#WrestleAcapulco

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

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)

USAOlympic 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)

#JapanWrestling

Another Ono rises: Konami follows brother's footsteps

By Ikuo Higuchi

TOKYO (August 27) -- When you think of the name Ono from Shimane Prefecture, many will recall Masanosuke ONO (JPN), a world champion who is quickly becoming a global star, who now primarily competes in the United States.

Ono's younger sister Konami, who was undefeated in the national tournament during her elementary school years, is just like her brother. She went on to attend Nippon Sport Science University Ohka High School in Tokyo, where she grew up steadily, winning the Inter-High School Championships in 2023 and also winning silver at the U17 World Championships the same year.

A shoulder injury caused her to slow down, but through repeated practice at Nippon Sport Science University she regained her former strength and won the East Japan Student Championships and the All Japan Amateur Championships [women's competition is open to university students as well] last week.

Konami ONO (JPN)Konami ONO (JPN), left, won a silver medal at the 2023 U17 World Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Being coached by 2004 Athens Olympic bronze medalist Chikara TANABE and Kaori ICHO, she described herself as being in "the best environment."

Ono had been suffering from pain in the right shoulder and had to undergo a surgery in June last year. She had initially aimed for a comeback last year at the All Japan Championships [Emperor's Cup] in December, but was forced to withdraw. She returned to competition in April of this year at the Junior Queen's Cup U20, where she won one match, but lost the next match to a junior from high school by technical superiority.

"There were times when my shoulder would dislocate just by walking. It was a frustrating year," said Ono with her voice becoming teary, as if the pain had returned. "I'm happy because I was injured and couldn't wrestle for a while," she said but added, "I realized I need to practice more and get stronger."

Inspiration from brother Ono

While she was off the mat, Konami watched her brother Masanosuke win the gold medal at the U20 World Championships in 2024 and later become the world champion at 61kg at the Non-Olympic World Championships.

"It's not something I could ever imitate," she says, and although he is someone she should "admire" rather than "target," he is also someone close to her, having competed alongside since childhood. "I want to study hard and catch up," she says.

Konami ONO (JPN)Konami ONO (JPN) with world and Olympic champion Jordan BURROUGHS (USA). (Photo courtesy: Masaharu Ono) 

Earlier in spring, Konami accompanied her older brother to the United States, where he trains at Pennsylvania State University. She was still recovering and was unable to train, but she watched her brother's win against 2024 Paris Olympic silver medalist Spencer LEE (USA).

"I thought American wrestling was really amazing. It was inspiring," she said.

What made the biggest impression on Konami was how much fun her brother seemed to be having wrestling, even though he was in a foreign country.

"He really enjoys wrestling," she said. "I was amazed that there are people who love wrestling that much [laughs].

"My brother is my role model," she said. "I often watch his techniques and aspire to be like him."

What she finds particularly impressive is his speed, and the way he unconsciously develops his techniques. She herself sometimes has trouble deciding what to do next during a match, but her brother's body moves without a second thought. "I need to be able to come out with techniques one after the other," she said.

Training with Fujinami, Onishi

While Ono found his path in the United States, Konami is thinking of firmly establishing herself in Japan.

"I think that if I stay at Nippon Sport Science University, I will become really strong," she says, believing that his current environment is the place where she can develop the skills to compete on the world stage.

Not only is there an impressive coaching staff, but there are also world-class athletes such as 2024 Olympic champion Akari FUJINAMI (JPN) and Asian champion Sakura ONISHI (JPN) in the 57kg and 59kg weight class, respectively. Fujinami won gold at the Olympics in 53kg.

"I practice with Akari every day. She's really strong..." she said, admiringly, and when she's not sparring, she's always following Fujinami's movements to study them.

Since they are both in the 57kg weight class, could she challenge Fujinami as early as the All Japan Championships in December? To that question, she gave no clear answer, saying, "I'm not at the level where I can fight yet..." and said that she might move up a weight class as her body grows, so it's still up in the air, but perhaps the day is approaching when the middleweight trio, including Onishi, will take to the world stage.

Rather than setting big goals, her current goal is to "compete in many matches and enjoy wrestling." She says that she is actually enjoying it, so perhaps she is getting closer to her brother's level. Her next concrete goal is the All Japan Women's Open Championships in October.

She vowed to make a leap forward, saying, "I want to train both my body and mind and become even stronger. I want to become a star from Shimane Prefecture!"