#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

Julfalakyan re-elected as UWW Athletes' Commission President

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (October 1) -- Arsen JULFALAKYAN has been re-elected President of the United World Wrestling Athletes’ Commission, securing a second term from 2025 to 2029.

The London Olympic silver medalist, who first took office in 2021, was the sole candidate for the position following the Athletes’ Commission elections held during the World Championships in Zagreb.

As President of the Commission, Julfalakyan will serve as the voice of wrestlers and represent their interests at the UWW Bureau and Congress. He will also represent athletes at the IOC Athletes’ Forum, WADA, and other international organizations.

"I am grateful to the entire wrestling community for trusting me with the privilege of representing them in the UWW Bureau and on the world stage," Julfalakyan said. "I’ll do my best to carry out this mission with dignity and ensure your voice is heard worldwide.

“Special thanks to UWW President Nenad Lalovic, Bureau members, and all national federations for their support. I would also like to take this opportunity to strongly encourage wrestlers to stay actively engaged with the UWW Athletes’ Commission.”

The elections for the Athletes' Commission were held during the World Championships in Zagreb from September 12 to 20 in which nine members, including four women, were elected. These nine members are:

Arsen JULFALAKYAN (ARG)
Yui SUSAKI (JPN)
Tamas LORINCZ (HUN)
Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ)
Hassan YAZDANI (IRI)
Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE)
Abdellatif MOHAMED (EGY)
Jessica LAVERS-McBAIN (AUS)
Nicolaas DE LANGE (RSA)

Following the election, UWW called for candidates for the presidency. As the sole applicant, Julfalakyan was elected unopposed and will continue as President of the Athletes’ Commission. UWW congratulates Julfalakyan on his re-election.

For any queries regarding the election or the functioning of the Athletes Commission, please contact UWW Secretariat.