#WrestleAcapulco

Live Blog: Pan-American Championships (Day Two)

Friday, May 6, 2022 - 15:00 By Eric Olanowski

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ACAPULCO, Mexico (May 6) -- On Thursday we crowned seven Greco-Roman champions. Today, we'll hand out the final Greco golds at 77kg, 82kg and 87kg and the women's wrestling titles at 55kg, 59kg, 65kg and 72kg.

ICYMI: Day One Photos | Pino Hinds returns to Greco, wins fourth Pan-Am title

Day Two finals (as they come in)

Greco-Roman
72kg: Nordic-style bracket
77kg: Yosvanys PENA FLORES (CUB) vs. David Elias CHOC HUOC (GUA)
82kg: Reinier JIMENEZ TERRY (GUA) vs. Daniel VICENTE GOMEZ (MEX) 

Women's Wrestling
55kg:  Jacarra Gwenisha WINCHESTER (USA) vs. Karla Lorena GODINEZ GONZALEZ (CAN) 
59kg: Nordic-style bracket
65kg: Forrest Ann MOLINARI (USA) vs. Miki Elizabeth ROWBOTTOM (CAN) 
72kg: Nordic-style bracket

12:45: That does it for the morning session. Reminder: we'll start at 15:00 and not 17:00 as listed on the schedule.

12:40: In the battle of world champions, Winchester made quick work of Winchester, picking up the 11-0 first-period tech fall.

12:29: World champions Winchester and Yepez Guzman are coming up next on Mat B.

12:26: We're waiting for confirmation on a challenge, but it looks like Guatemala is going to put a second wrestler into the Greco-Roman finals. Reinier JIMENEZ TERRY (GUA) just took out Nestor Joaquin TAFUR BARRIOS (COL), 11-0.

12:20: Choc Huoc just punched his ticket to the 77kg finals with a 10-1 win over Joilson DE BRITO RAMOS JUNIOR (BRA). He'll wrestle Cuba's Tokoyo Olympian Pena Flores for gold.

12:02: Upset of the day: Karla Lorena GODINEZ GONZALEZ (CAN) upset U23 world champion Lucia Yamileth YEPEZ GUZMAN (ECU), 4-2, punching her ticket to the 55kg semifinals.

11:50: At every event, there are always one or two wrestlers who I've never seen wrestle that catch my eye. Yesterday, it was Mexico's Samuel GURRIA VIGUERAS (MEX). Today, it's Guatamal's David Elias CHOC HUOC (GUA). Thus far, he's  2-0 and has outscored his opponents 17-0.

He'll wrestle the winner of Luis Alfredo DE LEON (DOM) and Joilson DE BRITO RAMOS JUNIOR (BRA) in today's 72kg semifinals.

11:22: Tokyo Olympian Yosvanys PENA FLORES (CUB) leads Emmanuel Alexis BENITEZ CASTRO (MEX) by one point heading into the break over on Mat A.

11:09: Things are happening quick today. World bronze medalist Forrest Ann MOLINARI (USA) kicked off her day with a 10-0 win Saidy Lorena CHAVEZ FIGUEROA (HON) and is up 8-0 against Atzimba Morelia LANDAVERDE MORENO (MEX) over on Mat A.

10:42: Jessel Rojas kept her foot on the gas and scored 19 points to win the bout against Mota Pettis, 19-8. She'll wrestle Canada's Laurence BEAUREGARD (CAN) next.

10:36: Xochitl Citalli MOTA PETTIS (USA) and Ameyalli Sayil JESSEL ROJAS (MEX) are lighting things up on Mat B. They've put up 16 points in the opening period and there is still 28 seconds left.

10:30: U23 world champion Lucia Yamileth YEPEZ GUZMAN (ECU), who is wrestling up a weight class at 55kg, started her day off with a 6-1 win over Brenda Esmeralda Isay FERNANDEZ SALAZAR (MEX). She'll take on Karla Lorena GODINEZ GONZALEZ (CAN) in the second round of the 55kg Nordic style bracket.

10:20: We apologize for the delay. The on-site ambulance was behind 15 minutes and we couldn't start until it arrived/ But it's here and were wrestling!

10:08: Wolrd champion Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) kicks off the second day of action over on Mat B. She'll take on Nadia TRUJILLANO (PER).

10:00: Important update for Friday's night session. Wrestling will begin at 15:00 instead of 17:00.

#development

2024 Southeast Asian Championship & Oceania Invitational (REDT): A New Era of Regional Collaboration in Wrestling

Thursday, October 10, 2024 - 13:48 By United World Wrestling Press

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CHIANGMAI, Thailand (9 October, 2024) - The 2024 Southeast Asian Championship & Oceania Invitational was a Regional Educational Development tournament (REDT), held from September 25-29 in Chiang Mai, Thailand, marked a historic moment for the sport of wrestling in the region. This event was the first in over nine years to include Oceania teams, a significant milestone that highlighted the potential for collaboration and growth between Southeast Asia and Oceania.

A total of 13 countries participated, with Southeast Asia represented by Cambodia, Indonesia, Laos, Malaysia, the Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, and Vietnam, and Oceania by American Samoa, Australia, New Zealand, Samoa, and Tonga. Over the five days, 284 athletes competed across three wrestling styles—Freestyle, Greco-Roman, and Women’s Wrestling—within the U15, U17, and senior age groups.

The feedback from participating teams was overwhelmingly positive. For both Southeast Asia and Oceania, the championship provided a valuable opportunity for athletes to gain crucial international exposure while competing against teams of a similar skill level. This event acted as a development springboard, allowing the athletes to refine their skills and measure their progress in a competitive yet supportive environment.

The enthusiasm from Oceania teams was particularly notable, with several expressing their strong desire to be invited back in future editions. Many teams have already committed to increasing their participation in the next event, and there is significant interest from additional Oceania nations should this tournament become a regular fixture on the calendar.

SEAWrestlers jocky for position at the 2024 Southeast Asian Championship & Oceania Invitational was a Regional Educational Development tournament (REDT). (Photo: United World Wrestling)

As we look to the future, the success of the Southeast Asian Championship & Oceania Invitational underscores the importance of fostering regional cooperation. The event has laid the foundation for further development in both regions and holds immense potential to become a cornerstone for wrestling in Southeast Asia and Oceania.

The 2024 edition was not just a competition but a powerful demonstration of unity, skill, and the collective ambition to elevate wrestling in these developing regions. The positive outcomes have set the stage for ongoing collaboration, and the prospect of even greater participation in future years is a testament to the event's success.

We look forward to welcoming even more nations and athletes as we continue to grow the sport of wrestling in Southeast Asia and Oceania.