan Antonio BATISTA (DOM)
Ariel Andres ALFONSO RODRIGUEZ (HON)
Alfonso Antonio LEYVA YEPEZ (MEX)
Pool Edinson AMBROCIO GREIFO (PER)
Richard James CARLSON (USA)
Luis Eduardo AVENDANO ROJAS (VEN)

97kg
Igor Fernando ALVES DE QUEIROZ (BRA)
Eduardo Ivan GAJARDO MENESES (CHI)
Carlos Andres VALOR DOMINGUEZ (COL)
Juan Luis CONDE IBANEZ (CUB)
Carlos Alberto ADAMES PALMER (DOM)
Jean Paul NAZARENO NAZARENO (ECU)
Kevin MEJIA CASTILLO (HON)
Luis Gerardo RIVERA ALVARADO (MEX)
Tracy Gangelo HANCOCK (USA)

130kg
Eduard SOGHOMONYAN (BRA)
Jacob Fredrick PHILLIPS (CAN)
Yasmani ACOSTA FERNANDEZ (CHI)
Crhistian David BRAVO VALENCIA (COL)
Oscar PINO HINDS (CUB)
Leo Dalis SANTANA HEREDIA (DOM)
Christian Rafael CHAJON GARCIA (GUA)
Gino Tanislado AVILA DILBERT (HON)
Paul Baltazar MORALES BOJORQUEZ (MEX)
Edgardo Juan LOPEZ MORELL (PUR)
Tanner Richard FARMER (USA)
Moises Salvador PEREZ HELLBURG (VEN)

USA Olympic bronze medalist Sarah HILDEBRANDY headlines the women's wrestling entries. She'll compete at 50kg. (Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

Women’s Wrestling

50kg
Patricia Alejandra BERMUDEZ (ARG)
Kamila BARBOSA VITO DA SILVA (BRA)
Madison Bianca PARKS (CAN)
Margarita Priscila GONZALEZ GREZ (CHI)
Alisson Camila CARDOZO REY (COL)
Yoannia PEREZ NUNEZ (CUB)
Fabiana DIAZ (DOM)
Jacqueline Del Rocio MOLLOCANA ELENO (ECU)
Laura Gabriela PEREDO TORRES (MEX)
Rita Fatima ROJAS CHAVEZ (MEX)
Yorlenis Milagros MORAN SANCHEZ (PAN)
Thalia Jihann MALLQUI PECHE (PER)
Shammilka Alondra MIRANDA DIAZ (PUR)
Sarah Ann HILDEBRANDT (USA)
Mariana Raimary ROJAS DIAZ (VEN)

53kg
Sabrina GAMA TAPAJOS (BRA)
Samantha Leigh STEWART (CAN)
Javiera Belen ORTEGA FERNANDEZ (CHI)
Sandy Yalixa PARRA PARRA (COL)
Amanda HERNANDEZ RODRIGUEZ (CUB)
Anny Guillermina RAMIREZ PEREZ (DOM)
Luisa Elizabeth VALVERDE MELENDRES (ECU)
Karla Abigail ACOSTA MARTINEZ (MEX)
Lourdes Veronica GRENNO MAUNE (PAR)
Nathaly Marilu HERRERA HUACRE (PER)
Gabriela Nicole RAMOS DIAZ (PUR)
Dominique Olivia PARRISH (USA)
Betzabeth Angelica ARGUELLO VILLEGAS (VEN)

55kg
Lislly LIMA DA SILVA (BRA)
Karla Lorena GODINEZ GONZALEZ (CAN)
Lucia Yamileth YEPEZ GUZMAN (ECU)
Brenda Esmeralda Isay FERNANDEZ SALAZAR (MEX)
Nadia Comanecci TRUJILLANO LA ROSA (PER)
Jacarra Gwenisha WINCHESTER (USA)

57kg
Camila Agustina AMARILLA (ARG)
Giullia RODRIGUES PENALBER DE OLIVEIRA (BRA)
Alexandria Rebekkah TOWN (CAN)
Antonia Alejandra VALDES ARRIAGADA (CHI)
Tatiana HURTADO LERMA (COL)
Yaynelis SANZ VERDECIA (CUB)
Maria Marilin GONZALES DE LA ROSA (DOM)
Heidy Katherine ALCIVAR MOREIRA (ECU)
Alma Jane VALENCIA ESCOTO (MEX)
Nes Marie RODRIGUEZ TIRADO (PUR)
Mayra Alejandra PARRA ALVAREZ (VEN)

59kg
Laurence BEAUREGARD (CAN)
Ameyalli Sayil JESSEL ROJAS (MEX)
Xochitl Citalli MOTA PETTIS (USA)

62kg
Lais NUNES DE OLIVEIRA (BRA)
Ana Paula GODINEZ GONZALEZ (CAN)
Javiera Fernanda ROCO PARDO (CHI)
Andrea Yurani GONZALEZ GONGORA (COL)
Yolanda Mercedes CORDERO VARGAS (CUB)
Gloria Saray SEGURA FEBLES (DOM)
Leonela Aleyda AYOVI PARRAGA (ECU)
Alejandra ROMERO BONILLA (MEX)
Ashley Chantelle ZARATE CAMPBELL (PAN)
Kayla Colleen Kiyoko MIRACLE (USA)
Astrid Paola MONTERO CHIRINOS (VEN)

65kg
Miki Elizabeth ROWBOTTOM (CAN)
Saidy Lorena CHAVEZ FIGUEROA (HON)
Atzimba Morelia LANDAVERDE MORENO (MEX)
Forrest Ann MOLINARI (USA)

68kg
Grabriela PEDRO DA ROCHA (BRA)
Kayla Mary BEDNARCIK BRODNER (CAN)
Isidora Romina Manuela DIAZ MARTINEZ (CHI)
Paula Andrea MONTOYA GARCIA (COL)
Hangelen LLANES ECHEVARRIA (CUB)
Yessica Coraima OVIEDO PEREZ (DOM)
Silvia Esperanza HERNANDEZ GONZALES (GUA)
Ambar Michell GARNICA FLORES (MEX)
Yanet Ursula SOVERO NINO (PER)
Ginamarie SANTIAGO AYALA (PUR)
Alara Lea BOYD (USA)
Soleymi Antonieta CARABALLO HERNANDEZ (VEN)

72kg
Brenda AGUIAR DOS SANTOS (BRA)
Taylor Ann FOLLENSBEE (CAN)
Maria Guadalupe GARCIA BAUTISTA (MEX)
Skylar Allison Elizabeth GROTE (USA)

76kg
Linda Marilina MACHUCA (ARG)
Ruthy Hellen PINHAL DOS SANTOS (BRA)
Justina Renay DI STASIO (CAN)
Nataly Maria OVANDO ROJAS (CHI)
Tatiana RENTERIA RENTERIA (COL)
Milaimys de la Caridad MARIN POTRILLE (CUB)
Emelyn Anyelina BAUTISTA CORCINO (DOM)
Genesis Rosangela REASCO VALDEZ (ECU)
Luz Maria HERNANDEZ HERNANDEZ (MEX)
Diana Luisa Victoria CRUZ ARROYO (PER)
Dymond Precious GUILFORD (USA)
Maria Jose ACOSTA ACOSTA (VEN)

#WrestleAcapulco

Gilman adds Pan-Am title to growing resume

Monday, May 9, 2022 - 01:25 By Vinay Siwach

ACAPULCO, Mexico (May 8) -- Over the last year, Thomas GILMAN (USA) has managed to check a few things off his bucket list. He has won an Olympic medal and a world title.

On Sunday, he checked off another item by winning his first Pan-Am title, helping the USA clean sweep the team titles in Acapulco, Mexico.

The USA won eight of the 10 gold medals at the tournament to finish first with 229 points in the team race. They were way clear of second-placer Canada which had 138 points. Puerto Rico finished third with 120 points.

Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) and J'den COX (USA) had won the 79kg and 92kg gold medals on Saturday.

Sunday began with Gilman living up to the reputation of being the favorite to win the gold. He outscored his opponents 34-2 in three bouts. His two wins were via fall while the final was settled with the score of 11-0 against Darian CRUZ (CUB).

Now an experienced wrestler on the US team, the 27-year-old stuck to the basics and managed to capture the gold, four years after he finished with a bronze medal at the same tournament.

"I knew I was ready to go," Gilman said about his final. "I wanted to move my feet quickly and get on top. [In the final], I stayed where I am good."

Using his strong underhooks and collar tie, Gilman produced a takedown masterclass throughout the tournament. Even in the final, he had four takedowns and a gut-wrench as he sailed through for a first-period finish against Cruz.

Gilman's game plan on the day was similar to what he did in the final and later explained that it is his go-to for all bouts.

"That's pretty much the game plan every time regardless [who the opponent is]," he said. "Being aware of the tricks I can do from there. Just being patient in my positions and nothing changes with the opponent and make him wrestle where I am good."

His growth since the silver medal at the 2017 World Championships has also resulted in maturity on the mat. After winning the World title in Oslo last year, Gilman had said that he is learning to win and be consistent.

"I'm starting to learn how to win as a competitor," Gilman had said in Oslo. "I think I'm a pretty decent wrestler. But I don't know if I know how to really win on a consistent basis yet."

One of the areas of his game in which Gilman has been continuously working is having more room to score via gut wrenches after completing a takedown.

"It's been a focus of mine getting a takedown in the middle of the mat, get it on top and work on my turns," he said. "Our points are either pushouts or takedowns on the edge so trying to focus on getting the guy in the middle of the mat so there is more room to work on top."

"The Cuba match was a good example. A couple of sticky situations but I did not really hesitate," he said referring to his semifinal against Alexei ALVAREZ BLANCO (CUB). "I wrestled through, let my body take over. So there are improvements, room for growth."

That will be put to use when Gilman wrestles for the spot on the USA's world team. He will appear for Final X next month against a yet-to-be-known opponent and try to win a best-of-three series to claim the spot.

In Belgrade, he has a chance to win back-to-back titles and while the participation of an RWF wrestler is still unlikely, Gilman has kept a close look on his other opponents as well. One of them is Olympic silver medalist Ravi KUMAR (IND) who, Gilman says, has a similar style of wrestling.

"There are a couple of guys on my mind but I am getting ready for everybody," he said. "Ravi KUMAR (IND) is a brawler like me. I'd like to wrestle him. I have never wrestled him. It will be fun for the fans because we are not holding back. We are not the most technical or tactical so it will potentially be a fistfight and may the best man win."

Another world champion who had a successful outing Sunday was Kyle DAKE (USA) as he defended his 74kg Pan-Am title.

The three-time world champion quickly got to business in Acapulco by beating Diego SANDOVAL ZARCO (MEX), 12-1 in the quarterfinals before taking out Franklin MAREN CASTILLO (CUB), 10-0 in the semifinals.

In a surprise call, he was put on the activity clock in the final against Franklin GOMEZ (PUR) but it did not bother him much as he went on to score quick points and close out the final 10-1.

"Nice to get back on the mat and I am glad to be part of the process," Dake said.

Like Gilman, he will be trying to make the USA team next month. Dake seemed satisfied with his performance in Acapulco but said that he can work on his attacks.

"[I have to] just keep scoring points and be more creative with my attacks," he said. "Like put a couple together, move forward and go get them."

fix Daton FIX (USA), red, won his first Pan-Am title. (Photo: UWW / Osvaldo Aguilar)

Two World Championships silver medalists from Oslo were the gold medalist for the USA in Acapulco as Daton FIX (USA) picked up the 61kg title while Kyle SNYDER (USA) won the 97kg gold.

At 61kg, Fix wrestled in a Nordic-system bracket and destroyed all of his opponents in the process of claiming the gold medal. This was Fix's first Pan-Am Championships gold to go with his Games gold from 2019.

A big name in folkstyle domestically, the USA wrestler expressed his happiness to wrestle freestyle again.

"It's good to wrestle freestyle again as it's my favorite style," Fix said.

Snyder Kyle SNYDER (USA) defended his 97kg Pan-Am title. (Photo: UWW / Osvaldo Aguilar)

Snyder was equally dominant at 97kg and defeated Arturo SILOT TORRES (CUB), 12-1 in the final. He outscored his opponents 33-1 and was satisfied with how he wrestled at the tournament.

"I wrestled the way I have been practicing and compete up to that standard," he said. "I feel I did a really good job. I am happy about."

The two-time Olympic medalist was aware of the lack of competition at the Pan-Ams but he said it was more about his own wrestling than the opponents.

"I am looking to wrestle on a certain day, that's what I am focused on," he said. "It's not much about the competition at an event like this. I want to wrestle the way I have been training and how I know I can compete. I look forward to wrestling Cuba. At Worlds, obviously, it's RWF, Iran, Azerbaijan."

To reclaim the world title he last won in 2017 in Paris after beating Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RWF) in the final, he will have to win the spot on the USA team before flying to Belgrade. Snyder said that there isn't much to change for the trials in the USA.

"I just want to keep working on what I've been working on," he said. "Stay focused and recover. I think I am on a pretty good track."

The remaining two gold medals for the USA came at 65kg and 86kg. Joseph McKENNA (USA) won the 65kg gold while Zahid VALENCIA (USA) won the 86kg.

McKenna wrestled Sebastian RIVERA (PUR) in the final and comfortably beat him 10-0. He began with a big four before getting three rolls to finish the bout.

More than the final, McKenna fashed a tougher challenge from Tokyo Olympian Agustin DESTRIBATS (ARG) in the semifinals. McKenna was comfortably leading 4-1 when Destribats hit a four but McKenna in the same motion to get two points. He hit a four as well to lead 10-5 at the break.

But that was all Destribats had as McKenna added three more points in the second period to win 13-5.

Zahid VALENCIA (USA) calimed the gold medal at 86kg. (Photo: UWW / Osvaldo Aguilar)

Valencia did not get a technical superiority win in the 86kg final but did enough to beat Lazaro HERNANDEZ LUIS (CUB), 4-1. He scored two non-action points in the first period while a takedown in the second period made it four.

Canada wins 2 gold

USA would have had a perfect day if not for Amarveer DHESI (CAN) and Emmanuel OLAPADE (CAN) as they won Pan-Am titles for their country.

Dhesi Amarveer DHESI (CAN) pulled off a late exposure to win the 125kg gold. (Photo: UWW / Osvaldo Aguilar)

Dhesi, a former junior world champion, wrestled two-time World bronze medalist Nicholas GWIAZDOWSKI (USA) and came out on top 5-3 at 125kg. The result gave him his first Pan-Am title and the first for Canada in six years.

The two wrestlers exchanged activity points on either side of the break but Dhesi scored a takedown to lead 3-1. Gwiazdowski responded with his own with 46 seconds remaining to lead 3-3 on criteria.

But Dhesi rallied to get another two points via exposure with 11 seconds remaining on the clock to win the 125kg gold.

"I am pretty confident in that position," Dhesi said. "There was no way it was not two. But you never know. I wore him down, it worked in my favor. It was pretty nice."

The Pan-Am title is just the start of a busy calendar for Dhesi who will compete at the Canada Nationals in two weeks before heading to the Ranking Series event in Rome, Italy. He also plans to compete at the Commonwealth Games in August before heading to the Worlds.

In a weight class full of studs, Dhesi hopes he can make his mark soon.

"I wrestled Taha [AKGUL] at the Olympics, the first bout," he said. "I looked up to these athletes when I was young. I feel like I am in the middle of the pack somewhere. I feel that I want to break through and get to the higher pack. Hopefully get some medals at the World Championships."

"For that, I need to be confident myself and I always felt that I have the ability to wrestle well. Sometimes it doesn't show on the mat so I am trying to get better at producing that wrestling on the mat."

Emmanuel OLAPADE (CAN), blue, was crowned the Pan-Am champ at 70kg. (Photo: UWW / Osvaldo Aguilar)

At 70kg, Zain RETHERFORD (USA) was the favorite to win the gold but had to pull out moments before his first bout due to illness.

That gave others in the bracket to claim their first Pan-Am title and Olapade was not wasting it giving Canada the first gold of the tournament after two silver-medal finishes Saturday.

Wrestling a Nordic bracket, he defeated Vinicius DA SILVA JOAQUIM (BRA) via fall in Round 1. He was given a walkover for the bout against Rutherford to qualify for the semifinals.

Jhon CHUNGA CARRENO (PER) was all over the place as Olapade wasted no time in winning the semifinal 12-1 to set up a gold-medal bout against Da Silva Joaquim.

While he could not be as dominant as the Round 1 win, Olapade was still too much for the Brazil wrestler.

RESULTS

57kg
GOLD: Thomas GILMAN (USA) df. Darian CRUZ (PUR), 11-0

BRONZE: Alexei ALVAREZ BLANCO (CUB) df. Enrique HERRERA HUACRE (PER), 10-0
BRONZE: Oscar TIGREROS URBANO (COL) df. Darthe CAPELLAN (CAN), 4-3

61kg
GOLD: Daton FIX (USA)
SILVER: Joseph SILVA (PUR)
BRONZE: Pedro FLORES SALAZAR (MEX)

65kg
GOLD: Joseph MC KENNA (USA) df. Sebastian RIVERA (PUR), 10-0

BRONZE: Agustin DESTRIBATS (ARG) df. Andre QUISPE FAJARDO (CHI), 10-0
BRONZE: Albaro RUDECINDO CAMACHO (DOM) df. Jacob ALEXANDER TORRES (CAN), 10-0

70kg
GOLD: Emmanuel OLAPADE (CAN) df. Vinicius DA SILVA JOAQUIM (BRA), 4-1

BRONZE: Alexis OLVERA MAGALLANES (MEX) df. Jhon CHUNGA CARRENO (PER), 10-0

74kg
GOLD: Kyle DAKE (USA) df. Franklin GOMEZ (PUR), 10-1

BRONZE: Cesar BORDEAUX REGO ALVAN (BRA) df. Leon PERALTA LANAS (CHI), 10-0
BRONZE: Franklin MAREN CASTILLO (CUB) df Diego SANDOVAL ZARCO (MEX), 8-1

86kg
GOLD: Zahid VALENCIA (USA) df. Lazaro HERNANDEZ LUIS (CUB), 4-1

BRONZE: Carlos IZQUIERDO MENDEZ (COL) df. Christian ANGUIANO FLORES (MEX), 4-1
BRONZE: Ethan RAMOS (PUR) df. Jorge LLANO (ARG), 11-0

97kg
GOLD: Kyle SNYDER (USA) df. Arturo SILOT TORRES (CUB), 12-1

BRONZE: Maxwell LACEY GARITA (CRC) df. Esdras LOPEZ PEREZ (MEX), via fall
BRONZE: Luis PEREZ SOSA (DOM) df. Nishanpreet Singh RANDHAWA (CAN), 10-0

125kg
GOLD: Amarveer DHESI (CAN) df. Nicholas GWIAZDOWSKI (USA), 5-3

BRONZE: Catriel MURIEL (ARG) df. Gabriel DE SOUSA SILVA (BRA), via fall
BRONZE: Jose DIAZ ROBERTTI (VEN) df. Charles MERRILL (PUR), 2-1

Burroughs, Dake, Hildebrandt Headline Stacked Pan-American C'ship Entry List

Comments

Gilman adds Pan-Am title to growing resume