#WrestleAcapulco

Five talking points from Pan-Am Championships brackets

Thursday, May 5, 2022 - 10:52 By Vinay Siwach

Share this article

ACAPULCO, Mexico (May 5) -- As the Pan-Am Championships kick off in the picturesque town of Acapulco, there will be some major talking points from the tournament.

Cuba has returned to the tournament after a break and has entered in all three styles. Apart from that, a few stars from the age-group level would be waiting to make their mark at the senior level and this is a perfect chance to pocket a Pan-Am medal.

Here are the five biggest talking points of the Championships over the next four days. Check all 30 brackets here

Greco-Roman

Oscar PINO (CUB), 130kg

More than two years after he last competed, Pino is returning to the mat. The three-time World Championships medalist at 130kg has to make way for four-time Olympic champion Mijain LOPEZ (CUB) every four years.

It was a similar case when he won the silver medal at the 2019 Worlds but had to vacate the space for Lopez for the Tokyo Games. He last participated in the '20 Pan-Am Championships at 125kg in freestyle and finished with a bronze.

In Mexico, he is pitted against Tanner FARMER (USA) in the opening round match at 130kg and a win will take him to the showdown against Olympian fifth-placer Yasmani ACOSTA FERNANDEZ (CHI). He wrestles Thursday.

It will be a test for Pino but he would like to add to his three Pan-Am gold, the last of which came in 2018.

TafurNestor TAFUR (COL) will be wrestling Greco-Roman in Mexico. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Tony Rotundo)

Nestor TAFUR (COL), 82kg

Another wrestler who will be competing in his non-favorable style is Nestor TAFUR (COL). But the 30-year-old will be making his debut in Greco-Roman on Friday.

A long-time freestyle wrestler for Colombia, Tafur will be wrestling at 82kg Greco-Roman and has been clubbed with Brayden AMBO (CAN) and Tyler CUNNINGHAM (USA) in Group B of the weight class.

Tafur, who trains in New York, has represented Colombia at the World Championships and has three Pan-Am Championships medals at 74kg and 79kg in freestyle.

But it is yet to be seen how he will take on the challenge of switching styles and winning another medal and first in Greco-Roman.

Lucia YEPEZLucia YEPEZ (ECU) will be eyeing her first senior Pan-Am medal. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Women's wrestling

55kg - Karla GODINEZ GONZALEZ (CAN) vs Lucia YEPEZ (ECU)

Lucia YEPEZ (ECU) will enter the Pan-Am Championships as the U23 world champion and has her reputation at stake. She is clubbed in Group B at 55kg with Brenda FERNANDEZ (MEX) and Karla GODINEZ (CAN).

Bout number 102 of the competition could well decide her position in the tournament as she faces Godinez, who was fifth at the U23 World Championships three years ago.

Yepez, a Tokyo Olympian at 50kg, will be making her debut at the senior Pan-Ams and will have to punch above her weight to challenge the likes of Godinez and Fernandez. If she wins the group, she will have to go through former world champion Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) to win the gold.

Milaimys MARINMilaimys MARIN (CUB) is a junior and U23 world champion. (Photo: UWW / Sachiko HOTAKA)

76kg -- Tatiana RENTERIA (COL) vs Milaimys MARIN POTRILLE (CUB)

Another bout that will catch the attention of the fans is at 76kg. U23 World silver medalist Tatiana RENTERIA (COL) and former U23 and junior world champion Milaimys MARIN POTRILLE (CUB) are drawn together in the first round. In action on Saturday, the two are expected to put on a show.

Marin burst into the scene when she won the Youth Olympics in 2018 and followed that by winning the junior and U23 world titles a year later. She was not able to repeat that performance at the senior level in 2020 and 2021.

But still 20, Marin end the year with a junior Pan-Am Games title at 76kg, a run which had a win over junior world champion Kylie WELKER (USA).

Renteria is also looking for her first senior Pan-Am medal. She won the silver at the U23 Worlds last year at 76kg but is still adjusting to the jump in weight class from 68kg.

 

Freestyle

Nishanpreet SINGH RANDHAWA (CAN), 97kg

Canada's freestyle team isn't talked about much but Randhawa can spring a surprise in Pan-Am Championships. After missing the '21 championships, Randhawa is back with the hope of winning a medal in the '22 edition in Mexico.

Back in 2015, Randhawa had secured a bronze medal at the Junior World Championships going 3-1 at the tournament. His only loss came against Iran while he defeated wrestlers from South Africa, Tunisia and India.

He later won the junior Pan-Am title in 2016 and defended that a year later. He finished eighth at the U23 Worlds in 2019.

The British Columbia is now hoping to win his second senior Pan-Am medal, the first came in 2017 when he won the bronze medal in Brazil. He will begin his tournament against Miller MONDRAGON ARBOLEDA (COL) and a win will take him to the likely semifinal against Kyle SNYDER (USA). He will be in action on Sunday.

#WrestleBratislava

Olympic champ Novikov sets up Paris rematch with Losonczi

Friday, April 11, 2025 - 08:55 By Vinay Siwach

Share this article

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (April 11) -- Olympic champion Semen NOVIKOV (BUL) had to make three comebacks in three bouts to reach the European Championships final.

Novikov was up against Islam ABBASOV (AZE) in the semifinal and got the par terre advantage first. He scored a gut-wrench to lead 3-0. Abbasov got the chance in the second period and scored exposure with reverse lock. Novikov blocked Abbasov after the exposure and got the one point for reversal and keep the lead 4-3. A late stepout made it 5-3 for Novikov.

In a rematch of the Paris Olympic semifinal, Novikov will face world champion David LOSONCZI (HUN) who defeated defending champion Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) in the other semifinal. Losonczi hit a perfect suplex for four points to win 5-1 against Komarov.

Armenia and Turkiye were the most successful countries of the semifinals session as they had two finalists each. Armenia had Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) and Karen ASLANYAN (ARM) while Turkiye put Kerem KAMAL (TUR) and Hamza BAKIR (TUR).

Kamal, who won the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series, entered his fourth European Championships with an inspiring performance in which he defeated former champion Murad MAMMADOV (AZE), 5-4.

He will face Aslanyan for the gold medal after he made it to his first-ever final after he scored a takedown four-pointer and a turn to beat Andrii SEMENCHUK (UKR), 8-0.

Bakir made sure a Turkish wrestler was in the final of 130kg after he defeated Jello KRAHMER (GER) 3-2 in the semifinal. Bakir made a turn from par terre to lead 3-0. Krahmer hit a takedown in the final seconds of the bout but time ran out for any further action.

Bakir will take on defending champion Sergei SEMENOV (UWW) who pinned Dzmitry ZARUBSKI (UWW) in the other semifinal.

In an entertaining 77kg semifinal, Ramaz ZOIDZE (GEO) earned his first trip to the European Championships final after he defeated Per Albin OLOFSSON (SWE) 10-2.

Zoidze scored a takedown before hitting a headlock throw to get a fall. But Olofsson defended and reversed the positions to get two points. Zoidze escaped and had Olofsson in danger again for two points and the scramble ended with Zoidze leading 8-2. Sweden challenged the scoring and lost a point for the lost challenge.

A stepout finished the bout and Zoidze booked a face-off with four-time European champion Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) who defeated Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL), 5-1, in the other semifinal of 77kg. Amoyan got the first par terre advantage and he scored two turns to lead 5-1. Mnatsakanian never got off to a start despite getting two par terre.

In the 55kg final, four-time world and two-time European champion Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) will take on Emin SEFERSHAEV (UWW) for the gold medal.

Azizli defeated Manvel KHACHATRYAN (ARM) after scoring two exposures from front locks and defended his par terre position to win 5-1.

Sefershaev defeated defending champion Artiom DELEANU (MDA), 4-1, in the other semifinal.

RESULTS

55kg
GOLD: Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) vs. Emin SEFERSHAEV (UWW)

SF 1: Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) df. Manvel KHACHATRYAN (ARM), 5-1
SF 2: Emin SEFERSHAEV (UWW) df. Artiom DELEANU (MDA), 4-1

63kg
GOLD: Karen ASLANYAN (ARM) vs. Kerem KAMAL (TUR)

SF 1: Karen ASLANYAN (ARM) df. Andrii SEMENCHUK (UKR), 8-0
SF 2: Kerem KAMAL (TUR) df. Murad MAMMADOV (AZE), 5-4

77kg
GOLD: Ramaz ZOIDZE (GEO) vs. Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM)

SF 1: Ramaz ZOIDZE (GEO) df. Per Albin OLOFSSON (SWE), 10-2
SF 2: Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) df. Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL), 5-1

87kg
GOLD: Semen NOVIKOV (BUL) vs. David LOSONCZI (HUN)

SF 1: Semen NOVIKOV (BUL) df. Islam ABBASOV (AZE), 5-3
SF 2: David LOSONCZI (HUN) df. Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB), 5-1

130kg
GOLD: Sergei SEMENOV (UWW) vs. Hamza BAKIR (TUR)

SF 1: Sergei SEMENOV (UWW) df. Dzmitry ZARUBSKI (UWW), via fall
SF 2: Hamza BAKIR (TUR) df. Jello KRAHMER (GER), 3-2

Morning session qualification results and blog follows below

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 4 RESULTS

13:48: In the final match of the session, David LOSONCZI (HUN) makes sure he secures his place in the semifinals in 87kg. He defeated Hannes WAGNER (GER) 2-1 to enter the semifinal. Wagner got the first par terre advantage but Losonczi scored a stepout. However, according to the new rule, Wagner held the criteria advantage as the score was 1-1. But Losonczi gets the second par terre and wins 2-1

13:42: Defending 87kg champion Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) with a turn from par terre to lead 3-1 against Milad ALIRZAEV (UWW). He tries to defend the lead but Alirzaev scores a stepout to make it 3-2. Another stepout for Alirzaev with 45 seconds remaining to make it 3-3 but Komarov leads on criteria for the turn. Komarov defends the 3-3 lead and enters the semifinal. Alirzaev challenges for a finger grabbing foul but he loses the challenge and Komarov wins 4-3.

13:35: Olympic champion Semen NOVIKOV (BUL) with a second come-from-behind victory at 87kg. He fell behind 3-1 after European silver medalist Yaroslav FILCHAKOV (UKR) blocked him during the turn which Novikov challenged and lost. Novikov began the second period with a pushout to cut the lead to 3-2. He gets the second par terre as well to make it 3-3 but Filchakov who still leads on criteria. With time running out, Novikov is desperate and he tried a double-arm lock on which Filchakov tried to evade and stepped in the danger zone and Novikov scored a stepout to win 4-3. Filchakov challenges but no change in decision as Olympic champion Novikov wins 5-3.

13:22: If you watched Mat A and wonder why Jello KRAHMER (GER) won against Heiki NABI (EST) despite getting the first par terre advantage and not the second, it is because UWW is testing a new rule change that if the Greco-Roman bout ends 1-1, the wrestler with first point will win on criteria. That is only for 1-1 bouts.

13:00: Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL) with a big 6-1 win over Zoltan LEVAI (HUN) in the 77kg quarterfinals. Levai got the third passivity and as he tiring to headpinch Mnatsakanian, he failed to move his leg and got thrown for two points and then put his hand on Mnatsakanian's face to be docked two more points. Levai challenged the call but lost and Mnatsakanian won 6-1.

12:48: Kerem KAMAL (TUR) with four reverse lift throws after getting par terre to beat world U23 champion at 63kg Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA). He moves into the semifinals.

12:42: Milad ALIRZAEV (UWW) counters Achiko BOLKVADZE (GEO) when the Georgian scored a turn from par terre and then scored a stepout to lead 5-3. Bolkvadze challenges the call but he is docked a point for fleeing as well. He goes down 6-3 to Alirzaev at 87kg 

12:30: Islam ABBASOV (AZE) with two takedowns against Marcel STERKENBURG (NED) to post a 4-1 win and advance at 87kg. Azerbaijan is gunning for that team title in Greco-Roman after it won it in Freestyle.

12:28: Defending champion at 87kg Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) streamrolls Muhutdin SARICICEK (TUR) 9-0 and moves into the quarterfinals.

12:22: Olympic champion Semen NOVIKOV (BUL) got turned from par terre and fell 3-0 behind against Karen KHACHATRYAN (ARM) but he answers with six points in the second period and wins 6-3 at 87kg

12:15: Ahmet YILMAZ (TUR) hangs on for a 2-1 win over Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE) at 77kg. Big result for Yilmaz and Turkiye at the European Championships. 

12:10: Defending champion and Paris Olympic bronze medalist Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) stuns with two back-to-back four points throws to win 9-0 against Mateusz BERNATEK (POL) at 77kg.

12:05: Big match at 77kg as World silver medalist Zoltan LEVAI (HUN) takes on Sergei STEPANOV (UWW) who won the Zagreb Ranking Series in January. Levai with a counter four-pointer to start off the bout. Stepanov tried locking Levai but failed to lock his hands behind Levai who threw him on the mat for four. A stepout made it 5-0 at the break for Levai. There is no more scoring action or any par terre decisions and Levai beats Stepanov 5-0 to move into the quarterfinals.

11:45: Dzmitry ZARUBSKI (UWW) pins Apostolos TSIOVOLOS (GRE) at 130kg. While two-time Olympic medalist Sergei SEMENOV (UWW) is the favorite at 130kg, their are others who can upset him.

11:40: Beka KANDELAKI (AZE) pins European U23 champion Mykhailo VYSHNYVETSKYI (UKR) at 130kg. Kandelaki with two head throws which shocked Vysgnyvetskyi

11:35: Sergei SEMENOV (UWW), the defending champion at 130kg, with a 6-0 win over Darius VITEK (HUN) to begin his title defense. Semenov denied Riza KAYAALP (TUR) his historic 13th European title last year which would have put him ahead of Aleksandr KARELIN.

11:30: Kerem KAMAL (TUR) opens his European Championships with a 6-0 win over Tino OJALA (FIN) at 63kg. Kamal won the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series gold at 63kg and has new-found motivation.

11:20: Hannes WAGNER (GER) rolls to a 10-0 technical superiority win over Vladimeri KARCHAIDZE (GEO) in the opening round at 77kg. Karchaidze was hoping to build on his European U23 silver medal but falls at the first step

11:00: Mairbek SALIMOV (POL) with the first big move of the day with a flowing suplex over Dinislam BAMMATOV (UWW) for a 9-0 win at 63kg.

10:30: Greco-Roman will begin at the European Championships with five weight classes. The morning session will run with it and semifinals at 16:45. Women's Wrestling medal bouts will be at 18:00.