#WrestleBuenosAires

Nunes de Oliveira Avenges World Championships Loss to Mallory Velte at #WrestleBuenosAires

By Taylor Miller

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – Lais NUNES DE OLIVEIRA (BRA) won the 62 kg women’s freestyle Pan Am Championships title on Saturday night, avenging a loss from World Championships to Mallory VELTE (USA).

Nunes de Oliveira fell short of a World bronze medal in October, losing to Velte in the bronze-medal match, 2-1. Today, she flipped the result in her favor, claiming a 6-1 decision over the American in the Pan Am finals.

The U.S. did, however, win three individual titles and a team title on Saturday.

At 53 kg, 2018 World silver medalist Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA) defeated 2011 Junior World bronze medalist Luisa VALVERDE MELENDRES (ECU) with a 10-0 tech fall.

Winning the championship at 68 kg was 2018 World bronze medalist Tamyra MENSAH-STOCK (USA), who pinned 2018 U23 World champion Yudari SANCHEZ RODRIGUEZ (CUB) in 1:33.

Just a few matches later, four-time World champion Adeline GRAY (USA) picked up a win by fall also, with a pin over Genesis REASCO VALDEZ (ECU) in 1:20 for the 76 kg gold.

Cuba and Ecuador also earned champions on Saturday night.

At 50 kg, 2016 Junior Pan American champion Yusneylys GUZMAN LOPEZ (CUB) edged out three-time Junior World medalist Erin GOLSTON (USA), scoring a takedown and step out in the first period for a 3-0 win.

Two-time Olympian Lissette ANTES CASTILLO (ECU) won the 57 kg bracket, pinning Hannah TAYLOR (CAN) in 1:32, helping Team Ecuador to a third-place finish.

In men’s freestyle, Chandler ROGERS (USA) and J’den COX (USA) won the two gold medals of the night, both registering pins in their final matches.

Rogers stuck Francisco GUZMAN VELASQUEZ (PUR), while 2018 World champion Cox tallied a 13-second pin over Diego RAMIREZ FLORENTIN (PAR).

The competition wraps up tomorrow with eight men’s freestyle weights. Action will begin at 10 a.m. local time (9 a.m. EST) live on unitedworldwrestling.org.

Final women’s freestyle team standings
1. USA – 200
2. Canada – 167
3. Ecuador – 89
4. Brazil – 89
5. Cuba – 86
6. Peru – 54
7. Venezuela – 52
8. Argentina – 47
9. Puerto Rico – 45
10. Mexico – 45

Final women’s freestyle results

50 kg
GOLD - Yusneylys GUZMAN LOPEZ (CUB) dec. Erin GOLSTON (USA), 3-0
BRONZE - Thalia MALLQUI PECHE (PER) dec. Jacqueline MOLLOCANA ELENO (ECU), 10-7
BRONZE - Patricia BERMUDEZ (ARG) df. Mariana DIAZ MUNOZ (MEX), fall

53 kg
GOLD - Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA) TF Luisa VALVERDE MELENDRES (ECU), 10-0
BRONZE - Diana WEICKER (CAN) dec. Carolina CASTILLO HIDALGO (COL), 6-3
BRONZE - Lilianet DUANES ANDRES (CUB) TF Justina BENITES VASQUEZ (PER), 10-0

57 kg
GOLD - Lissette ANTES CASTILLO (ECU) df. Hannah TAYLOR (CAN), fall 1:32
BRONZE - Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) df. Yessica OVIEDO PEREZ (DOM), fall 5:54
BRONZE - Betzabeth SARCO COLMENAREZ (VEN) dec. Nes RODRIGUEZ TIRADO (PUR), 5-4

62 kg
GOLD - Lais NUNES DE OLIVEIRA (BRA) dec. Mallory VELTE (USA), 6-1
BRONZE - Nathaly GRIMAN HERRERA (VEN) df. Yaquelin ESTORNELL ELIZASTIGUE (CUB), 1:05
BRONZE - Abnelis YAMBO MIRANDA (PUR) dec. Mayra ANTES CASTILLO (ECU), 11-7

68 kg
GOLD - Tamyra MENSAH (USA) df. Yudari SANCHEZ RODRIGUEZ (CUB), fall 1:33
BRONZE - Olivia DI BACCO (CAN) df. Yanet SOVERO NINO (PER), injury default
BRONZE - Ambar GARNICA FLORES (MEX) dec. Andrimar LAZARO DIAZ (VEN), 8-4

76 kg
GOLD - Adeline GRAY (USA) df. Genesis REASCO VALDEZ (ECU), fall 1:20
BRONZE - Erica WIEBE (CAN) dec. Mabelkis CAPOTE PEREZ (CUB), 6-0
BRONZE - Diana CRUZ ARROYO (PER) df. Gabriela CANALES HERRERA (MEX), fall

Men’s freestyle final results

79 kg
GOLD - Chandler ROGERS (USA)
SILVER - Santiago MARTINEZ RESTREPO (COL)
BRONZE - Jasmit PHULKA (CAN)

92 kg
GOLD - J'den COX (USA)
SILVER - Jaime ESPINAL (PUR)
BRONZE - Diego RAMIREZ FLORENTIN (PAR)

 

#development

Dominican Republic hosts flawless More Than Medals 2024 camp

By United World Wrestling Press

SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (August 3) — The Dominican Olympic Sports Center was the epicenter of a transformative experience for athletes and coaches. More Than Medals 2024 exceeded expectations, offering a comprehensive program that combined sports development with personal growth and community action.

For seven days, 13 countries and 32 wrestlers were immersed in an environment of learning and camaraderie. Top-notch facilities allowed for high-performance training, while workshops on nutrition, sports psychology, injury prevention, and leadership provided valuable tools for the athletes' future.

The week was marked by a series of specialized clinics led by experts in various areas:

  • Applied Psychology in Sports (Lic. Rusbel Salomón)
  • Nutrition Applied to Weight Control Sports (Dr. Francisco Soto)
  • Doping Prevention (Dra. Laura Anabel Pinedo)
  • Sports Injury Prevention (Lic. Abel Caballero)

These sessions enriched the participants' knowledge and promoted the importance of holistic health in sports.

Training sessions were led by each national coach, allowing everyone to experience different countries' training styles and learn new methods.

A fun activity day was organized with the support of the Dominican Wrestling Federation, including sightseeing in the traditional Santo Domingo neighborhood.

The commitment to the community was evident in the inspiring beach cleanup day. Athletes and coaches worked side by side to preserve the environment, demonstrating that sport can catalyze positive change.

The Dominican Wrestling Federation played a crucial role as the event's main organizer, demonstrating exceptional commitment and efficiency in ensuring the program’s success. Their collaboration, alongside the support of the Dominican Olympic Committee, was instrumental in creating a memorable and impactful experience for all participants.

More Than Medals 2024 also left a lasting impact on the Dominican sports community. Through exchanging knowledge and promoting values such as respect, inclusion, and solidarity, the program strengthened local sports and laid the foundation for a more promising future.

As a flagship initiative of United World Wrestling, More Than Medals continues to showcase the power of sport to unite people and generate positive change. We look forward to future editions of this inspiring program and the continued success of its mission.