#WrestleGuatemala

Mejia Castillo Becomes Honduras' First Senior Pan-American Champ

By Taylor Miller

GUATEMALA, Guatemala – For the first time in history, an athlete from Honduras will bring home a Senior Pan American gold medal, thanks to Kevin MEJIA CASTILLO (HON), who dominated the 97kg bracket in Greco-Roman on Thursday at the 2021 Pan American Championships. 

En route to his title, Mejia had to defeat young, up-and-coming American Braxton AMOS (USA) twice today, once in pool action and later in the final. Mejia controlled both matches, winning both in spectacular 9-0 fashion. The win marks his fifth Pan American medal with the last a bronze from the 209 Pan Am Championships. 

Taking the crown at 60kg was Dicther TORO CASTANEDA (COL), who took down 2020 Olympian Ildar HAFIZOV (USA) in the finals. Toro Castaneda led 5-0 at the break before sealing the match with exposure points after being put down in par terre. The Colombian won 7-3. This is his second-consecutive Pan Am title. He also owns a silver medal from the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima. 
Andres MONTANO ARROYO (ECU) also won his fifth Pan Am gold medal, defeating Randon MIRANDA (USA) for the second time today.

Earlier in the day, Montano Arroyo shut out Miranda, 5-0, but in the finals, Miranda closed the gap but it was not enough as Montano Arroyo ultimately won 7-6. Montano Arroyo adds to his collection of titles, including three Pan Am Championships golds (2017, 2019, 2021) and two Pan Am Games golds (2015, 2019). 
 

Xavier JOHNSON (USA) throws Nilton SOTO GARCIA (PER) in their quarterfinal meeting. (Photo: Tony Rotundo)

Two athletes from the United States scored titles on Thursday: Xavier JOHNSON (USA) and Jamel JOHNSON (USA) at 67kg and 72kg, respectively. 

X. Johnson dominated Enyer FELICIANO (DOM) in just 1:12 with three huge throws, including a five-pointer for an 11-0 win in the 67kg finals. This is his first international gold medal and first appearance at the Pan American Championships. 

J. Johnson competed at 72kg, where he suffered an injury in one of his earlier bouts. However, he overcame the challenge to win the weight in round-robin action. In his last match of the day, J. Johnson was trailing 5-0 to Gerardo OLIVA MONTES (PER) but registered two four-point throws to emerge victorious, 8-5.  
 


Leo SANTANA HEREDIA (DOM) scores a fall against Steven RIANO CATANO (COL) in their opening-round meeting. (Photo: Tony Rotundo)

At heavyweight, Leo SANTANA HEREDIA (DOM) collected his third Pan Am medal, winning gold at 130kg. In the finals, he controlled Donald LONGENDYKE (USA) in a low-scoring match to win 3-0. Santana Heredia also has bronze medals from the 2019 Pan Am Games and the 2020 Pan Am Championships. 

The competition continues tomorrow with the Greco-Roman and women’s freestyle. Wrestling begins at 12 p.m. local time. Fans can watch all the action live at uww.org.

GUATEMALA, Guatemala – Por la primera vez, un atleta de Honduras logró una medalla de oro panamericana en la categoría Senior cuando Kevin MEJIA CASTILLO (HON) dominó la competencia en 97 kg en estilo grecorromana el jueves en el Campeonato Panamericano. 
Mejia Castillo derroto a Braxton AMOS (USA) dos veces el jueves, primero en el acción pool y luego en el final. Los dos veces, Mejia Castillo ganó 9-0. Esto marca su quinta medalla panamericana. La última vino en 2019 cuando metió una medalla de bronce.  

En 60 kg, Dicther TORO CASTANEDA (COL) ganó el gran premio. En el final, encontró al olímpico estadounidense Ildar HAFIZOV (USA). Toro Castaneda estaba ganando 5-0 en el periodo del descanso, y en el segundo periodo, aprovechó a una situación para sumar más puntos y sellar la victoria, 7-3. Esta es su segunda victoria consecutiva en el campeonato panamericano. Ganó la misma categoría en 2020. También tiene una medalla de plata de los los Juegos Panamericanos de Lima 2019.

Andres MONTANO ARROYO (ECU) ganó su quinta medalla de oro panamericana, derrotando a Randon MIRANDA (USA) por la segunda vez del día. Esta mañana, Montano Arroyo ganó 5-0 contra Miranda, pero en la final de 63 kg Miranda cerró la brecha pero no fue suficiente. Montano Arroyo salió victorioso, 7-6. Ahora, Montano Arroyo tiene tres oros en campeonatos panamericanos (2017, 2019, 2021) y dos oros de los juegos panamericanos (2015, 2019). 
Dos estadounidenses ganaron medallas de oro: Xavier JOHNSON (USA) y Jamel JOHNSON (USA) en las categorías 67 kg y 72 kg. 

X. Johnson dominó a Enyer FELICIANO (DOM) en solo 1:12 con tres lanzamientos para terminar con una victoria, 11-0, en el final de 67 kg. Es la primera medalla de oro internacional para él y fue su debut panamericano. 

J. Johnson compitió en 72 kg donde sufrió una herida más temprano en el día, pero él se la superó para ganar la categoría. Fue un grupo de round robin. En su final combate del día, J. Johnson estaba perdiendo contra Gerardo OLIVA MONTES (PER), pero usó dos lanzamientos valiendo cuatro puntos para asegurar el oro, 8-5. 

En 130 kg, Leo SANTANA HEREDIA (DOM) recibió su tercera medalla panamericana, ganando el oro. En el final, derrotó a Donald LONGENDYKE (USA) en un combate de pocos puntos pero Santana Heredia controló el partido para ganar 3-0. También tiene dos medallas de bronce de los Juegos Panamericanos de Lima 2019 y del campeonato panamericano de 2020. 
La competencia sigue mañana con el estile grecorromana y el estil femenino. Empieza a las 12 p.m. hora local. Se puede ver toda la acción en uww.org. 

Greco-Roman Results

60kg
GOLD – Dicther TORO CASTANEDA (COL) df. Ildar HAFIZOV (USA), 7-3
BRONZE – Maikol JOSEFA (DOM) df. Victor LOPEZ MIRANDA (ESA), 9-0
BRONZE – Marat GARIPOV (BRA) df. Joshua MEDINA (PUR), 9-0

63kg
GOLD – Andres MONTANO ARROYO (ECU) df. Randon MIRANDA (USA), 7-6
BRONZE – Emerson FELIPE ORDONEZ (GUA) df. Joao BENAVIDES ROCHABRUN (PER), 6-4
 

67kg
GOLD – Xavier JOHNSON (USA) df. Enyer FELICIANO (DOM), 11-0
BRONZE – Diego MARTINEZ DE LEIJA (MEX) df. Juan PALMA FRANCIS (ECU), 9-0
BRONZE – Calebe CORREA FERREIRA (BRA) df. Nilton SOTO GARCIA (PER), 6-1

72kg
GOLD – Jamel JOHNSON (USA)
SILVER – Juan RUIZ LUGO (MEX)
BRONZE – Carlos FUENTES PERALTA (GUA)

97kg
GOLD – Kevin MEJIA CASTILLO (HON) df. Braxton AMOS (USA), 9-0
BRONZE – Igor ALVES DE QUEIROZ (BRA) df. Ricardo MANCILLA GALINDO (MEX), 7-3

130kg
GOLD – Leo SANTANA HEREDIA (DOM) df. Donald LONGENDYKE (USA), 3-0
BRONZE – Isaque MEDEIROS CONSERVA (BRA) df. Luis ROMAN BARRIOS (MEX), fall

#WrestleParis

Paris 2024 Wrestling: Dake dominates, Zare vs Akgul in semis

By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

PARIS (August 9) -- The Paris Olympics is closing towards its end but wrestling is still in full swing here at Champs de Mars Arena. Freestyle action in 74kg and 125kg and Women's Wrestling 62kg. In the evening session, Olympic champions will be crowned in Freestyle 57kg and 86kg and Women's Wrestling 57kg.

LIVE MATCH ORDER | PARIS 2024 DAY 4

13:23: In the final freestyle 74kg quarterfinal, Razambek JAMALOV (UZB) prevails in a thriller 6-5 when Chermen VALIEV (ALB) is assessed two penalty points for fleeing in the final seconds, the second one coming on an Uzbekistan challenge after time expired. Jamalov leads 3-2 in the second period when Valiev gets a stepout and takedown for a 5-3 lead. Jamalov gets a stepout with 1:05 left, then goes on the offensive, resulting in the first fleeing penalty. That still leaves him behind on big-point criteria, and his late aggressiveness pays off when the challenge gives him the winning point.

13:14: Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) had her hands full with Ana GODINEZ (CAN) in their women's 62kg quarterfinal, but once she got the lace lock in the second period, it was all over for the Canadian. Limited to an activity point and running out of time on a late takedown attempt in the first period, Motoki finally struck with a single-leg takedown. She then wrapped up the ankles and reeled off four rolls for an 11-0 win.

13:09: Viktor RASSADIN (TJK) earns his place in the freestyle 74kg semifinals, jumping out to a 5-0 lead and holding on for a 7-4 victory over Feng LU (CHN).

13:05: Grace BULLEN (NOR) will not be denied. She starts with a 4-p0int takedown, applies the lace lock and three rolls later, she eliminates Luisa NIEMESCH (GER) with a 10-0 victory in 1:15 to advance to the women's 62kg semifinals.

13:01: Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) gets a shot to avenge a loss to Tynybekova in the women's 62kg semifinals in Tokyo when she gets a 4-point takedown in the first period en route to a 7-3 victory over Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL).

12:58: Daichi TAKATANI (JPN) glides into the freestyle 74kg semifinals in spectacular fashion, lifting Hetik CABOLOV (SRB) onto his shoulders and executing a balletic 4-point throw to cap a 10-0 victory with :19 left in the first period. Takatani had already scored two takedowns, adding an exposure after the second and nearly ending it with a fall.

12:53: After his high Mason PARRIS (USA), Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) cannot hold the fort against Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE) and drops 12-2. He will face Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) in the 125kg semifinals.

12:52: Kyle DAKE (USA) looks on a mission as he manhandles Yones EMAMI (IRI), buildling up a 9-1 lead before using a counter lift to put Iranian on his back and securing a fall to advance to the freestyle 74kg semifinals. Dake scored three takedowns with a single leg in which he lits the leg high into the air and trips Emami to the mat.

12:52: Are we seeing another 'miracle' in women's wrestling? Kayla MIRACLE (USA) gets an activity point, then picks up a takedown for a 3-0 lead against 62kg favorite Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ). But adversity brings out the best in Tynybekova, and she cuts the lead with a stepout early in the second period, then gets behind and swings Miracle to the mat for a 4-point takedown. An unsuccessful challenge gives Tynybekova a 6-3 lead, but it's still not over. Miracle gets a stepout, then hits a roll through for an exposure in the final seconds. But the 4-point move holds sway for a 6-6 win on criteria that puts Tynybekova into the semifinals.

12:46: Taha AKGUL (TUR) takes his own time to beat Daniel LIGETI (HUN) and he books a semifinal spot against Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI). Both have a 1-1 head-to-head.

12:41: Chermen VALIEV (ALB) gets a stepout with four seconds left, and it's upheld on a challenge to give him a dramatic 4-3 victory over European bronze medalist Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE) for the final spot in the freestyle 74kg quarterfinals.

12:40: Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) uses four minutes and 16 seconds to beat Amarveer DHESI (CAN) 10-0 and move into the semifinals. He awaits the winner of Taha AKGUL (TUR) and Daniel LIGETI (HUN).

12:39: World silver medalist Sakura MOTOKI (JPN), whose father was an Olympian at Sydney 2000 but did not medal, got her campaign for a place on the women's 62kg podium off to a successful start with a quick fall over Kriszta INCZE (ROU). A takedown and an arm bar and Incze was on her back, with the match ending in 37 seconds.  
      
12:35:
Ana GODINEZ (CAN) defies the home crowd when she holds on for a 5-2 win over Ameline DOUARRE (FRA) at women's 62kg. Godinez gets an activity point and two takedowns in the first period. Douarre energizes the crowd with a second-period takedown, but that will be the end of the scoring.

12:35: Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO), the returning silver medalist, opens his day with an 11-0 dominance of Oleksandr KHOTSIANIVSKYI (UKR).

12:29: Razembek JAMALOV (UZB) charges to a 6-0 lead, then holds off four-time reigning European champion Taimuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) for an 11-3 victory in a testy match at freestyle 74kg. It was only 6-3 when Jamalov added a bunch of points in the final seconds.  

12:25: Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE) gets going with a 4-0 win over Diaaeldin ABDELMOTTALEB (EGY) and he books his spot in the quarterfinals. In the next match, Robert BARAN (POL) holds off Yusup BATIRMURZAEV (KAZ) 4-1.

12:25: European silver medalist Luisa NIEMESCH (GER) grinds out a 3-0 victory at women's 62kg over Hanbit LEE (KOR), a last-minute reallocation entry into the field. Niemesch scores a takedown while on the activity clock, then adds an activity point in the second. 

12:15: European champion Grace BULLEN (NOR) gets her Olympic debut off to a good start, capping a 12-2 win over Siwar BOUSETA (TUN) with a 4-point takedown at women's 62kg.  

12:15: Feng LU (CHN) allows Amr HUSSEN (EGY) to tie their freestyle 74kg match at 4-all in the first period, but breaks it open in the second with a 10-point surge for a 14-4 victory.

12:08: Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL), back in Paris where she won world gold in 2017, won't be leaving with the women's 62kg gold this time. Tokyo bronze medalist Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) rallies from a 4-0 deficit in the second period, scoring a takedown and two exposures, then adding another takedown to go ahead 8-4. But it is not over. Purevdorj gets a stepout, then a counter lift with :20 left to cut the gap to one, but Koliadenko holds out for an 8-7 win.

12:04: Former world silver medalist Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) brings out a huge second period to score a four-pointer and then break Mason PARRIS (USA) in the 125kg 1/8 finals. He beats Parris, who won bronze at the World Championships in 2023, 10-5 and moved into the quarterfinals.

12:03: Russian-born Asian silver medalist Viktor RASSADIN (TJK), looking to give Tajikistan just its second-ever Olympic medal, scores four takedowns in an 8-2 win over Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) at freestyle 74kg.

11:56: Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL), the 2021 world champion at 59kg, is nursing a tentative 3-2 lead in the second period against Johanna LINDBORG (SWE) at women's 62kg. Lindborg shoots for the winning takedown, but Dudova hits a 4-point counter. Lindborg forces her out for one, then loses a challenge over the exchange and Dudova walks off an 8-3 winner.

11:53: Yones EMAMI (IRI) needs to expend little energy following his tough preliminary round match at freestyle 74kg with Frank CHAMIZO (ITA), getting the takedown against Bacar NDUM (GBS) and executing four back-and-forth rolls for a 10-0 win in 1:34.

11:50: Rio Olympic champion Taha AKGUL (TUR) begins his quest for his third Olympic medal with an 11-0 win over Jonovan SMITH (PUR). Akgul will take on Ligeti in the quarterfinals of 125kg

11:44: World bronze medalist Daichi TAKATANI (JPN) scores a takedown right to a roll to finish up a 10-0 victory over Geandry GARZON (CUB) at freestyle 74kg. Takatani is trying to get the medal that eluded older brother Sohsuke in three trips to the Olympics.

11:44: Two-time world silver medalist Kayla MIRACLE (USA) gives up an early takedown to world U23 champion Nesrin BAS (TUR) at women's 62kg, but comes back with four takedowns of her own, capping the final one with a 2-point exposure for a 10-2 lead. She then adds a creative 2-point roll while under Bas on a takedown attempt. Next up for the American is Tynybekova.

11:42: Daniel LIGETI (HUN) makes it to the quarterfinal at 125kg with a top 10-0 technical superiority win over Ashton MUTUWA (NGR).

11:40: World bronze medalist Hetik CABOLOV (SRB) finishes off a 10-0 victory at freestyle 74kg with his second takedown-gut wrench combo, knocking out Refugee Team member Iman MAHDAVI (EOR) in 2:49.

11:33: Tokyo bronze medalist Kyle DAKE (USA) makes short work of Anthony MONTERO (VEN) in his bid for an elusive gold at freestyle 74kg, combining takedowns with gut wrenches for a 10-0 win in 2:20.

11:33: Top seed and reigning world champion Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) gets her campaign started at women's 62kg Tokyo Olympic silver medalist has her hands full with Esther KOLAWOLE (NGR), but comes away with a 5-3 victory. Tynybekova falls behind 1-1 on criteria early in the second period when she gives up a stepout. She comes back with a stepout of her own, then uses a cradle to secure a takedown. Kolawole scores a takedown in the last seconds, then loses a dubious challenge to give Tynybekova her final point.

11:36: Amarveer DHESI (CAN) manages to get two technical points over Zhiwei DENG (CHN) and win his 125kg bout 2-1 and book a place in the quarterfinals against Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI).

11:28: World champion and returning bronze medalist Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) begins his day with a 5-0 win over Aiaal LAZAREV (KGZ). Not much troubled Zare in that bout.

11:27: Razambek  JAMALOV (UZB) breaks open a close match at freestyle 74kg to knock off Tokyo silver medalist Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (AIN) 8-0. With a 2-0 lead heading into the second period, Jamalov gets in deep on a double, lifts up and back to put Kadzimahamedau onto his back for 2. He then adds a takedown and gut wrench for good measure.  

11:21: In the two repechage bouts on Mat C, Javrail SHAPIEV (UZB) takes out Alexander MOORE (CAN) 6-1 and Dauren KURUGLIEV (GRE) wins 10-0 against Jayden LAWRENCE (AUS). Both Shapiev and Kurugliev book spots in the bronze medal bouts.

11:20: Giullia PENALBER (BRA) fills the final place in the women's 57kg bronze-medal matches with a 7-0 victory over Sandra PARUSZEWSKI (GER). Penalber gets a 4-point takedown and a regular takedown in the second period. She will face Kexin HONG (CHN) for the bronze.

11:18: Fans get an early treat with a clash between veteran and two-time former world champion Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) and two-time world medalist Yones EMAMI (IRI) in a preliminary round match at freestyle 74kg, which has 18 entries. Chamizo, a bronze medalist at Rio 2016, takes a 4-3 lead in the first period with a pair of scores of some wild scrambles. But Emami charges back, getting a 4-point takedown off a single-leg and adds another takedown for a 9-4 win.

11:10: In the opener on Mat B, Hannah TAYLOR (CAN) is in control all the way in rolling to a 13-0 victory over Luisa VALVERDE (ECU) in a women's 57kg repechage, clinching it with a 4-point takedown.  She will try to win her first Olympic medal by keeping Helen MAROULIS (USA) from winning her third in the bronze-medal match.  

11:06: The action on Mat A opens with the lone repechage match at freestyle 57kg. Bekzat ALMAZ UULU (KGZ) spots Wanhao ZOU (CHN) a four-point lead, but catches him with a pancake to get the fall with :24 left in the first period. He will face Golomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) for the bronze later tonight.

10:55: Welcome to day five of wrestling at the Paris Olympics. We advise you to click on the match order of the day and have your minds blown!