#panam2018

Cuba and USA Set to Clash in #PanAm2018 Men’s Freestyle Finals

Sunday, May 6, 2018 - 21:45 By Taylor Miller

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Lima (May 6) – Cuba and the USA will have four head-to-head matchups in Sunday night’s men’s freestyle finals at the 2018 Pan American Championships in Lima, Peru. Overall, the U.S. put seven in the finals, while Cuba advanced five.

Finals at 74 kg, 86 kg, 97 kg and 125 kg will pit the nations against each other.

At 74 kg, Nazar KULCHYTSKYY (USA) will challenge 2012 Olympic bronze medalist and three-time World medalist Livan LOPEZ AZCUY (CUB) for the title. Both wrestlers teched their ways to the finals.

2018 Ivan Yarygin Memorial champion David TAYLOR (USA) is set to do battle with two-time defending Pan Am champion Yurieski TORREBLANCA QUERALTA (CUB).

In the semifinals, Torreblanca edged out Pedro Francisco CEBALLOS FUENTES (VEN), who finished fifth at the 2016 Olympic Games. Torreblanca took a 3-1 decision to earn his spot in the final.

Three-time Senior World bronze medalist Reineris SALAS PEREZ (CUB) put himself in position to wrestle for gold with decisive wins over opponents from Dominican Republic, Canada and Puerto Rico.

Advancing through the other side at 97 kg was Kyven GADSON (USA), who edged out a win on criteria over Jose DIAZ ROBERTTI (VEN), 3-3, in the semis.

The 125 kg final features 2017 World bronze medalist Nick GWAIZDOWSKI (USA) against two-time Pan American silver medalist Yudenny ALPAJON ESTEVEZ (CUB).  Neither wrestler gave up a point in the first half of the day. Gwiazdowski outscored his opponents, 22-0, and Alpajon outscored his competition, 15-0.

There were two semifinals, 57 kg and 65 kg, where the USA and Cuba matched up. They split the bouts.

At 57 kg, U23 World champion Reineri ANDREU ORTEGA (CUB) advanced to the finals, after taking out 2017 Senior World silver medalist Thomas GILMAN (USA) in the semifinals with a 7-4 win.

In gold-medal match, Andreu will take on 2017 Junior Pan Am finalist Oscar Eduardo TIGREROS URBANO (COL).

2016 World champion Logan STIEBER (USA) emerged victorious from the 65 kg semifinal that pitted him against 2017 World bronze medalist Alejandro Enrique VALDES TOBIER (CUB). Stieber came back from a 7-0 deficit to lead Valdes, 10-9, with six seconds left when Valdes injury defaulted.

Stieber will take on Abel Gerald HERRERA PASTOR (PER), who teched his way to the finals, guaranteeing a medal for the host country.

Two others from the United States seek gold tonight, Joseph COLON (USA) at 61 kg and James GREEN (USA) at 70 kg. Both competed in six-man brackets that went through pool play before deciding semifinalists.

A 2017 World silver medalist and 2015 World bronze winner, Green is the only U.S. wrestler looking to defend his 2017 Pan Am title. He will face Hernan Dario GUZMAN IPUZ (COL), who he defeated earlier in the day with a 13-2 technical fall.

Colon will face Joshua BODNARCHUK (CAN), who he also defeated in the morning session, 11-1.

A slight change in the schedule sets tonight’s finals for 6 p.m. ET live on unitedworldwrestling.org.

MEN’S FREESTYLE MATCHUPS
57 kg
GOLD - Oscar Eduardo TIGREROS URBANO (COL) vs. Reineri ANDREU ORTEGA (CUB)
BRONZE - Pedro Jesus MEJIAS RODRIGUEZ (VEN) vs. Thomas Patrick GILMAN (USA)
BRONZE – Victor Manuel BARRON CARDENAS (MEX) vs. Juan Rubelin RAMIREZ BELTRE (DOM)

61 kg
GOLD - Joseph Daniel COLON (USA) vs. Joshua BODNARCHUK (CAN)
BRONZE - Juan Antonio RODRIGUEZ JOVEL (ESA) vs. Alexis OLVERA MAGALLANES (MEX)

65 kg
GOLD - Abel Gerald HERRERA PASTOR (PER) vs. Logan Jeffery STIEBER (USA)
BRONZE - Michael Stanley David ASSELSTINE (CAN) vs. Alejandro Enrique VALDES TOBIER (CUB)
BRONZE – Albaro RUDESINDO CAMACHO (DOM) vs. Freddy Leonardo VERA FAJARDO (ECU

70 kg
GOLD - James Malcolm GREEN (USA) vs. Hernan Dario GUZMAN IPUZ (COL)
BRONZE - Marcos PEREIRA DE OLIVEIRA JUNIOR (BRA) vs. Alexander CHAVES (CAN)

74 kg
GOLD - Nazar KULCHYTSKYY (USA) vs. Livan LOPEZ AZCUY (CUB)
BRONZE - Jevon BALFOUR (CAN) vs. Nestor Joaquin TAFUR BARRIOS (COL)
BRONZE – Jorge Ivan LLANO (ARG) vs. Carlos Eduardo ROMERO MILLAQUEO (CHI)

86 kg
GOLD - Yurieski TORREBLANCA QUERALTA (CUB) vs. David Morris TAYLOR III (USA)
BRONZE - Julio Rafael RODRIGUEZ ROMERO (DOM) vs. Pool Edinson AMBROCIO GREIFO (PER)
BRONZE – Carlos Arturo IZQUIERDO MENDEZ (COL) vs. Pedro Francisco CEBALLOS FUENTES (VEN)

97 kg
GOLD - Kyven Ross GADSON (USA) vs. Reineris SALAS PEREZ (CUB)
BRONZE - Charles Zachary MERRILL (PUR) vs. Jordan STEEN (CAN)
BRONZE – Miguel Javier SANCHEZ GERALDO (MEX) vs. Jose Daniel DIAZ ROBERTTI (VEN)

125 kg
GOLD - Yudenny ALPAJON ESTEVEZ (CUB) vs. Nicholas Edward GWIAZDOWSKI (USA)
BRONZE - Catriel Pehuen MURIEL (ARG) vs. Carlos Jose FELIX GARCIA (DOM)
BRONZE - Jose Noel ERAZO HENRIQUEZ (ESA) vs. Korey JARVIS (CAN)

 

#development

With Two Courses in 10 Days, India Dedicated to Developing Coaching Pool

Wednesday, April 15, 2026 - 09:46 By United World Wrestling Press

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NEW DELHI, India (April 7) -- The Wrestling Federation of India organized two courses in India last month. The first course was a Level 3 -- Introduction to Periodization and Coaching Philosophy and was held from March 21 to 25.

A second course was completed immediately after the first. This was a Level 2 -- Introduction to Practice Planning and was conducted from March 25 to 30. The courses were led by UWW Certified Educators Ahmed KHEDHRI (TUN).

“The participants engagement, along with the logistical and organizational support from the Indian Wrestling Federation, greatly contributed to the success of the courses," Khedhri said.

The Level 3 course was attended by 20 participants. During the five days, the participants covered a wide range of topics which included performance analysis, fundamentals of periodization, practice plan review and self-reflection.

The course also addressed coaching philosophy, self-awareness, leadership styles, and coach vision. These topics were covered through a variety of lectures, practical exercises, and interactive group discussion.

"The Level-3 coaching course was a great opportunity for learning and development. I appreciated the teaching style, depth of knowledge, and clear communication, all of which were motivating and inspiring," SB PRASAD, Greco-Roman coach, said.

The Level 2 course was attended by 41 participants. During the course, the coaches started with basic skill development and performance analysis basics and transitioned to the technicalities of designing and implementing practice plans.

The coaches learned the importance of designing sessions that are age and stage appropriate for their athletes. These interactive sessions included a mix of small group work and practical sessions.

“The Level-2 course was an incredible and enriching experience. I gained valuable knowledge that will greatly benefit my coaching career," Shilpi SHEORAN, Women's Wrestling Coach, said.  

IND
The 41 participants pose for a photo following the conclusion of the course. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

Comments from the participants:

“I found the Level-3 course highly valuable, highlighting the practical approach, detailed explanations, and continuous support throughout the program. These aspects enhanced my understanding and confidence as a coach.” – Vinod KUMAR, Head Coach, Freestyle National Team.

“The Level-2 course as extremely enriching and well-structured, with clear and engaging instruction. Thank you to UWW and WFI for organizing and facilitating this valuable program,” – Abhishek CHANDEL, Coach.