#WrestleAcapulco

Pan-Am preview: USA chasing dominance with star-studded line-up

Saturday, April 30, 2022 - 13:15 By Vinay Siwach

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ACAPULCO, Mexico (April 30) -- Kyle DAKE (USA) will be in a new territory next week. The three-time world champion will be defending his Pan-Am title for the first time in his career.

Dake, an Olympic bronze medalist, won the gold in '21 in his first Pan-Am championships and in five days, he will be entering his second, unusual for the Cornell University graduate. He will be leading a solid USA team to Acapulco which will be looking to repeat an unprecedented performance of defending all 10 golds from last year.

In Guatemala City, the USA captured all 10 freestyle gold medals to win the team title with ease. While Olympic champions David TAYLOR (USA) and Gable STEVESON (USA) are not entered, five-time world champion Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) is returning to the competition after two years.

But for Dake, wrestling for the first time since winning his first world title down at 74kg, it will be another chance to cement his authority at the weight as he chases the Paris Olympics gold in 2024.

In Tokyo, Dake was stunned by a quarterfinals loss by Magomed KADZHIMURADEAU (BWF) using some two big four-point throws, the way Dake is popular to finish his bouts.

But putting a rare day behind, he went on to win the bronze over Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) and two months later won the gold in Oslo over two-time European champion Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK).

The 30-year-old will start as the favorite in Mexico in a bracket which has familiar names in Jasmit PHULKA (CAN), Franklin CASTILLO (CUB) and Franklin GOMEZ (PUR).

On paper, Dake should not have any trouble claiming the gold but with some experience in Phulka and Gomez, he will be put to test. Castillo can be the dark horse in the competition if Dake slips up.

Another world champion who will be defending his title will be Kyle SNYDER (USA). The two-time world champion and Tokyo silver medalist has been a constant in the USA team since the 2015 World Championships and will now be looking to add another Pan-Am title at 97kg.

Oslo world champion Thomas GILMAN (USA) will be looking to win the title at 57kg while silver medalist from Oslo Daton FIX (USA) is entered at 61kg. J'den COX (USA) is entered at 92kg.

Apart from the world medalists, defending champion Joseph McKENNA (USA), Zain Retherford (USA), Zahid VALENCIA (USA) and Nicholas GWIAZDOWSKI (USA) complete the line-up for the country.

It can be called the warm-up for the USA World Team Trials in first week of June but over the years, the country has sent their best wrestlers to the Pan-Am Championships and perhaps continuing the same trend this year.

The last time the USA returned without a gold medal was in 2001 when Cuba won the majority of the gold. But for the last 20 years, the USA has won at least a gold medal at the tournament and once again they will be looking for a dominant performance with a star-studded team.

All USA wrestlers will start as the favorites in their weight classes but a few challengers can stop them from maintaining a perfect record.

At 65kg, McKenna will have Argentina Olympian Agustin DESTRIBATS (ARG) and fellow NCAA wrestler Sebastian RIVERA (PUR) in the draw which can prove to be a test for the defending champion.

For Valencia, a flamboyant 86-kilogramer, Ethan RAMOS (PUR) could prove to be a problem. Ramos would fancy himself beating Valencia if the two clash in the tournament.

At 125kg, Gwiazdowski is returning to the team after Steveson's move to be away from amateur wrestling. The two-time world bronze medalist will be under pressure to perform after missing out on a medal in Oslo.

YezepLucia YEPEZ (ECU) will be looking for her first senior Pan-Am title. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

The women's wrestling brackets will be much closer than freestyle. The USA will still be favorites to defend their team title from last year.

At 50kg, Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA) is the favorite to win the title but Kamila BARBOSA (BRA) and Yoannia PEREZ (CUB) can trouble her. The top-seeded wrestler will be wrestling for the first time since winning the silver medal in Oslo.

Former world champion Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) is entered at 55kg and it all may come down to a battle against Lucia YEPEZ GUZMAN (ECU). Winchester had a stunning run at the Ranking Series event in Istanbul, winning the gold and she would like to maintain the perfect start she has had to the year.

But U23 world champion Yepez is debuting at her senior Pan-Am and can challenge Winchester. She qualified for the Tokyo Olympics at 50kg before moving up to 53kg to win the world title in Belgrade. The history creator now has a chance to win her first continental title if she can repeat the performance from Serbia.

Forrest MOLINARI (USA) will be the favorites to win 65kg. 

Molinari rebounded from her loss to Emma BRUNTIL at the Ivan Yariguin Grand Prix to beat her in Istanbul and claim the bragging right at 65kg for the USA. She will now be looking to win the gold in Mexico.

At 53kg, while Dominique PARRISH (USA) remains in the fray, the battle for gold may well come down to World bronze medalist Samantha STEWART (CAN) and Ecuador veteran Luisa VALVERDE (ECU). Stewart is returning to the continental championships after six years. She won the gold medal at 55kg in 2016.

Ideally for Ecuador, young star Yepez should have been at 53kg but veteran Valverde has been the mainstay at this weight. The 31-year-old has impressive seven Pan-Am medals including gold in 2020. While Stewart claimed the bronze in Oslo, Valverde fell short as she lost her bronze-medal bout.

The two have met before with Valverde leading the head-to-head 2-1 in the last two years. She has wins over Stewart from the 2020 Matteo Pellicone and Pan-Am Olympic Games Qualifier.

A three-way battle can ensue at 62kg and 76kg. The two Olympic weight classes will have young stars pitted against some veterans.

At 62kg, U23 world champion Ana GONZALEZ (CAN) and world silver medalist Kayla MIRACLE (USA) pitted against each other. The two have met twice before with the USA wrestler winning both times. But Gonzalez has reduced the deficit.

After her first 8-0 loss, Gonzalez was closer to Miracle, suffering a 6-5 loss but the battle in Mexico can well see her win her first over the Tokyo Olympian.

But Lais NUNES DE OLIVEIRA (BRA) can spoil their party. In a stunning start to the year, she defeated two-time world champion Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) at the Yasar Dogu. She will be backing herself to win the title in Mexico.

At 76kg, in a rare occurrence, none of Adeline GRAY (USA) or Erica WIEBE (CAN) are entered for the tournament.

For Canada, that means '18 72kg world champion Justina DI STASIO (CAN) is the favorite. A four-time Pan-Am champion, she will be eyeing a start that can get her going for the Paris Olympic cycle if Wiebe decides to sit out. Di Stasio has been a formidable force at the heavyweight and Mexico can be an opportunity to fulfill the dream of an Olympic medal.

But challenging her are two young stars -- Tatiana RENTERIA (COL) and Milaimys POTRILLE (CUB). The two have had decent success at the age-group level. Renteria won a junior Pan-Am title and picked up a silver medal at the U23 Worlds in Belgrade in 2021.

While she has been away from the mat for some time, Potrille will be looking for a big win at the senior level. Since debuting internationally in 2018, where she picked up a Cadet Pan-Am title and a Youth Olympic Games gold medal. A year later, she picked up junior and U23 world titles at the age of 18.

Despite the three top wrestlers, others in the field cannot be left out. Ecuador’s Genesis 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).

pino hindsOscar PINO HINDS (CUB) will be wrestling at 130kg. (Photo: UWW / Max Rose-Fyne)

The return of Rio Olympic champion Ismael BORRERO (CUB) headlines the Greco-Roman field at the competition. The Cuban star was expected to win the gold in Tokyo but lost his second bout and had to bow at the tournament.

Borrero, the two-time world champion and Rio Olympic gold medalist, will be lacing his boots up for the first time since the Tokyo Olympic Games. After dominating his way to gold at the 2019 World Championships, he battled COVID twice.

His opponents may fancy beating the star who is returning for the first time since the Tokyo Games.

Another Cuban star Oscar PINO HINDS (CUB) will be in action in Mexico. He is back on the team after Mijain LOPEZ (CUB) won the gold in Tokyo.

Three defending champions in Benjamin PROVISOR (USA), Kevin CASTILLO (HON) and Leo HEREDIA (DOM) are returning to win a second straight.

#WrestleParis

Wrestling at Paris 2024: Lopez beats Mirzazadeh, Ozaki falls

Monday, August 5, 2024 - 12:41 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

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PARIS (August 5) -- Welcome to wrestling at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Day one here at the Champs de Mars Arena with Greco-Roman in 130kg and 60kg and Women's Wrestling in 68kg.

LIVE MATCH ORDER | PARIS 2024 NEWS

What a session of wrestling! Mijain LOPEZ (CUB) marches towards a fifth Olympic gold medal after reaching the semifinals at 130kg. He downed world champion Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) 3-1. At 60kg, Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN) vs Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) in the semifinal. 

In women's wrestling, Amit ELOR (USA) has Sol Gum PAK (PRK) while Blessing OBURODUDU (NGR) wrestles Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ)

17:20: Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN) looks like a man on a mission as he puts away Mehdi MOHSEN NEJAD (IRI) on his first chance of par terre, going back and forth for four exposures and a 9-0 win in 1:43 at Greco 60kg. That sets up a mouth-watering encounter with Sharshenbekov for a place in the finals.

17:17: Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) pulls off one of the biggest victories of her career, scoring a takedown with seven seconds left to stun Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) 8-6 at women's 68kg after squandering a six-point lead. Zhumanazarova counters a single leg for a takedown and adds a roll, then picks up a second takedown to go up 6-0 at the break. Ozaki comes back in the second period with a takedown and gut wrench, then goes ahead on criteria with a takedown with 1:10 left. But Zhumanazarova still has some fight left in her, and gets behind on a single for the win.

17:15: Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) rides a 4-point throw from par terre to a 9-0 victory over Razvan ARNAUT (ROU) to secure his place in the Greco 60kg semifinals.

17:07: Liguo CAO (CHN) gets a 4-point throw from par terre and that makes the difference in a 5-3 victory over a gutsy Raiber RODRIGUEZ (VEN) to advance to the Greco 60kg semifinals.

17:06: Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR) relied on her wits and experience to defy the home crowd and get past Koumba LARROQUE (FRA) 6-2 and advance to the women's 68kg semifinals. Oborududu trailed 2-1 in the second period when she scored a takedown with 1:10 left. With Larroque pressing for the winning score, it was Oborududu who came up with a takedown to clinch the win.

17:03: A semifinal for Yasmani ACOSTA (CHI) as he hangs on for a 2-1 win over Abdellatif MOHAMED (EGY) at 130kg. He will wrestle Lingzhe MENG (CHN) for a spot in the final

16:53: Teenager Sol Gum PAK (PRK) and a right shoulder injury prove too much for NISHA (IND), who can't hang on and is eliminated with a 10-8 loss at women's 68kg. Nisha was the dominant force, building up an 8-2 lead when she injured her shoulder during a Pak takedown. She could offer little resistance as Pak continued to score points until getting the winning takedown with 8 seconds left to earn a semifinal clash with Elor.

16:52: Lingzhe MENG (CHN) survived a second passivity call against himself to beat Mantas KNYSTAUTAS (LTU) 1-1 and enter the semifinal at 130kg in Greco-Roman

16:47: Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN), who ended the Tokyo Olympics in tears after losing to a Cuban in the Greco 60kg, showed no mercy for Kevin DE ARMAS (CUB) as he cruised to an 11-1 victory. Fumita gets three rolls from par terre in the first period, then finishes off the proceedings with a 4-point headlock throw in the second.

16:39: Three-time Asian medalist Mehdi MOHSEN NEJAD (IRI) makes short work of Abdelkarim FERGAT (ALG), reeling off a series of gut wrenches for a 9-0 victory in 1:48 at Greco 60kg.

16:40: Sabah SHARIATI (AZE) gets both the par terre to lead 2-0 against Alimkhan SYZDYKOV (KAZ). The Kazakh is then docked two points for his aggressive open hand. Shariati wins 4-0 to enter the semifinals against Lopez

16:37: Amit ELOR (USA) proves too much for Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL) and she's comfortably into the women's 68kg semifinals with an 8-0 victory. Elor gets two takedowns and a stepout in the first period, then adds an activity point and takedown in the second.  

16:35: Razvan ARNAUT (ROU) uses a nice arm drag for a first-period takedown, then adds a second 2-point in the second in a 4-2 win over Enes BASAR (TUR) at Greco 60kg. Basar used the over-the-top jump to score a late takedown, but the clock ran out before he completed a turn.

16:30: Mijain LOPEZ (CUB) and Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) in the 130kg quarterfinal. Lopez defeated the Iranian in the Tokyo Olympics. In Paris, he gets the first par terre advantage and, hold your breath, gets a turn from par terre to lead 3-0 at the break! What a moment in the match. Three minutes to wrestle. Mirzazadeh used a much more aggressive approach in the second period. Lopez is called for passivity and is now in par terre. Mirzazadeh needs a turn to take the criteria lead. Mirzazadeh wants to resume in standing. That strategy from Iran will need three points for a win. Lopez is still standing tall over Mirzazadeh. Mijain LOPEZ beats Mirzazadeh 3-1 and moves into the semifinal

16:27: Like her compatriot minutes before Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) needs a comeback to get by Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL) 8-3 at women's 68kg. Zhumanazarova trails 3-0 going into the second period when she hits a 4-point takedown, then tangles up Enkhsaikhan's legs and scores a pair of rolls. She will next face Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) for a place in the semifinals later tonight.

16:21: Two-time reigning world champion and top seed Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ), aiming to become his country's first-ever gold medalist, survives a tough first test from neighbor Aidos SULTANGALI (KAZ), scoring two takedowns in the second period for a 6-3 win at Greco 68kg.

16:20: World bronze medalist Abdellatif MOHAMED (EGY) pins age-group world champion Muhammet BAKIR (TUR) at 130kg. He moves into the quarterfinals. But it's time for the big one. Lopez vs Mirzazadeh

16:16: World 65kg champion Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) needs just 32 seconds to get past Soleymi CARABALLO (VEN) 10-0 to start her quest for the women's 68kg gold after missing out on Japan's place at her usual weight at 62kg.

16:14: Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR) spotted former world champion Linda MORAIS (CAN) an early takedown, but came back with three of her own in the second period for an 8-2 victory at women's 68kg. 

16:10: Yasmani ACOSTA (CHI) hangs on to a 1-1 win over Kiril MILOV (BUL) at 130kg. Acosta got the passivity advantage in the second period which was enough for him to win 1-1. Milov, a regular at 97kg, moved to 130kg after Bulgaria was awarded a quota.

16:07: World bronze medalist Liguo CAO (CHN) hits a 4-point throw from par terre in the second period to secure a 6-2 victory over Moamen MOHAMED (EGY) at Greco 60kg. Cao was trailing 2-1 when he received the passivity point with 1:47 left to put him ahead on criteria, but sealed the deal with his big throw at the edge.

16:01: World bronze medalist Koumba LARROQUE (FRA), urged on by a loud partisan crowd in the Champs de Mars Arena, scores two takedowns in the first period and one in the second in a 6-0 victory over Tayla FORD (NZL).

15:59: Mantas KNYSTAUTAS (LTU) gets the par terre and never allows to Oussama ASSAD (MAR) to defend. He scores four turns and wins 9-0 to enter the quarterfinals at 130kg in Greco-Roman.

15:55: Raiber RODRIGUEZ (VEN) gives South America a rare victory by holding on to defeat two-time world medalist Murad MAMMADOV (AZE) 6-5 at Greco 60kg. Rodriguez, helped by a leg penalty, leads 6-1 before Mammadov scores a takedown with :45 left and adds a gut wrench to cut the gap to 1. Rodriguez then squirms out of a late takedown attempt to clinch the win and a place in the quarterfinals.

15:55: Lingzhe MENG (CHN) has a good warmup win over Jello KRAHMER (GER) at 130kg. He moves into the quarterfinals with a 4-1 win.

15:48: Sol Gum PAK (PRK) showed again how her country's wrestlers can never be underestimated when she outdueled former world champion Irina RINGACI (MDA) in a 10-6 thriller at women's 68kg. The two traded takedowns throughout the bout and Ringaci led 6-4 when Pak went ahead on criteria with a takedown with :58 left. She then put the matter to rest with a late 4-point takedown.

15:42: Alimkhan SYZDYKOV (KAZ) with a takedown in the second period to beat Alin ALEXUC CIURARIU (ROU) 3-1 at 130kg. Both exchanged passivity points but Syzdykov kept the pressure up and got the takedown with just over a minute left in the bout.

15:39: World bronze medalist Islomjon BAKHRAMOV (UZB) gets started at Greco 60kg with a comfortable 9-0 victory over Refugee Team member Jamal VALIZADEH (EOR). Bakhramov was just unstoppable with his gut wrenches from par terre in ending the match at 3:52.

15:37: Asian bronze medalist NISHA (IND) bounces back after giving up an early 4-point takedown to Tatiana SOVA RIZHKO (UKR) at women's 68kg, scoring two takedowns in the second period for a 6-4 victory. Sova Rizhko used a nice reverse headlock-back trip combination for her 4 points. 

15:32: Victor Ciobanu (MDA), the 2021 world champion who finished fifth at the Tokyo Olympics, falls at the first stage at Greco 60kg to Se Ung RI (PRK). From par terre, Ciobanu gets a reverse lock and pulls Ri back and over his head for 2, but Ri responds with a front headlock roll for 4 that was originally given 2 but upgraded on a challenge. Ri then catches Ciobanu when he tries the desperation over-the-head jump, throws him to his back and records the fall with 1:02 left.

15:30: Two veterans at 130kg. 2012 London Olympic silver medalist Heiki NABI (EST) and Rio bronze medalist Sabah SHARIATI (AZE) on Mat C. Nabi gets the first par terre advantage and leads 1-0. Shariati gets the par terre in the second and leads 1-1 on criteria. Shariati maintains the lead and wins 1-1 on criteria

15:22: Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL) pulls a surprise at women's 68kg, knocking off Zagreb Open champion Feng ZHOU (CHN) 10-3. Choluj uses a beautiful fireman's carry to take a 4-1 lead into the second period. The match hits a key point when Choluj gets in deep for a takedown and Zhou tries a counter lift. That gives both 2 points, but Choluj rolls through it and lands on top for 2 more to go ahead 8-3. 

15:22: Four-time Olympic champion Mijain LOPEZ (CUB) sets up a quarterfinal against world champion Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) at 130kg. He looks formidable in his 7-0 win over Seungchan LEE (KOR).

15:13: Beginning the action at Greco 60kg on Mat A, Enes BASAR (TUR) puts together an amazing rally to defeat Georgij TIBILOV (SRB) 8-7 in a battle of the world 63kg bronze medalists. Tibilov storms to a 7-0 lead in the first period, but Basar turns the tide in the second, scoring a takedown and gut wrench, then getting another gut wrench from par terre. An unsuccessful challenge of a late takedown attempt gives Basar his final point.

15:12: The women's 68kg competition gets started on Mat B with a clash of reigning world champions. Amit ELOR (USA), the gold medalist at 72kg, had little problem putting away the top-seed and world 68kg champion Buse TOSUN (TUR), scoring four takedowns in a 10-2 victory.

15:09: World champion Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) gets his first win as he beats Adam COON (USA) with no trouble. He scores a turn from par terre to lead 3-0 at the break. Coon gets the par terre in the second period but no turn for him. Mirzazadeh wins 3-1 and enters the quarterfinals.

15:00: Wresting at the 2024 Paris Games could not have had a better story to follow on day one. Mijain LOPEZ (CUB) is going for his fifth Olympic gold medal at the Olympics. No athlete has done that before.