#WrestleBuenosAires

Cuba battling for fourth and fifth Greco-Roman gold medals at #WrestleBuenosAires

By Taylor Miller

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – Cuba put two in tonight’s Greco-Roman finals, including Yosvanys PENA FLORES and Antonio DURAN ROBLES. The country is going for its fourth and fifth gold medals in Greco this week.

Pena Flores will face 2017 Junior World champion Kamal BEY (USA) in the 77 kg bracket, and Duran Robles will take on two-time Pan Am bronze medalist Luis AVENDANO ROJAS.

In position for gold at 82 kg is Cheney HAIGHT (USA) and Carlos ESPINOZA CASTRO (PER). Both won their first-round matches in round robin and will battle for the title tonight.

The first four weights of women’s freestyle was also contested, and USA has already won two gold medals, putting up winning-records in round-robin action.

At 55 kg, Alex HEDRICK began her tournament with a fall and followed it up with a decision, and wrestling at 65 kg, Julia SALATA registered two technical falls for the crown.

The gold medal at 59 kg will be decided between Karoline SILVA DE SANTANA (BRA) and Laurence BEAUREGARD (CAN), who are each 2-0 going into tonight.

A similar situation at 72 kg, the title will come down to Rachel WATTERS (USA) and Dejah SLATER (CAN) in a three-man brackets.

Action will begin at 5 p.m. local time (4 p.m. EST) live on unitedworldwrestling.org.

Finals pairings

Greco-Roman

77 kg
GOLD - Yosvanys PENA FLORES (CUB) vs. Kamal BEY (USA)
BRONZE - Juan ESCOBAR (MEX) vs. David CHOC HUOC (GUA)
BRONZE - Jair CUERO MUNOZ (COL) vs. Johan BATISTA (DOM)

82 kg – round three matches
Cheney HAIGHT (USA) vs. Carlos ESPINOZA CASTRO (PER)

87 kg
GOLD - Luis AVENDANO ROJAS (VEN) vs. Antonio DURAN ROBLES (CUB)
BRONZE - Carlos ADAMES PALMER (DOM) vs. Alfonso LEYVA YEPEZ (MEX)
BRONZE - Phillip BARREIRO (CAN) vs. Patrick MARTINEZ (USA)

Women’s freestyle

55 kg – round three matches
Elis AZERRAD PARODI (ARG) vs. Jayd DAVIS (CAN)

59 kg – round three matches
Karoline SILVA DE SANTANA (BRA) vs. Laurence BEAUREGARD (CAN)
Andribeth RIVERA BELLIARD (PUR) vs. Kelsey CAMPBELL (USA)

65 kg – round three matches
Jessica BROUILLETTE (CAN) vs. Grabriela PEDRO DA ROCHA (BRA)

72 kg – round three matches
Rachel WATTERS (USA) vs. Dejah SLATER (CAN)

#WrestleParis

Techniques, safety, focus: UWW referees ready for Paris 2024

By United World Wrestling Press

ATHENS, Greece (August 1) -- United World Wrestling referees for Paris 2024 completed a three-day seminar from June 21 to 23, hosted by the Greek Wrestling Federation in Athens. The seminar was held to prepare for the Olympics, where referees will be ITOs.

The program consisted of self and group analysis of previous performance, theoretical study, mental preparedness, medical and safety training as well as on-the-mat training with Women's Wrestling, Freestyle, and Greco-Roman wrestlers and coaching experts.

Led by the President of the UWW Athletes Commission, Arsen JULFALAKYAN, as well as coaches Alfred TER-MKRTCHYAN, Patrick NUDING and Amiran KARDANOV and wrestlers Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) and Christos KOUTSOURIDIS (GRE), referees analyzed common wrestling techniques and tactics in all styles and the proper philosophy and mechanisms referees should utilize when evaluating these situations.

Referee seminar

During these sessions, Julfalakyan also emphasized concerns and questions he receives from wrestlers and how we can improve the communication between athletes and referees when discussing the application of the rules.

Mental strength training sessions were led by Holger KNOLL, a trained mental strength coach specializing in athlete training. His sessions focused on how referees can improve their concentration and focus before, during and after competitions.

Babak SHADGAN, President of the UWW Medical Commission, provided medical and safety training, with focus on the role a referee plays in injury prevention.

In addition to the referee's instruction, Tristan MORAD, UWW Sports Department Coordinator, provided a presentation on the logistics and schedule of the wrestling of Paris 2024.

United World Wrestling and the UWW Referee Commission graciously thank the Greek Wrestling Federation and its President, Stergios LEONKIS, and UWW Bureau Vice President, Theodore HAMAKOS and numerous volunteers for their organization and hospitality in hosting the seminar.