#Lima2019

Cuba and USA impress in Pan Am Games finals on Friday

By Taylor Miller

LIMA, Peru – USA won three gold medals, while Cuba dominated to a Pan Am Games title on Friday night in Lima, Peru.

The United States picked up two titles in women’s freestyle and one in men’s freestyle.

At 62 kg, Kayla MIRACLE (USA) defeated two-time Olympic bronze medalist for the title with a dominant technical fall. Miracle led 7-0 at the break before finishing up the match with a takedown and later a crotch lift for an eventual 12-0 win.

Winning gold at 68 kg was 2018 World bronze medalist Tamyra MENSAH-STOCK (USA), who picked up a win by pin in 2:17 in the finals over 2017 Pan American champion Olivia DI BACCO (CAN). The fall came shortly after Mensah-Stock scored on a single leg.

2017 Junior World champion Daton FIX (USA) won gold in men’s freestyle at 57 kg, rolling to a quick 11-0 win in about 90 seconds over 2011 Pan Am Games champion Juan RAMÍREZ BELTRE (DOM).

Earlier in the day, Fix recorded a 4-1 win over 2017 U23 World champion Reineri ANDREU ORTEGA (CUB).

Claiming a gold for Cuba on Friday was two-time Senior World bronze medalist Alejandro VALDÉS TOBIER (CUB), who won the 65 kg bracket in men’s freestyle.

Valdes screamed past Albaro RUDESINDO CAMACHO (DOM) with a first-period 10-0 technical fall. It marks Valdes' fourth Pan Am level gold medal. 

In addition to Valdes’ gold, Cuba won three other bronze medals, coming at 68 kg and 76 kg in women’s freestyle and 57 kg in men’s freestyle.

There was one other gold medal match on Friday night.

Representing Canada, Justina DI STASIO (CAN), a 2018 World champion at 72 kg, won the women’s freestyle 76 kg title on Friday night, outlasting 2014 World silver medalist Lais NUNES DE OLIVEIRA (BRA), 2-1. Di Stasio held criteria, 1-1, at the end of the match but received another point when Brazil challenged a call but failed.

The tournament wraps up on Saturday with the remaining men’s freestyle weights – 74 kg, 86 kg, 97 kg and 125 kg.

2019 PAN AMERICAN GAMES

Women’s freestyle results
62 kg
GOLD - Kayla MIRACLE (USA) df. Jackeline RENTERIA CASTILLO (COL), 12-0
BRONZE - Lais NUNES DE OLIVEIRA (BRA) df. Nathali GRIMAN HERRERA (VEN), 4-1
BRONZE - Abnelis YAMBO MIRANDA (PUR) df. Mayra ANTES CASTILLO (ECU), fall 2:54

68 kg
GOLD - Tamyra MENSAH (USA) df. Olivia DI BACCO (CAN), fall 2:17
BRONZE -Ambar GARNICA FLORES (MEX) df. Yanet SOVERO NIÑO (PER), 8-5
BRONZE -Yudari SÁNCHEZ RODRÍGUEZ (CUB) df. Maria ACOSTA ACOSTA (VEN), 5-3

76 kg
GOLD - Justina DI STASIO (CAN) df. Aline DA SILVA FERREIRA (BRA), 2-1
BRONZE - Mabelkis CAPOTE PÉREZ (CUB) df. Diana CRUZ ARROYO (PER), 10-0
BRONZE - Andrea OLAYA GUTIERREZ (COL) df. Andrimar LAZARO DIAZ (VEN), 4-0

Men’s freestyle results
57 kg
GOLD -Daton FIX (USA) df. Juan RAMÍREZ BELTRE (DOM), 11-0
BRONZE - Reineri ANDREU ORTEGA (CUB) df. Daniel ALVES DO NASCIMENTO (BRA), 10-0
BRONZE -Darthe CAPELLAN (CAN) df. Oscar TIGREROS URBANO (COL), 8-7

65 kg
GOLD - Alejandro VALDÉS TOBIER (CUB) df. Albaro RUDESINDO CAMACHO (DOM), 10-0
BRONZE -Jaydin EIERMAN (USA) df. Agustin DESTRIBATS (ARG), 15-4
BRONZE - Mauricio SANCHEZ SALTO (ECU) df. Brandon DÍAZ RAMÍREZ (MEX), 3-0

#UnitedWorldWrestling

UWW President Lalovic Meets Azerbaijan President Aliyev in Baku

By United World Wrestling Press

BAKU, Azerbaijan (July 29) -- United World Wrestling President Nenad LALOVIC met President of Azerbaijan Ilham ALIYEV on Wednesday. Baku is hosting the U17 World Championships from July 27 to August 2.

Lalovic and Aliyev discussed the success of wrestling and Lalovic emphasized that the U17 World Championship was organized at a high level. He also expressed his gratitude to Aliyev for his support and for the activities of UWW.

Azerbaijan has been one of the most successful wrestling countries and it continues to develop and hosts various events. Lalovic mentioned that UWW has had successful cooperation with the Azerbaijan Wrestling Federation for organizing wrestling events.

Wrestling Nenad LALOVICNenad LALOVIC, left, with Azerbaijan President Ilham ALIYEV.

Aliyev mentioned the importance of the U17 World Championship held in Baku for the future success of young wrestlers, and noted the importance of organizing such sporting events in our country in the future.

Azerbaijan is hosting the U17 Worlds after 14 years and the 2026 edition has already created history with 675 participants, the most ever. 

During the meeting, both noted that wrestling has rich traditions in Azerbaijan, and touched upon the work being done at the state level for its development.

An exchange of views was held on issues of cooperation between Azerbaijan and UWW.

The participants of the tournament praised the arrangements in Baku and gave positive reviews of the same.

Armenia's head coach Gagik KHACHATRYAN told the team that his team's experience in Baku had been positive.

"I've been a coach for many years, and nowhere have we been welcomed the way we have here," he said. "My impression of Baku is very positive. The organisation is at a very high level. Everything is well coordinated - the competitions, the logistics, the overall workflow," he said.

 

He also praised the spectators for their sportsmanship and positive attitude.

"Everyone treated us very warmly. Nobody showed any negative attitude," he said. "The fans supported fair competition and clean sport."