#GuatemalaCityWrestle

Rosillo de Cuba Busca su Segundo Oro Panamericano de 2019

By Taylor Miller

Hace dos meses, Gabriel ROSILLO KINDELAN (CUB) ganó el oro en el Campeonato Panamericano de Mayores en 97 kg en grecorromana. Derrotó un luchador experimentado de los Estados Unidos por el título. Y hoy tiene que hacer lo mismo.

Hoy Rosillo está compitiendo en el Campeonato Panamericano Juvenil en la Ciudad de Guatemala, su primera competición de nivel juvenil.

Él sigue ganando en grande, pero hay algo un poco diferente esta vez.

“Hoy me siento bien. No tengo tanta presión porque en Argentina en el Panamericano de Mayores, hubo mucha presión,” dijo Rosillo. “Yo solo tengo 20 años y hoy, no hay ninguna presión.”

Rosillo ha dominado la competencia. De sus cuatro combates hasta el momento, él solo ha luchado menos de 3 minutos en total.

Su victoria más rápida llegó en las semifinales, donde derrotó a Juan CANTILLO TORRES (PAN), 8-0, en 17 segundos.

Por el oro, Rosillo se enfrentará a Braxton AMOS (USA). Ya venció a Amos en la primera sesión de acción, 10-0, en solo 40 segundos, pero se volverán a encontrar esta noche.

Rosillo ya tiene una medalla de oro del Campeonato Panamericano de Mayores de 2019 y también una medalla de bronce del Campeonato Panamericano de Mayores de 2018.

Mira el torneo en vivo en unitedworldwrestling.org. Las finales comienzan a las 6 p.m. CST

2026 World Championships

Yazdani Interview: 'Changing Weight Classes Difficult, But Ready for 97kg Challenge'

By

- By Amirreza ALIASGARI

KEMRAN, Iran (July 19) -- Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) made his eighth World Championships for Iran on Friday after beating Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI), 4-2 and 5-3, in two straight matches at 97kg.

In 2015, Yazdani was at 70kg and won a silver medal at his debut World Championships. For a decade, he spent his wrestling career at 86kg, winning two Olympic silver medals, three world titles, two world silver and one bronze medal.

Now at 97kg after two shoulder surgeries, a 31-year-old Yazdani is adjusting to the new weight class. As he returns to the World Championships after three years, Yazdani will be chasing his eighth medal and fourth title.

After making the Iran team for the World Championships, to be held in Astana from October 24 to November 1, Yazdani spoke to United World Wrestling about the challenges of 97kg, returning to the World Championships and how his body is holding up.

Excerpts:

- How are you feeling physically after the two tough matches?

Yazdani: I’ve improved in some areas, especially when it comes to my breathing and conditioning. But we didn’t really have enough time to focus on strength training, so we worked on that a bit less than we wanted to. With the time that’s left until the World Championships, I’m going to do everything I can to get myself in the best shape possible and be even better prepared.

- How prepared were you for the wrestle-off against Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI)?

Yazdani: For these competitions, I’d say I was about 70 percent ready. It’s hard to be 100 precent prepared for a tournament like this, but by the time the World Championships come around, I’ll definitely be in better shape and more prepared.

- What are your thoughts on competing at 97kg, a weight class that may have four Olympic champions in Astana?

Yazdani: The 97kg weight class is new for me, and of course I have new opponents now. It’s quite different from 86kg. I hope I can put on a good performance in this weight class as well. There are a lot of great champions here, and I hope I get the chance to wrestle against them, challenge myself, and show my best wrestling at the World Championships.

- But will it be challenging for your to be at the top at this weight class?

Yazdani: I already knew how many top wrestlers compete in this weight class. Considering my physical condition, I decided last year to move up to 97kg. Since it’s also an Olympic weight class, I wanted to make the move early so I’d have enough time to fix any weaknesses and adapt before the Olympics. My goal is to be at my very best for both the Olympics and the World Championships, which are just as important.

I wanted to move up sooner so I could get comfortable in this weight class as quickly as possible. Once you get to around 30 years old, things naturally become a little more difficult, and changing weight classes isn’t as easy as it used to be. There are definitely challenges at 97kg, and I’ve thought about all of them. Hopefully, I’ll be able to put on my best performance and come away with a great result.