Toronto, Pan Am Games

Lopez Leads Trio of Cubans into Finals at Pan Am Games

By William May

TORONTO, Canada (July 15) – World and Olympic Games champion Mijain LOPEZ (CUB) rolled up a pair of technical falls to advance to the 130kg gold medal final in Greco-Roman on Thursday, the second day of the Pan American Games wrestling competition.

Lopez, seeking his fourth gold medal at the Pan American Games, made short work of Moises PEREZ (VEN) and Pan American championships winner Robby SMITH (USA) to join Yasmany LUGO (CUB) and Yakelin ESTORNELL (CUB) into Thursday evening’s gold medal matches.

 

In the Greco-Roman finale, Lopez will meet two-time South American champion Andres AYUB (CHI) whose late gut wrench in the semifinals made him the first wrestling gold medal finalist from Chile in the history of the Games.

On Wednesday evening, teammate Cristobal TORRES became the first wrestling medalist at the Games from Chile when he won a bronze medal in Greco-Roman at 59kg.

Meanwhile, Lugo rolled up a pair of technical falls to advance to the 98kg gold medal final on his first trip to the Games.  The four-time Pan American championships winner will meet another Pan American junor champion Kevin MEJIA (HON).

Unlike with the Cuban men who rolled into the finals, Yakelin ESTORNELL (CUB) forged two wins of criteria, defeating 2014 Pan Am champ Lissette ANTES (ECU), 5-5, and 2012 champ Sandra ROA (COL), 4-4,for her place in the women’s 58kg final.

Estornell, the 2013 Pan Am champion, will meet Joice SILVA (BRA), winner of the 2015 continental crown in April.

With action in women’s wrestling getting under way at Mississauga Sports Center, Genevieve MORRISON (CAN) advanced to the 48kg final to the delight of the hometown fans. Morrison will meet with 2013 champion Thalia MALLQUI (PER) for the gold medal.

Whitney CONDER (USA), a runner-up in the 2012 Pan Am championships, will hope to go one better in the 53kg final against Alma VALENCIA (MEX), who has blitzed into the final with an 11-0 drubbing of 2014 Pan Am champ Luisa VALVERDE (ECU.

Greco-Roman - 98kg (8 entries)
GOLD: Yasmany LUGO (CUB) df. Kevin MEJIA (HON) by Fall 
BRONZE: Luillys PEREZ (VEN) df. Jose ROCHA (MEX), 4-0 
BRONZE: Davi ALBINO (BRA) df. Oscar LOANGO (COL), 5-1 

Semifinals: Kevin MEJIA (HON) df. Luillys PEREZ (VEN), 8-2
Semifinals: Yasmany LUGO (CUB) df. Davi ALBINO (BRA) by TF, 8-0 

1/4 Finals: Kevin MEJIA (HON) df. Jose ROCHA (MEX), 6-0 
1/4 Finals: Luillys PEREZ (VEN) df. Caylor WILLIAMS (USA), 11-4
1/4 Finals: Yasmany LUGO (CUB) df. Oscar LOANGO (COL) by TF, 9-0
1/4 Finals: Davi ALBINO (BRA) df. Jeremy LATOUR (CAN) by TF, 10-1


Greco-Roman - 130kg (8 entries)
GOLD: Mijain LOPEZ (CUB) df. Andres AYUB (CHI) by TF, 8-0 
BRONZE: Josue ENCARNACION (DOM) df. Charles THOMS (CAN), 2-0 
BRONZE: Robby SMITH (USA) df. Moises PEREZ (VEN) by Default

Semifinals: Andres AYUB (CHI) df. Josue ENCARNACION (DOM), 3-3 
Semifinals: Mijain LOPEZ (CUB) df. Robby SMITH (USA) by TF, 8-0

1/4 Finals: Josue ENCARNACION (DOM) df. Luciano DEL RIO (ARG), 6-5 
1/4 Finals: Andres AYUB (CHI) df. Charles THOMS (CAN) by TF, 10-2 
1/4 Finals: Robby SMITH (USA) df. Edgardo LOPEZ (PUR) by Fall 
1/4 Finals: Mijain LOPEZ (CUB) df. Moises PEREZ (VEN) by TF, 9-0


Women’s Wrestling - 48kg (8 entries)
GOLD: Genevieve MORRISON (CAN) df. Thalia MALLQUI (PER), 5-4
BRONZE: Alyssa LAMPE (USA) df. Yusnelis GUZMAN (CUB) by TF, 12-2
BRONZE: Carolina CASTILLO (COL) df. Angelica BUSTOS (ECU), 1-1

Semifinals: Genevieve MORRISON (CAN) df. Yusnelis GUZMAN (CUB), 6-0 
Semifinals: Thalia MALLQUI (PER) df. Carolina CASTILLO (COL), 4-3 

1/4 Finals: Yusnelis GUZMAN (CUB) df. Kamila BARBOSA (BRA) by TF, 15-4
1/4 Finals: Genevieve MORRISON (CAN) df. Alyssa LAMPE (USA), 12-8
1/4 Finals: Thalia MALLQUI (PER) df. Angelica BUSTOS (ECU), 3-0
1/4 Finals: Carolina CASTILLO (COL) df. Sehilyn OLIVEIROS (VEN) by TF, 10-0

Women’s Wrestling - 53kg (7 entries)
GOLD: Whitney CONDER (USA) df. Alma VALENCIA (MEX), 3-2
BRONZE: Yamilka DEL VALLE (CUB) – uncontested
BRONZE: Betzabeth ARGUELLO (VEN) df. Luisa VALVERDE (ECU) by Fall

Semifinals: Whitney CONDER (USA) df. Yamilka DEL VALLE (CUB) by Fall
Semifinals: Alma VALENCIA (MEX) df. Luisa VALVERDE (ECU) by TF, 11-0

Qualifications: Yamilka DEL VALLE (CUB) df. Brianne BARNEY (CAN), 10-1 
Qualifications: Luisa VALVERDE (ECU) df. Giulia RODRIGUES (BRA), 5-4
Qualifications: Alma VALENCIA (MEX) df. Betzabeth ARGUELLO (VEN) by TF, 12-1

Women’s Wrestling - 58kg (8 entries)
GOLD: Joice SILVA (BRA) df. Yakelin ESTORNELL (CUB), 6-5
BRONZE: Lissette ANTES (ECU) df. Sandra ROA (COL) by TF, 12-1
BRONZE: Yanet SOVERO (PER) df. Alejandra ROMERO (MEX), 6-6 

Semifinals: Yakelin ESTORNELL (CUB) df. Sandra ROA (COL), 4-4
Semifinals: Joice SILVA (BRA) df. Yanet SOVERO (PER), 5-3

1/4 Finals: Yakelin ESTORNELL (CUB) df. Lissette ANTES (ECU), 5-5
1/4 Finals: Sandra ROA (COL) df. Michelle FAZZARI (CAN), 8-5 
1/4 Finals: Yanet SOVERO (PER) df. Betzabeth SARCOS (VEN), 3-2
1/4 Finals: Joice SILVA (BRA) df. Alejandra ROMERO (MEX), 2-1

#WrestleZagreb

Zagreb Open: Ciobanu beats Nazaryan, Hedayati top Pino

By United World Wrestling Press

ZAGREB, Croatia (January 14) -- The final day of the Zagreb Open will see six Greco-Roman weight classes with a top match at 60kg between Victor CIOBANU (MDA) and Edmond NAZARYAN (BUL) expected.

Catch all the action from the Zagreb Open free on UWW+. Use the promo code ZAGREB100

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER

The finals for the evening session

55kg: Maksim STUPAKEVICH (AIN) vs. Adem UZUN (TUR)
60kg: Sadyk LALAEV (AIN) vs. Victor CIOBANU (MDA)
72kg: Levente LEVAI (HUN) vs. Ulvi GANIZADE (AZE)
82kg: Alperen BERBER (TUR) vs Erik SZILVASSY (HUN)
97kg: Arvi SAVOLAINEN (FIN) vs. Abubakar KHASLAKHANAU (AIN)
130kg: Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI) vs. Lingzhe MENG (CHN)

14:50: Arvi SAVOLAINEN (FIN) with a 6-0 shutout over Alex SZOKE (HUN) in the 97kg semifinal. Savolainen showing up in the Olympic year. He will face U20 world champion and world fifth placer Abubakar KHASLAKHANAU (AIN) in the final. Khaslakhanau defeated Murad AHMADIYEV (AZE) 4-1 in a very heated match.

14:40: Victor CIOBANU (MDA) and Edmond NAZARYAN (BUL) in the 60kg semifinal. Ciobani gets the par terre advantage and despite a few jumps, he doesn't score. Nazaryan gets the par terre in the second period but also fails to score. He got a bodylock and almost got the suplex but Ciobanu put his hands on the mat and then brought Nazaryan down. It was scored two for Nazaryan but a challenge from Moldova. No points to either wrestler as neither was in control. Nazaryan with a 1-1 criteria lead. Ciobanu pushes Nazaryan towards the zone to score but Nazaryan gets out of the hold and brings Ciobanu in exposure. However, the scramble continues and Ciobanu gets two as well. It was initially scored only two Ciobanu but Bulgaria challenged the call. It's two for Nazaryan and two for Ciobanu with the Moldovan getting the criteria 3-3. Nazaryan can't break the criteria and will win 3-3.

14:20: Alperen BERBER (TUR) and Deni NAKAEV (GER) in the 82kg semifinal. Berber gets the first advantage and he comes up with a body throw for four to lead 5-0 at the break. Nakaev gets the chance from par terre in the second period. No score and Berber will walk into the final with a 5-1 win.

14:10: Abubakar KHASLAKHANAU (AIN) continues his dominant run and is into the 97kg semifinal with an 8-0 win over Aleksandar STJEPANETIC (SWE). Pavel HLINCHUK (AIN) is finding it difficult on Mat A as Arvi SAVOLAINEN (FIN) scores a takedown to lead 3-0 and then two stepouts as Hlinchuk struggles to match the pace. Savolainen gets two points and Hlinchuk receives caution. Savolainen moves into the semifinals with a 7-0 win.

14:00: Edmond NAZARYAN (BUL) sets up a semifinal against Victor CIOBANU (MDA) at 60kg after a 9-0 win over Pridon ABULADZE (GEO). Nazaryan with a takedown and a suplex for four. A takedown to finish the bout.

13:40: Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI) with a statement win over Oscar PINO (CUB) at 130kg. Pino went in with a tapped thump and was in discomfort when he tried to turn Hedayati from par terre. Hedayati scored a stepout and a takedown just before the break to lead 3-2. He got the par terre advantage in the second period and Pino was cautioned for blocking, making it 6-2 for Hedayati. Cuba challenged the decision but lost which gave another point to Hedayati. Pino got a final chance when Hedayati was called passive. Pino gave it all to turn Hedayati but failed to finish it. A reversal made it 8-2 for Hedayati, the final score.

13:20: U20 world champion Alperen BERBER (TUR) cuts Mahmoud SEBIE's (USA) run with a 4-2 win at 82kg. Berber into the semifinals and he will face Deni NAKAEV (GER) who defeated Vasile COJOC (ROU) 10-5

13:15: Victor CIOBANU (MDA) books his spot in the 60kg semifinal with a 9-1 win over Ildar HAFIZOV (USA). He will get the winner of Edmond NAZARYAN (BUL) and Pridon ABULADZE (GEO)

13:05: Two Individual Neutral Athletes on course to face each other. U23 world champion Pavel HLINCHUK (AIN) gets two par terre advantages in the bout and wins 2-0 against Beytullah KAYISDAG (TUR). On Mat B, Abubakar KHASLAKHANAU (AIN) toys with Nikoloz KAKHELASHVILI (ITA) from par terre and wins 8-1.

12:50: Returning champion at 130kg Oscar PINO (CUB) with an 11-2 Oleksandr CHERNETSKYY (UKR) and he moves into the quarterfinals where he will face Fardin HEDAYITI (IRI)

12:30: Edmond NAZARYAN (BUL) rolls into the 60kg quarterfinals with an 8-0 win over SCARPELLO (GER). He will face Pridon ABULADZE (GEO) after the Georgian defeated world bronze medalist Liguo CAO (CHN) 4-2 

12:10: In the match of the day so far, U23 world champion Pavel HLINCHUK (AIN) beats Tamas LEVAI (HUN) 11-5 at 97kg. Levai got a 3-0 lead but Hlinchuk hit two four-pointers in the bout to rule out a Levai win.

11:40: Alex SZOKE (HUN) with a 3-1 victory over Murat LOKIAYEV (AZE) at 97kg. Szoke is trying to win a spot on the Hungarian national team for the European Championships and Olympic Qualifiers

11:20: Ulvi GANIZADE (AZE) begins with an 8-0 superiority win over Iulian LUNGU (ROU) at 72kg. That match is followed by U20 world champion Abubakar KHASLAKHANAU (AIN) taking on Giorgi KATSANASHVILI (GEO) at 97kg. Khaslakhanau fell behind 5-2 but turned it around in the second period with three correct throws and exposure to win 13-5

10:50: Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI) with a technical superiority win over Laszlo DARABOS (HUN) at 130kg. Hedayati has multiple age-group world titles but it is yet to be seen if he can challenge world champion Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI).

10:40: That should settle for Azerbaijan's 130kg representative for European Olympic Qualifiers as Beka KANDELAKI (AZE) beats Sabah SHARIATI (AZE) 1-1 in the opening bout. Kandelaki got the passivity advantage in the second period to hold the criteria.

10:30: Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO) move to 60kg from 55kg ends in a 12-3 loss against Denis MIHAI (ROU) who looked bigger and better than Tsurtsumia.

10:20: Victor CIOBANU (MDA) uses his big throws to win his opening round bout against Hassan ALHARTHI (KSA) 8-4. Ciobanu was stunned by that big move from Alharthi.

10:15: Anvar ALLAKHIAROV (AIN) has got a wake-up call early in the competition. He wrestled Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) in the opening match and barely managed to eke out a 7-5 win at 60kg.

10:00: Greco-Roman weight classes on the final day of the tournament. Five will be in action in the morning as 55kg has only two wrestlers entered.