wrestleOaxtepec

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

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)

#JapanWrestling

I Want to Win Second Olympic Gold at LA 2028: Higuchi

By United World Wrestling Press

TOKYO (May 22) -- Paris Olympic champion at 57kg Rei HIGUCHI (JPN) returned to competition for the 2026 Meiji Cup All-Japan Invitational Championships in Tokyo. After reaching the 61kg final on Saturday, Higuchi defeated Toshihiro HASEGAWA (JPN), 3-0, in the gold medal bout.

Normally, the two should have wrestle off to earn a spot on the Japan team for the 2026 World Championships. However, Higuchi withdrew from the play-off to everyone's surprise. He later talked to the press. Excerpts:

UWW Plus

-- On withdrawing from World Championships wrestle-off against Hasegawa

Higuchi: In December, the qualifying process at 57kg starts for [the 2028] Los Angeles [Olympics]. There is the World Championships, but all I am thinking of is a second straight title in Los Angeles. Strategically speaking, I have six months from now to get my body ready and drop to 57kg, and I want to give that priority. That's how I came to this decision."

-- On his performance at the Meiji Cup

Higuchi: I tried various new takedowns, and I was able to apply pressure in the clinch as well. I think it went pretty well, more or less. There was one throw I felt I could have executed better, and there were a few other areas where I wanted to finish things off more decisively. I guess there’s a mix of things to reflect on and things that went well. It feels like a bit of a mixed bag. 

-- On his return after 21 months since 2024 Paris Olympics

Higuchi: It was definitely fun. It was my first match in a long time, so I was really excited and nervous, but I’m not the type to feel too much pressure. Even as an Olympic champion, how should I put it?, I’m sure there were people hoping for an upset, but whether I win or lose, the fact that I’m an Olympic gold medalist doesn’t change. So in that sense, I was able to let go of the pressure and really enjoy the wrestling.

-- On his physical health

Higuchi: In the first match, I definitely felt like my legs were really heavy. It had been a while since my last match, and it had been a while since I’d reduce weight too. There were moments where I wondered, “Is this really okay?” But by the second match, the semifinal, I was gradually finding my rhythm and moving well. I really feel it was great that I was able to compete once six months ago, rather than starting all of a sudden this December.

-- On any improvements for future

Higuchi: First of all, I need to build a body that’s properly suited for the 57kg weight class. It’s been a while since I’ve competed, so I didn’t perform as well as I’d hoped. I think if I refocus and tighten up my game, I’ll be able to deliver an even better performance. I really want to get back to training soon. It was so much fun. It’s been a while, but I feel like I can pull off all sorts of new moves and do so much more, so I’m eager to get back to training. 

-- On motivation for LA 2028

Higuchi: There’s only one person in the history of Japanese wrestling [Freestyle] who has won back-to-back Olympic gold medals. My goal is to become the strongest wrestler in the history of Japanese wrestling. In terms of records. There are many great predecessors, but I want to break their records. I want to become the kind of figure where people say, “Rei Higuchi was the strongest in Japanese wrestling history.”

I want to wrap things up by winning two consecutive gold medals in Los Angeles.