#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)

#WrestleSamokov

Yakushenko, Zakriev one win away from second U20 World gold

By Vinay Siwach

SAMOKOV, Bulgaria (August 22) -- Defending champion Yehor YAKUSHENKO (UKR) returned to the final at 97kg as he once again managed to beat silver medalist Darius KIEFER (GER).

Unlike finals last year, both met in the semifinals this year but the result was no different as Yakusheno was clearly the better wrestler on Friday. After getting the first par terre position, Yakushenko turned Kiefer for two points and then lifted the German for a correct throw for two points for a 5-1 lead.

Kiefer got par terre in the second period and tried to get the turn but managed only a point for stepout from Yakushenko, making the score 5-2. That was all the action in the match as Yakushenko let out a loud cry after victory and so did Kiefer after his loss.

Yakushenko now leads the head-to-head 3-1 with the one loss coming in the European U20 Championships final this year in Carole, Italy.

He will face a new challenge in Hadi SEYDI AVENDI (IRI) in the final after the Iranian managed to over come Ilia KOMAROV (UWW) in the second semifinal, which was also a match decided from par terre.

Seydi Avendi led 5-0 at the break and was put in par terre in the second period and Komarov needed two turns for a 5-5 criteria lead. However, he managed to turn Seydi Avendi only once for two points to cut the lead to 5-3.

Iran had a second finalist in 55kg as 2023 world U17 champion Payam AHMADI (IRI) scored a 3-0 victory over Arsen ZHUMA (KAZ) in the semifinals. He will face another 2023 world U17 champion in Turan DASHDAMIROV (AZE) who defeated Daisuke MORISHITA (JPN), 10-2.

Dashdamirov had a difficult opening bout against Ulaanbaatar Open Ranking Series gold medalist Anil MOR (IND) but managed to hold on to a 9-9 criteria win.

At 72kg, Asian U20 champion Ahmad KODIROV (UZB) and European U20 silver medalist Gaspar TERTERYAN (ARM) reached the final after impressive wins.

Kodirov face Oliver PADA (FIN) in the semifinal but managed to hold on to an 11-3 technical superiority win as Pada failed to finish his attempted bodylock throws.

Terteryan faced former world U17 champion at 71kg Arionas KOLITSOPOULOS (GRE) but shut him down with defense to win 5-1.

Zakriev chases second title

Returning world 63kg champion Erzu ZAKRIEV (UWW) moved up to 67kg for this year's World U20 Championships but followed a similar path to the finals. Zakriev had a troublesome semifinal last year and there was difference this year as he almost got pinned in the semifinals again.

Facing European U20 bronze medalist Fariam MUSTAFAYEV (AZE), Zakriev tried to do a suplex but landed on his back with Mustafayev on top. The Azerbaijan wrestler was awarded two points and he almost sat on Zakriev for the fall but the time ran out in the first period.

He then managed to return with takedown despite Mustafayev's pressure who scored two stepouts. But as Mustafayev tried a big throw, Zakriev landed on top and got four points and won 14-7.

For his second straight gold medal, Zakriev will face Zhantoro MIRZALIEV (KGZ), the Asian U20 champion, who had a controlled 5-1 win over Fayozbek ESHMIRZAEV (UZB).

RESULTS

55kg
GOLD: Payam AHMADI BALOOTAKI (IRI) vs. Turan DASHDAMIROV (AZE)

SF 1: Payam AHMADI BALOOTAKI (IRI) df. Arsen ZHUMA (KAZ), 3-0
SF 2: Turan DASHDAMIROV (AZE) df. Daisuke MORISHITA (JPN), 10-2

67kg
GOLD: Zhantoro MIRZALIEV (KGZ) vs. Erzu ZAKRIEV (UWW)

SF 1: Zhantoro MIRZALIEV (KGZ) df. Fayozbek ESHMIRZAEV (UZB), 5-1
SF 2: Erzu ZAKRIEV (UWW) df. Faraim MUSTAFAYEV (AZE), 14-7

72kg
GOLD: Ahmad KODIROV (UZB) vs. Gaspar TERTERYAN (ARM)

SF 1: Ahmad KODIROV (UZB) df. Oliver PADA (FIN), 11-3
SF 2: Gaspar TERTERYAN (ARM) df. Arionas KOLITSOPOULOS (GRE), 5-1

97kg
GOLD: Yehor YAKUSHENKO (UKR) vs. Hadi SEYDI AVENDI (IRI)

SF 1: Yehor YAKUSHENKO (UKR) df. Darius KIEFER (GER), 5-2
SF 2: Hadi SEYDI AVENDI (IRI) df. Ilia KOMAROV (UWW), 5-3