#WrestleSofia

Iran wins two individual championships for the Greco-Roman team title at #WrestleSofia

By Taylor Miller

SOFIA, Bulgaria – The 2019 Cadet World Championships came to a close with the last five gold-medal matches in Greco-Roman on Sunday night in Sofia, Bulgaria.

Reza SAKI (IRI), a 2019 Cadet Asian silver medalist, defeated Stepan STARODUBTSEV (RUS), who was second at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games, for the crown at 71 kg.

Starodubtsev led, 1-0, at the break, but just moments into the second period, Saki scored on a four-point arm throw. He held onto the lead for the remainder of the bout, winning gold with a 4-1 victory.

For the title at 51 kg, Saeid ESMAEILI LEIVESI (IRI) used a first-period takedown to give him an eventual 2-1 win over Elmir ALIYEV (AZE). It was both wrestlers’ first World Championships.

At 92 kg, 2019 European silver medalist and 2018 European bronze medalist Lachin VALIYEV (AZE) outlasted 2017 Cadet World silver medalist Muhammed EVLOEV (RUS) for the title.

After a scoreless first period, Valiyev scored an early takedown. Evloev could only respond with a pair of step outs. Valiyev held on for the 2-2 win on criteria.

In the title match at 60 kg, 2019 Cadet European champion Maksim SKURATOV (RUS) faced two-time Cadet European medalist Elmir ALIYEV (AZE) in a rematch of the European Championships finals.

Last time they wrestled, Skuratov claimed an 11-0 victory. This time, Aliyev kept the bout more competitive; however, it was not enough. Skuratov won the Cadet World title with a 5-0 win.  

To open the night, 2019 Cadet Asian champion Samatbek IZIMGALI (KAZ) spent only 59 seconds on the mat to claim the gold medal at 45 kg, defeating Asadbek BAKHRAMAOV (UZB) by fall.

Securing two individual champions on Sunday, Iran won the team title with 148 points, followed by Azerbaijan with 123 points and Russia with 99 points.

Finals matchups
45 kg
GOLD - Samatbek IZIMGALI (KAZ) df. Asadbek BAKHRAMAOV (UZB), fall 1:00
BRONZE - Tamazi GLONTI (GEO) df. Vladyslav KURKURIN (UKR), 4-0
BRONZE - Farid SADIKHLI (AZE) df. Mahdi Kioumars AHADI ZENAB (IRI), 8-1

51 kg
GOLD - Saeid ESMAEILI LEIVESI (IRI) dec. Elmir ALIYEV (AZE), 2-1
BRONZE - Volodymyr VOITOVYCH (UKR) df. Denis MIHAI (ROU), 12-9
BRONZE - Edmond Armen NAZARYAN (BUL) df. Arshad ARSHAD (IND), fall 2:56

60 kg
GOLD - Maksim SKURATOV (RUS) df. Mert ILBARS (TUR), 5-0
BRONZE - Arman VARDANYAN (ARM) df. Zhanbolot TURATBEKOV (KGZ), 6-0
BRONZE - Nika BROLADZE (GEO) df. Seyed Danial Seyed Shamsollah SOHRABI (IRI), 8-6

71 kg
GOLD - Reza SAKI (IRI) df. Stepan STARODUBTSEV (RUS), 4-1
BRONZE - Furkan TAS (TUR) df. Aliaksei PIAKHOTA (BLR), 7-0
BRONZE - Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) df. Rauf Abdulla ALIYEV (AZE), 6-0

92 kg                           
GOLD - Lachin VALIYEV (AZE) dec. Muhammed EVLOEV (RUS), 2-2
BRONZE - Oktay DEMIR (TUR) df. Maik HAIMOV (ISR), 8-0
BRONZE - Richard KARELSON (EST) df. Laszlo Csaba VARSANYI (HUN), 3-0

Team results
1. Iran – 148
2. Azerbaijan – 123
3. Russia – 99
4. Kazakhstan – 73
5. Armenia – 73
6. Turkey – 70
7. India – 63
8. Georgia – 63
9. Ukraine – 62
10. Uzbekistan – 49

 

#WrestleBuenosAires

USA wins GR title; Elor secures Pan-Am gold on debut

By Taylor GREGORIO

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (May 5) -- USA and Cuba swept the nine Greco-Roman weights contested over two days as Greco action came to a close on Thursday, while three past World medalists emerged victorious in women’s weights.

On Friday, the USA won titles at 77kg and 82kg, while Cuba claimed the crown at 87kg.

Past U20 world champion Kamal BEY (USA) edged out Yosvanys PENA FLORES (CUB) in a 2-1 battle. The pair traded passivity points with Pena Flores getting on the board first. Halfway through the second frame, Pena Flores and his corner challenged a call in par terre that failed, resulting in a point and ultimately the win for Bey.

Spencer WOODS (USA) won a four-man round-robin at 82kg. Two of his three wins were tech falls and his third came in the form of an injury default.

Daniel GREGORICH HECHAVARRIA (CUB)Daniel GREGORICH HECHAVARRIA (CUB), red, won his third Pan-Am title. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Representing Cuba, Daniel GREGORICH HECHAVARRIA (CUB) earned his third-career Pan Am gold, winning at 87kg. The final was a win by injury default for Gregorio Hechavarria over Luis AVENDANO ROJAS (VEN). The Cuban also won titles in 2018 and 2022.

Women’s freestyle began with 55kg, 59kg, 65kg and 72kg. All four weights were round-robin contests. Of the four women’s freestyle winners, three own World Championships medals.

Amit ELOR (USA)World champion Amit ELOR (USA) won gold on Pan-Am debut. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan) 

Reigning senior, U23 and U20 world champion Amit ELOR (USA) made her Pan Am debut with four dominant wins without giving up a single point. She opened with a pin before rattling off three technical-fall wins. The longest match for Elor lasted 2:26.

Two-time World bronze medalist Mallory VELTE (USA) won her second Pan-Am Championships with back-to-back technical falls at 65kg, outscoring her opponents 22-2 on the day. Velte’s first title came in 2020.

Diana WEICKER (CAN)Diana WEICKER (CAN) defeated Alisha HOWK (USA) to win the 55kg gold. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Diana WEICKER (CAN), a 2018 World bronze medalist, won the 55kg class with a 5-0 win to start the day and a 12-2 technical fall to wrap up her tournament. This marks Weicker’s first Pan Am gold. She has a bronze from 2019.

The US women secured a third title on the night from international newcomer Xochitl MOTA PETTIS (USA), who topped the podium at 59kg. Mota Pettis’ most notable win came over U23 World champion Alexandria TOWN (CAN), 10-0.

Greco-Roman

77kg
GOLD: Kamal BEY (USA) df. Yosvanys PENA FLORES (CUB), 2-1

BRONZE: Jair CUERO MUNOZ (COL) df. Emmanuel BENITEZ CASTRO (MEX), 6-3
BRONZE: Wuilexis RIVAS (VEN) df. Luis CENTENO (PUR), win by injury default

82kg
GOLD: Spencer WOODS (USA)
SILVER: Jose MOSQUERA MURILLO (COL)
BRONZE: John YEATS (CAN)

87kg
GOLD: Daniel HECHAVARRIA (CUB) df. Luis ROJAS (VEN), win by injury default

BRONZE: Alan VERA (USA) df. Ronisson BRANDAO (BRA), 4-1
BRONZE: Carlos MUNOZ (COL) df. Ariel ALFONSO (HON), 9-0

Women’s freestyle

55kg
GOLD: Diana WEICKER (CAN)
SILVER: Alisha HOWK (USA)
BRONZE: Adrianny CASTILLO (ARG)

59kg
GOLD: Xochitl MOTA PETTIS (USA)
SILVER: Alexandria TOWN (CAN)
BRONZE: Jessica DERRELL (BAR)

65kg
GOLD: Mallory VELTE (USA)
SILVER: Paula MONTOYA GARCIA (COL)
BRONZE: Aleah NICKEL (CAN)

72kg
GOLD: Amit ELOR (USA)
SILVER: Luisa MOSQUERA PARRA (COL)
BRONZE: Katie MULKAY (CAN)