Competition Wraps Up at Cadet and Junior Pan American Championships in Mexico

Monday, June 14, 2021 - 00:42 By Taylor Miller

Photo of Arturo SILOT TORRES (CUB). Photo by Sachiko Hotaka.

OAXTEPEC, Mexico – The last 12 weight classes were contested today as the Cadet and Junior Pan American Championships concluded on Sunday in Oaxtepec, Mexico.

In the Junior freestyle division, USA won five of the six titles with gold medals from Edward SCOTT (USA) at 70 kg, Jacob LOGAN (USA) at 79 kg, Darrien ROBERTS (USA) at 86 kg, Tyler HANNAH (USA) at 92 kg and Joshua HEINDELSMEN (USA) at 125 kg.

Winning the other title in Junior freestyle was Arturo SILOT TORRES (CUB), who defeated Santos CANTU (USA) in the finals with a 10-0 technical superiority.

The USA won the Junior men’s freestyle title with 230 points, followed by Mexico with 129 points and Canada with 123 points.

In Cadet Greco-Roman, the USA swept the gold medals, winning the final six titles of the tournament on Sunday. Winning titles were Brock BOBZIEN (USA) at 60 kg, Pierson MANVILLE (USA) at 65 kg, Thor MICHAELSON (USA) at 71 kg, Ryder ROGOTZKE (USA) at 80 kg, Peter CASALE (USA) at 92 kg and James MULLEN (USA) at 110 kg.

Their performance resulted in a Cadet Greco team title for USA with 250 points. Coming in second was Mexico with 152 points and Brazil rounded out the top-three with 87 points.

Photo of Darrien ROBERTS (USA). Photo by Osvaldo Aguilar.

En español
OAXTEPEC, Mexico - Las últimas 12 categorías de peso se disputaron hoy en el último día de los Campeonatos Panamericanos Cadetes y Juveniles en Oaxtepec, México.

En la división de estilo libre juvenil, USA ganó cinco de los seis títulos con medallas de oro de Edward SCOTT (USA) en 70 kg, Jacob LOGAN (USA) en 79 kg, Darrien ROBERTS (USA) en 86 kg, Tyler HANNAH (USA) en 92 kg y Joshua HEINDELSMEN (USA) en 125 kg.

El otro campeón en estilo libre juvenil fue Arturo SILOT TORRES (CUB), que venció en la final al Santos CANTU (USA) con una superioridad técnica de 10-0.

USA aseguró el título del equipo con 230 puntos. México ganó plata con 129 puntos y Canadá ganó bronce con 123 puntos.

En grecorromano cadete, USA ganó todas las medallas de oro, asegurando los seis títulos finales el domingo. Ganando oro fueron Brock BOBZIEN (USA) en 60 kg, Pierson MANVILLE (USA) en 65 kg, Thor MICHAELSON (USA) en 71 kg, Ryder ROGOTZKE (USA) en 80 kg, Peter CASALE (USA) en 92 kg and James MULLEN (USA) en 110 kg.

USA ganó el título del equipo con 250 puntos. México fue segundo con 152 puntos y Brasil termino en tercer lugar con 87 puntos.

JUNIOR MEN’S FREESTYLE RESULTS
70 kg
GOLD - Edward SCOTT (USA)
SILVER - Lautaro SEGHESSO (ARG)
BRONZE - Amaan GULACHA (CAN)

79 kg
GOLD - Jacob LOGAN (USA)
SILVER - Carson LEE (CAN)
BRONZE - Kevin DE LEON TREVINO (MEX)

86 kg
GOLD - Darrien ROBERTS (USA)
SILVER - Liosbel HERNANDEZ BUSTAMANTE (CUB)
BRONZE - Juan ITURRIZA RUIZ (MEX)
BRONZE - Lucas IMBERNON DA SILVA (BRA)

92 kg
GOLD - Tyler HANNAH (USA)
SILVER - Karanpreet GILL (CAN)
BRONZE - Adrian ZAPATA JACOBO (MEX)

97 kg
GOLD - Arturo SILOT TORRES (CUB)
SILVER - Santos CANTU (USA)
BRONZE - Josue CAMPOS ARIZPE (MEX)

125 kg
GOLD - Joshua HEINDELSMAN (USA)
SILVER - Gabriel de SOUSA SILVA (BRA)
BRONZE - Luis OROZCO CORTEZ (MEX)
BRONZE - Yoan ROBERT RAMIREZ (CUB)

CADET GRECO-ROMAN RESULTS
60 kg
GOLD - Brock BOBZIEN (USA)
SILVER - Edwin ALLAIN MIRANDA (PER)
BRONZE - Joao DA SILVA NETO (BRA)

65 kg
GOLD - Pierson MANVILLE (USA)
SILVER - Marco FERNANDEZ CUBAS (PER)
BRONZE - Oliver PLASCENCIA ESTRADA (MEX)

71 kg
GOLD - Thor MICHAELSON (USA)
SILVER - Isaac TENORIO MOSQUERA (ECU)
BRONZE - Hector LOERA ROJAS (MEX)

80 kg
GOLD - Ryder ROGOTZKE (USA)
SILVER - Enrique OLVERA RODRIGUEZ (MEX)

92 kg
GOLD - Peter CASALE (USA)
SILVER - Mateus FREIRE SANTOS (BRA)
BRONZE - Ivan CORONADO GARCIA (MEX)

110 kg
GOLD - James MULLEN (USA)
SILVER - Alan PEREZ URIBE (MEX)

#IranWrestling

Inspired by Olympic Gold, Esmaeili's Cousins Win U17 Asian Titles

Friday, June 12, 2026 - 12:33 By Vinay Siwach

DA NANG, Vietnam (June 11) -- When 20-year-old Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI) returned to Iran after winning Olympic gold in Greco-Roman 67kg at the Paris Games, he came home with more than just a medal around his neck. He returned with proof that wrestling could change lives.

Raised in poverty in Dezful, Khuzestan Province, Esmaeili's improbable run to Olympic gold transformed him overnight into a national sensation. He was showered with gifts, cash awards and job offers.

The ripples of that triumph are still being felt. Last month, two of Esmaeili's own cousins, Ali ESMAEILI (IRI) and Vahid ASHIRI (IRI), won gold medals at the U17 Asian Championships in Da Nang after taking up wrestling only two years ago, inspired by his Olympic success and the hero's welcome he received back home.

Paris Olympic champion Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI), left, with his cousin Ali who won 48kg gold medal at the U17 Asian Championships.

Ali, whose father is Esmaeili's uncle, competed in Greco-Roman 48kg and won three bouts to capture the gold medal. He outscored his opponents 22-2 including two technical superiority wins.

Another cousin from his mother's side, Ashiri, competed in the Greco-Roman 55kg weight class and was crowned champion after four victories. He defeated wrestlers from India, Jordan, China and Kyrgyzstan with scores of 6-1, 5-2, 11-1, and 3-1 to capture the Asian title.

While they were winning gold medals in Vietnam, Olympic champion Esmaeili was watching from Iran.

"I watched their Asian finals and I always follow their training," Esmaeili told United World Wrestling. "We are from the same club and both are talented."

Ali ESMAEILI (IRI) became the U17 Asian champion at 48kg in Greco-Roman. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

The two took up wrestling at the age of 14 and quickly rose through the province before making it to the Iran team for the U17 Asian Championships. Ali Esmaeili feels that Saeid's presence motivates him to work harder to achieve medals in wrestling.

"I got into wrestling after watching Saeid's Olympic final. In 2 years, with his help, I managed to become the Asian champion. Every time I see Saeid, I feel really good and I am proud of him."

Though Esmaeili trains at the national camp in Tehran, he does not miss a chance to train the youngsters when he returns home and practices in Dezful.

"I tried to answer every question they asked me about wrestling carefully and I also taught them some of my techniques," he said.

Vahid ASHIRI (IRI) claimed the 55kg gold medal. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Ashiri also stepped foot in the club after watching Esmaeili's thrilling Paris campaign. Two years later, he is proud to represent both the Esmaeili family and the club.

"After Saeid won the gold medal, I went to the club where he trains and whenever I had any questions, he explained them to me carefully," Ashiri said. "I am truly proud to be a member of the club and a family with such a personality."

The next stop for both Ali and Ashiri will be the U17 World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan from July 28 to August 2.

"Just like the Asian Championships, I want to repeat the success at the World Championships," Ali said.

RESULTS

48kg
Final: Ali ESMAEILI (IRI) df. Javokhir SHARIFBOEV (UZB), 4-2
Semifinal: Ali ESMAEILI (IRI) df. Umarali BERDALIEV (KGZ), 9-0
Quarterfinal: Ali ESMAEILI (IRI) df. Liaotan LAN (CHN), 9-0

55kg
Final: Vahid ASHIRI (IRI) df. Syimyk ASKAROV (KGZ), 3-1
Semifinal: Vahid ASHIRI (IRI) df. Zihao ZHANG (CHN), 11-1
Quarterfinal: Vahid ASHIRI (IRI) df. Adam ABU FARE (JOR), 5-2
Qualification: Vahid ASHIRI (IRI) df. HARION (IND), 6-1

Competition Wraps Up at Cadet and Junior Pan American Championships in Mexico

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Inspired by Olympic Gold, Esmaeili's Cousins Win U17 Asian Titles