#WrestleAcapulco

Maroulis, Miracle post contrasting wins to clinch Pan-Am golds

By Gaurav Bhatt

ACAPULCO, Mexico (February 22) -- Kayla MIRACLE (USA) needed miraculous escapes while Helen MAROULIS' (USA) experience was on show as they struck gold for the United States at the Pan-American Championships on Thursday. Overall, the American women earned four gold and two bronze medals in a dominant display in Acapulco.  

Miracle defeated two-time champion Ana GODINEZ (CAN) 6-6 in the 62 kg final to win her second Pan-Am Championships gold. Maroulis beat Giullia PENALBAR (BRA) 4-1 in 57kg to grab her first medal at the event since the 55kg gold in 2012.

After a strong start in her opening bout, Miracle needed to rally back twice on her way to glory. The two-time world silver medallist pinned Astrid MONTERO (VEN) in a thrilling semifinal.

For the majority of the bout, Montero was the more aggressive wrestler. She earned the opening point after Miracle couldn't score on the shot clock, and followed it up with a takedown. Early in the second period, she added two more to take a 5-0 lead.

Miracle fought back with a fantastic sequence. The American went for a double-leg takedown, secured Montero's right leg, got her back and put on the work, eventually pinning her opponent with 90 seconds left on the clock.

Then Miracle got a measure of revenge against Godinez, who had defeated the American in the 62kg final two years ago at the same venue.

Miracle was again put on the shot clock further emboldening Godinez into attacking. Miracle instead reversed the Canadian's shot to pull off two chest wraps. Godinez then secured a single-leg takedown in a flash to finish the first period as the leader at 4-3.

Late in the second period, Godinez earned two points with a double leg, however, Miracle countered the move with another powerful chest wrap to lead 6-5. Godinez earned another point for a step out but Miracle's defense in the final seconds secured her the criteria win.

Godinez went for a desperate takedown and missed it as the clock ran out. The Canadian, who was gunning for a hat-trick of gold medals, sat on the mat in crushing disappointment.

Both wrestlers will take the mat at next week's Pan-Am Olympic qualifier.

Earlier, Maroulis — a three-time World champion and 2016 Olympic gold medallist — brought her big stage experience to the mat against Penalber. The two finalists had sailed into the final without giving up a single point.

Maroulis opened the scoring with a headlock, pushing Penalber out of bounds. The Brazilian was put on the shot clock and couldn't score, giving up a 2-0 lead to end the period.

In the second period, Maroulis conceded her first and only point of the day when she couldn't score on the shot clock. With 10 seconds left on the clock, Penalber went for a lunge onto Maroulis' right leg. The American defended and countered to bring the Brazilian down and finish the match with authority.

The silver was the seventh medal at the event for the two-time champion Penalber, who also won the gold at the Pan-American Games last November.

In the 50kg category, four-time medallist Jacqueline MOLLOCANA (ECU) won her first gold medal, defeating Mariana ROJAS (VEN) 4-3.

Alisha HOWK (USA) took home the 55kg gold with a 4-4 win over Zeltzin HERNANDEZ (MEX). The American had to miss out on a rematch from last year after defending champion Diana WEICKER (CAN) gave walkovers.

Brooklyn HAYS defeated Katie MULKAY (CAN) 6-4 and Edna JIMENEZ (MEX) 11-0 to clinch the 72kg gold while Olivia DI BACCO (CAN) won her first gold at the event with a walkover victory over Soleymi CARAVALLO (VEN).

In Greco-Roman action, the 20-year-old Alexis VARGAS (MEX) won the 72kg gold medal. Two-time champion Kevin MEJIA (HON) defeated last year's bronze medallist Alan VERA (USA) to take home the 97kg title.

RESULTS

Women's Wrestling

50kg
GOLD: Jacqueline MOLLOCANA (ECU) df. Mariana ROJAS DIAZ (VEN), 4-3

BRONZE: Audrey JIMENEZ (USA) df. Katie DUTCHAK (CAN),8-2
BRONZE: Moran YORLENIS MILAGROS (PAN) df. Kamila BARBOSA (BRA), 7-6

55kg
GOLD: Alisha HOWK (USA)
SILVER: Zeltzin HERNANDEZ (MEX)
BRONZE: Diana WEICKER (CAN)

57kg
GOLD: Helen MAROULIS (USA) df. Giullia OLIVEIRA (BRA), 4-1

BRONZE: Yocleidy RAMIREZ (DOM) df. Hannah TAYLOR (CAN), via inj. def.
BRONZE: Luisa VALVERDE (ECU) df. Andrea GONZALEZ (COL), 6-4

62kg
GOLD: Kayla MIRACLE (USA) df. Ana GODINEZ (CAN), 6-6

BRONZE: Lais NUNES (BRA) df. Arely NOVELO (MEX), 11-0
BRONZE: Astrid MONTERO (VEN) df. Katherine RENTERIA (COL), 11-1

68kg
GOLD: Olivia DI BACCO (CAN) df. Caraballo SOLEYMI (VEN), via inj. def.

BRONZE: Ayovi LEONELA (ECU) df. Alejandra RIVERA (MEX), 6-3
BRONZE: Alexandria GLAUDE (USA) df. Nicoll PARRADO (COL), 3-3

Greco-Roman

72kg
GOLD: Alexis VARGAS (MEX)
SILVER: Calebe CORREA (BRA)
BRONZE: Noah WACHSMUTH (USA)

97kg
GOLD: Kevin MEJIA CASTILLO (HON) df. Alan VERA GARCIA (USA), 8-0

BRONZE: Luillys PEREZ (VEN) df. Pedro BELLO (MEX), 5-1
BRONZE: Adames CARLOS (DOM) df. Gomez RICARDO (ARG), 8-0

#WrestleAcapulco

Four must-see matches at the #WrestleAcapulco Pan-Ams

By Olivia Lichti

ACAPULCO, Mexico (April 28) --- The upcoming Pan-American Championships (May 5-8) are set to play host to the continent's biggest women’s wrestling stars. The crop of top-level talent heading to Mexico will feature a mix of veterans and rising stars, as two Olympic medalists, four returning champions and a pair of U23 world champions will try to stamp their names in the continental history books.

After seeing the entries, we broke down the four matches on the women’s wrestling side of the competition that wrestling fans need to see in Acapulco.

 

53kg: Sam STEWART (CAN) vs Luisa VALVERDE MELENDRES (ECU)
Though Sam STEWART (CAN) came just short of qualifying for the 2020 Olympics, giving up a deciding takedown in the final seconds of the Last Chance Qualifier semis, she rebounded strong in Oslo last year, winning her first world medal in the Norwegian capital. Her impressive run to bronze was capped off with a beautiful inside trip directly to the pin over Khrystyna BEREZA (UKR). Stewart will look to win her first continental medal since her last appearance at Pan-Ams in 2016, where she took gold at 55kg.

The Canadian’s primary challenger will be rival Luisa Elizabeth VALVERDE MELENDRES (ECU). The 31-year-old veteran owns an impressive seven Pan-Am medals, highlighted by a gold in 2020. Valverde also became an Olympian in Tokyo, where she beat world bronze medalist Maria Prevolaraki (GRE) in the opening round before ultimately falling in the quarterfinals. Like Stewart, Valverde attended the World Championships in Oslo last year, but fell just short of a medal, finishing in 5th place.

These two wiley veterans have faced each other in three exciting matches over the past two years, with the Ecuadoran leading the series 2-1. Valverde pinned Stewart at the 2020 Matteo Pellicone and defeated her 4-0 in the opening rounds of the Pan-Am Olympic Games Qualifier, though Stewart beat her dominantly for revenge in the bronze medal match. The next installment of this rivalry is a must-watch in Acapulco.

 

62kg: Ana GODINEZ GONZALEZ (CAN) vs Kayla MIRACLE (USA)
Wrestling fans have been treated to two matches between international stars Kayla Colleen Kiyoko MIRACLE (USA) and Ana Paula GODINEZ GONZALEZ (CAN) over the past two years, and the matchup has blossomed into an exciting rivalry. The first time the two faced each other, Miracle pulled away with a dominant 8-0 victory. The second time around, however, things were different: Godinez was able to close the gap, falling just short to Miracle in an intense 6-5 match.

Both these women have amassed some major credentials over the past two years- Miracle was a 2020 Olympian and went on to earn a world silver medal in Oslo, Norway, while Godinez picked up a U23 world title in Belgrade, Serbia. These women are undoubtedly both huge parts of the future of this weight class, and the exciting nature of their previous matches will make this a can’t-miss bout should they cross paths.

Justina DI STASIO (CAN) heads into Mexico looking to become a five-time Pan-Am champion. (Photo: Tony Rotundo)

76kg: Justina DI STASIO (CAN) vs Milaimys MARIN POTRILLE (CUB) vs Tatiana RENTERIA (COL)
Even without six-time world champion Adeline GRAY (USA) or 2016 Olympic champion Erica WIEBE (CAN), the 76kg division will arguably be the deepest weight class contested across all styles. It’s headlined by 2018 72kg world champion Justina DI STASIO (CAN), who comes into this event as the on-paper favorite. Di Stasio has won four Pan-Am titles since 2015 and has long been a formidable competitor at heavyweight, though perhaps hasn’t had as much of an opportunity to prove herself internationally with compatriot Erica Wiebe owning the world team spot for many years.

Di Stasio will be challenged by a host of young talents. One of the prime challengers is Colombia’s Tatiana Renteria, who made a name for herself when she picked up a silver medal at the U23 World Championships in Belgrade, Serbia. She also owns a Junior Pan-Am title from 2019. Another youngster who’s had ample success on the age-level scene is Cuba’s Milaimys Marin Potrille. Marin debuted internationally in 2018, where she picked up a Cadet Pan-Am title and a Youth Olympic Games gold medal. She didn’t slow down the following year, winning junior and U23 world titles at the young age of 18. Though Marin Potrille has yet to amass any senior-level success, this tournament will provide her with the opportunity to pick up some substantial wins.

Such is the depth of the heavyweight field that even beyond these competitors there’s lots of credentialed women: keep an eye on Ecuador’s Genesis Rosangela REASCO VALDEZ (ECU), who took silver at this event last year with an 11-0 victory over 2014 world silver medalist Aline SILVA (BRA). Also in attendance are Youth Olympic Games silver medallist Linda MACHUCA (ARG) and Junior Pan-Am silver medallist Diamond GUILFORD (USA). As always, 76 kilos will be the women’s weight class to watch- make sure you don’t miss any matchups between these top hammers.

 

55kg: Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) vs Lucia YEPEZ GUZMAN (ECU)
2019 world champion Jacarra Gwenisha WINCHESTER (USA) will look to defend her 2021 continental title in Mexico this week. She’s back up at her optimal weight class of 55kg after a fifth-place finish at the Olympic Games at 53kg and will be the on-paper favorite to win gold here. However, her absence at the 2021 Worlds in Oslo after failing to make the US National Team is significant, and it’ll be interesting to see how she bounces back here- especially with a challenge like Lucia Yamileth YEPEZ GUZMAN (ECU).

Lucia Yepez broke out onto the senior international scene in 2021 after qualifying for the Olympics at 50kg at the Last Chance Qualifier in Bulgaria. She followed up that performance with a solid Olympic Games run, where she upset world medallist Valentina ISLAMOVA BRIK (KAZ) before ultimately falling to Yui SUSAKI (JPN) in the quarterfinals. She then bumped up to 53kg for the U23 World Championships in Serbia, where her dominant performance led her to become the first Ecuadorian woman to win a world title.

This will be Yepez’s first senior Pan-Ams, and her debut at 55kg. Though she has shown great promise in the lower weight classes, this competition will be an important test to see if she can hold her own against a new crop of tough women. A matchup between proven veteran Winchester and rising star Yepez will be a must-see.

All the Pan-Am championship action starts next Thursday (May 5), live on www.uww.org.