#BeachWrestling

Kerradel Beach Games wrap up in Palau

By United World Wrestling Press

NGARAAD STATE, Palau (April 5) --- On March 26, 2022, the Ngaraard State Government, in partnership with the Palau National Olympic Committee and the Australian Embassy in Palau, hosted its first Kerradel Beach Games at Kuabes Park. Each of the five counties of Ngaraard were well represented by a total number of 59 youth participants competing in the following sports: Archery, Beach Volleyball and Beach Wrestling. 

To commence the Games Governor Sharp Sakuma and Delegate Gibson Kanai each gave brief motivation messages to the youth and further challenged them to take advantage of the opportunity of the 1st Kerradel Beach Games. It is through these events our youth get to build better and stronger relationship amongst themselves, raise awareness to fight obesity in our youth population and encourage motivation and good competition in the sport community of our state. 

PalauA wrestler finishes a double leg takedown at Kuabes Park during the Kerradel Beach Games.

The Beach Wrestling competition includes youths in boys and girls categories from ages 9 and up take part in the Games. There were about nineteen (19) athletes that competed in their respective pools. Each athlete competed in a double elimination bracket on Saturday where medals were earned as each athlete competed for their county. The overall points were tallied for the winning trophy and Elab County claimed victory as it placed 1st, Ngkeklau came in 2nd and Choll came 3rd respectively, followed by Ngebuked County and Ulimang County. 

This event was made possible by the following sponsors and partners:
1. Office of the Governor
2. Ngaraard State Government
3. Palau National Olympic Committee
4. Pacific AUS Sports
5. Australian Embassy, Palau
6. Dilngebuked Inc., Ngaraard State
7. Legislator Leon Debengek 8. Hana Ingais.

Congratulations to all participants and their youth representatives!

Pan-American Championships Day 3 Highlights

By Eric Olanowski

CORALVILLE, United States (May 9) -- The third day of wrestling at the Pan-American Championships will welcome in freestyle, while also closing out the final four weights in women's wrestling. The freestyle weights that'll take the mat today are 61kg, 74kg and 86kg, with the final women's weight being 53kg, 59kg, 65kg and 76kg.

12:28: We're going to start 30 minutes earlier than expected. The updated start time is 12:30 (local time)

12:13: That does it for the quarterfinals. We're expected to start at 13:00 but I imagine that'll change. I'll quickly run to see what they plan on doing then post an update shorty.

12:07: Welker just nearly took the roof off this place, scoring three takedowns, two turns and a stepout against Renteria to move into the semifinals. She'll wrestle another Paris 2024 bronze medalist in Marin in the semifinals as the Cuban picked up a 12-2 win in her quarterfinals.

11:53: A lot going on right now. Yepez Guzman just picked up a dominant 11-0 win over Cristelle Noelle RODRIGUEZ DOBLER (USA) and moved into the semifinals at 53kg. Also, Welkeer and Renteria are wrestling now on Mat A. The American is up 5-0 with a stepout and two counter-offenseive go behinds.

11:29: Paris 2024 Olympian Ethan Adrian RAMOS (PUR) is up now on Mat A. He's wrestling Angel Eduardo CORTES BONILLA (PAN).

11:23:  Zahid VALENCIA (USA) just made quick work of Nestor Joaquin TAFUR BARRIOS (COL), picking up the 10-0 first-period tech fall. The reigning world champion awaits the winner of Pedro Samuel GONCALVES DA SILVA (BRA) and Jorge Ivan LLANO (ARG).

11:08: Miki ROWBOTTOM (CAN) was just down 4-4 on criteria against Alexis GOMEZ (MEX) but stole the match with a double leg with 2.2 seconds left. Since 65kg is a smaller bracket, that win will give the Canadian at least a silver medal.

11:06: Iowa's own Austin James DESANTO (USA) is coming up next on Mat A. He'll take on Irie Alexander JACKSON (JAM).

10:56: On a side note, we're following the 76kg weight class for a mini documentary so make sure you stayed tuned into UWW+ over the next few weeks to watch the behind the scenes doc on the premier weight class of these Continental Championships.

10:50: Nestor TAFUR BARRIOS (COL) just picked up a win over on Mat A, which means he'll take on reigning world champion Valencia in seven matches on Mat A.

10:45: It's funny how things work. The two women's wrestlers who attended the opening press conference were world bronze medalist Kylie Renee WELKER (USA) and Tatiana RENTERIA (COL). Those two will will wrestle in the first round, 13 matches away (bout 180) on Mat A.

10:25: Today's action will feature two reinging world champions in Zahid VALENCIA (USA) and Genesis REASCO (COL), and three Paris 2024 Olympic medalists in Lucia YEPEZ GUZMAN (ECU)Milaimy MARIN (CUB) and Tatiana RENTERIA RENTERIA (COL)