World Championships

Japan, U.S. Derail Russian Rout in Cadet World Championships Freestyle

Sunday, August 30, 2015 - 21:49 By William May

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SARAJEVO (August 30) – Japan and the United States came up with three stunning wins to derail Russia’s plans for a rout on the final day freestyle events at the Cadet Wrestling World Championships.

Gable STEVESON (USA), Jarod VERKLEREEN (USA) and Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) scored the only wins against Russian opponents at Sports Hall Amel Beckovic on Sunday, and all three led to gold medals for the victors.

The U.S., meanwhile, rallied Sunday with titles from Steveson (100kg) and Verklereen (63kg) and a bronze medal from Daton FIX (54kg) for 55 points and third place.

 

The U.S., meanwhile, rallied Sunday with titles from Steveson (100kg) and Verklereen (63kg) and a bronze medal from Daton FIX (54kg) for 55 points and third place.

With the Russian juggernaut rampaging through the morning session, Steveson ambushed them with a 10-5 win over Soslan KHINCHAGOV (RUS) in the semifinals at 100kg to cap the morning session.

Steveson went on to forge a 9-0 victory over Khasanboy RAKHIMOV (UZB) in the championship finale, assigning his opponent to a silver medal along with twin brother, Khusanboy RAKHIMOV (UZB). Khusanboy won the silver medal at 85kg on Saturday night.

Sunday evening’s medal matches began with Aleksey KOPYLOV (RUS) rolling up a gold medal with three gut wrenches for a 10-0 technical fall over European bronze medal winner Georgios PILIDIS (GRE) in the 46kg final.

Former world bronze medalist Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) created some drama in the 54kg final when he raced out to an apparent, 13-2, technical fall win over Abasgadzhi MAGOMEDOV (RUS). A challenge from the Russian corner, however, adjusted the score to 9-2 as the wrestlers headed into the second period.

“My coaches told me not to worry about it and keep scoring points when I had the chance,” Otoguro said after cobbling together a 13-6 win over an increasingly agitated opponent. “The cheering of my teammates and the people in the arena really raised my spirits.”

Otoguro explained that “A year ago, I tried to protect a lead by being defensive.  So this year I knew I needed to continue scoring points.”

Verklereen followed suit in the 63kg final, securing a cross-ankle lock and converting it to an 11-0 win at 2:51 over Khayrullah NURADINOV (RUS).

Aslanbek GVARAMIA (RUS) secured a second win for Russia, wrapping up his victory over European bronze medalist Ivan STEFANOV (BUL) at 76kg with a takedown to gut wrench for a 10-0 technical fall.

Freestyle

46kg (26 entries)
Gold – Aleksei KOPYLOV (RUS) df. Georgios PILIDIS (GRE) by TF, 10-0, 1:21 
Bronze – Monu MONU (IND) df. Dzmitry YARMOLCHYK (BLR) by TF, 11-0, 3:02 
Bronze – Amir PARASTEH (IRI) df. Dylan DEMILIO (USA) by TF, 15-4, 2:54

54kg (25 entries)
Gold – Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) df. Abasgadzhi MAGOMEDOV (RUS), 13-6
Bronze – Gevorg ABRAMIAN (UKR) by Hamed SIAYHDOOLAN (IRI) by Fall, 2:38
Bronze – Daton FIX (USA) df. Abbas RAKHMONOV (UZB) by TF, 17-2, 3:34

63kg (24 entries)
Gold – Jarod VERKLEREEN (USA) df. Khayrulla NURADINOV (RUS) by TF, 11-0, 2:51 
Bronze – Ahmed MEDHIZADEHMARZAN (IRI) df. Vasili DIACONU (MDA), 11-6 
Bronze – Orkhan ABBASOV (AZE) df. Rui SAKASAI (JPN), 6-2

76kg (26 entries)
Gold – Aslanbek GVARAMIA (RUS) df. Ivan STEFANOV (BUL) by TF, 10-0, 2:25 
Bronze – Arkadzi PAHASIAN (BLR) df. Gabriele DORO (ITA) by TF, 10-0, 1:44
Bronze – Ahliman GULIYEV (AZE) df. Hamed MANAFIAN (IRI) by TF, 10-0, 2:20

100kg (21 entries)
Gold – Gable STEVESON (USA) df. Khasanboy RAKHIMOV (UZB), 9-0
Bronze – Yakup YERLIKAYA (TUR) df. Hussain NASIR (IND) by TF, 12-2, 3:07
Bronze – Soslan KHINCHAGOV (RUS) df. Zuriko URTASHVILI (GEO), 10-2

#WestleAcapulco

Pan-American Championships Preview

Tuesday, February 20, 2024 - 12:21 By Gaurav Bhatt

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ACAPULCO, Mexico (February 20) --- The sun-soaked city of Acapulco, Mexico, gears up to host the Pan-American Wrestling Championships from February 21st to 24th, drawing the region's elite grapplers across Freestyle, Greco-Roman, and Women's Wrestling. 

The tournament precedes the Pan-American Olympic Qualifiers, which can have only those countries participating in the Pam-American Championships.

Let's delve deeper into each style and highlight some of the most anticipated clashes. 

Freestyle Wrestling

All eyes will be on world champions Kyle DAKE (74 kg) and Kyle SNYDER (97 kg), who will take the mat on Friday and Saturday. 

Dake can expect to run into four-time World medallist Geandry GARZON (CUB). Dake won the last contest between the two during his run for the repechage bronze at the Tokyo Olympics. The 74kg field also features two-time medallists Hernan GUZMAN (COL) and Cesar ALVAN (BRA).

In the 97kg category, Snyder can run into familiar foe Arturo TORRES (CUB). The 2016 Olympic champion Snyder is looking for his sixth gold at the Pan American Championships. Torres, meanwhile, will look to avenge his three defeats in the finals against Snyder — including in the gold-medal clash last year in Buenos Aires. 

The 74kg category will feature five-time medallist at the event Pedro MEJIAS (VEN), Pan-Am Games bronze medallist Osmany MARTINEZ (CUB), and Spencer LEE (USA) who makes his international debut as a three-time age group world champion.

Cuban Alejandro VALDES TOBIER will bring his experience to the mat in the 65kg category. The reigning Pan-Am Games champion and two-time world medallist — who lost last year’s final to John Michael DIAKOMIHALIS (USA) — will take on contenders such as three-time bronze medallist Agustín DESTRIBATS (ARG) and US senior world team member Nicholas LEE (USA). 

Elsewhere, Yurieski TORREBLANCA (CUB) will look to double up on his 86kg gold from last year.

CUBDefending champion Oscar PINO (CUB) is set to compete in Acapulco, with his sights set on winning a sixth Pan-Am title. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

Greco Roman

Oscar PINO (CUB) will be out to defend his Greco-Roman 130kg title in Acapulco. The 30-year-old is hunting for his sixth gold medal at the event to add to his four World medals. Cohlton Schultz (USA), who finished runner-up at the PanAm Games last November, would aim to halt the Cuban juggernaut.

Also on the quest for back-to-back golds are Americans Spencer WOODS and Kamal BEY, and Daniel HECHAVARRIA (CUB). 

Bey can expect to fight his 77kg nemesis, Yosvanys PENA FLORES  (CUB). In 2019, the Cuban defeated Bey in the Pan-Am Championships final before Bey edged Pena Flores for the 77kg crown in Buenos Aires last year. At the Pan-Am Games in November, Bey settled the score with a win over Pena Flores en route to the continental gold.

Woods, who took home the 82kg gold last year, has moved up a division to set up a potential clash with reigning 87kg gold medallist Hechavarria.

usaOlympic champion Helen MAROULIS (USA) headlines the women's wrestling entries. She'll wrestle at 57kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

Women’s wrestling

The women’s competition will be highlighted by world medallists from the U.S.: Helen MAROULIS (57 kg), Kayla MIRACLE (62 kg), Macey KILTY (65 kg), and Adeline GRAY (76 kg).

Six-time world champion Gray returns to the Pan American Championships looking to add to her collection of three gold medals at the event.

Maroulis, three-time world and 2016 Olympic champion, can run into some resistance from last year’s bronze medallist Angela Alvarez (CUB).

Kilty’s 65 kg opponents will include 2022 silver medallist Miki ROWBOTTOM(CAN), while Miracle can run into Maria SANTANA (CUB), who finished runner-up at the Pan Am Games. 

World medallist Diana WEICKER (CAN) will return to defend her 55kg title. 

Catch all the action from the Pan-American Championships live on UWW+.