#WrestleFaenza

Russian Women Outscore Finals Opponents 25-2, Wins Trio of Day 4 Titles

By Eric Olanowski

FAENZA, Italy (June 20) – The Russian Federation capped off the fourth day of wrestling at the Cadet European Championships with women’s wrestling medals in all five weight classes, three of which were golds, and racked up an 18-2 record. Maybe more impressive, their two losses came against the eventual European champions. Russia (110 points) holds a 36-point lead over Ukraine (74 points) heading into the final day of women’s wrestling. 

Four Russian women competed in Day 4 gold-medal matches, but Amina TANDELOVA, Ekaterina GLUKHAREVA, and Olga KOZYREVA walked away as European champions. 

Angelina PERVUKHINA finished with a silver medal, while Olga REKHMETULLOVA (RUS) was able to fight back after her opening round loss to win a bronze medal. 

Amina Tandelova gave the most dominant wrestling nation in the world their first Day 4 gold medal. She picked an opening period takedown, a pair of second-period takedowns, and defeated Krystyna SOKOLOVSKA (UKR), 6-0 in the 57kg gold-medal match. 

Tandelova’s first takedown came from a high crotch in the first period, but that wasn’t her most impressive move of the period. She did a beautiful job sitting out and boot-scooting to stop a Ukrainian go behind before the first period ended and carried the 2-0 lead into the final two minutes of the match.  

In the second period, a counter-offensive go-behind and a takedown as time expired helped Tandelova improve on her runner-up finish from last year with a 6-0 shutout victory. 

Ekaterina GLUKAREVA (RUS) bullied her way past a frustrated Veronica BRASCHI (ITA), 6-0 in the 65kg finals. (Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

Russia’s second 25-point gold-medal winner was Ekaterina Glukhareva who bullied her way past a clearly frustrated Veronica BRASCHI (ITA) in the 65kg finals.

Glukhareva controlled the entire four-minute match with her left underhook, using it to pick up four stepouts and an inactivity point. Gluhareva tacked on two additional points with a defensive stop and handed Russia their second shutout win of the night. 

Olga KOZYREVA (RUS) celebrates after her 12-2 victory Jennifer ROESLER (GER) in the 73kg finals. (Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

Olga KOZYREVA (RUS) was two points away from handing Russia their third finals shutout but surrendered a takedown before ending the 73kg gold-medal match with a 12-2 victory over Jennifer ROESLER (GER).

Kozyreva kick-started the match with a snatch single and had the 2-0 lead, then tossed Roesler to her back with a four-point whip over. Kozyreva commanded the early 6-0 lead when she shot an outside double, came up to her feet and brought Roesler back down to the mat for the takedown. She started to celebrate, thinking the referees awarded four points, but instead, she was only given two points and had the 8-0 lead. 

Kozyreva gave up a takedown and carried the 8-2 lead into the final period, but it only took her 28 seconds in the second period to pick up the four points she needed to end the match. Kozyreva closed out the match with a 12-2 victory and improved on her eighth-place finish from the 2017 U15 European Championships.

The fifth day of wrestling in Faenza being tomorrow at 11:30 (local time) and can be followed live on www.unitedworldwrestling.org. 

RESULTS

43kg
GOLD - Aida KERYMOVA (UKR) df. Diana Tancheva PAVLOVA (BUL), via fall 
BRONZE - Olga REKHMETULLOVA (RUS) df. Zenfira HASHIMOVA (AZE), 15-4
BRONZE - Ana Maria NECHIFOR (ROU) df. Anna POLLAKOVA (SVK), via fall 

49kg 
GOLD - Rebekka MARCH (GER) df. Angelina PERVUKHINA (RUS), 6-1
BRONZE - Anastasiya YANOTAVA (BLR) df. Mariia TOMYSHCH (UKR), 3-2 
BRONZE - Natalia Edyta WALCZAK (POL) df. Vestina DANISEVICIUTE (LTU), 10-0

57kg
GOLD - Amina TANDELOVA (RUS) df. Krystyna SOKOLOVSKA (UKR), 6-0
BRONZE - Othelie Annette HOEIE (NOR) df. Roza SZENTTAMASI (HUN), 4-1 
BRONZE - Birgul SOLTANOVA (AZE) df. Maarja PLASER (EST), 8-2

65kg 
GOLD - Ekaterina GLUKHAREVA (RUS) df. Veronica BRASCHI (ITA), 7-0 
BRONZE - Yevheniia SIEDYKH (UKR) df. Nora Luca MAJOR (HUN), 4-1 
BRONZE - Zofia POLOWCZYK (POL) df. Daniela SIRBU (MDA), 4-0 

72kg 
GOLD - Olga KOZYREVA (RUS) df. Jennifer ROESLER (GER), 12-2 
BRONZE - Nazar BATIR (TUR) df. Maria Cristina ROSIORU (ROU), 8-1 
BRONZE - Julia FRIDLUND (SWE) df. Nerea IGLESIAS CAMPOS (ESP), via fall 

 

#WestleAcapulco

Pan-American Championships Preview

By Gaurav Bhatt

ACAPULCO, Mexico (February 20) --- The sun-soaked city of Acapulco, Mexico, gears up to host the Pan-American Wrestling Championships from February 21st to 24th, drawing the region's elite grapplers across Freestyle, Greco-Roman, and Women's Wrestling. 

The tournament precedes the Pan-American Olympic Qualifiers, which can have only those countries participating in the Pam-American Championships.

Let's delve deeper into each style and highlight some of the most anticipated clashes. 

Freestyle Wrestling

All eyes will be on world champions Kyle DAKE (74 kg) and Kyle SNYDER (97 kg), who will take the mat on Friday and Saturday. 

Dake can expect to run into four-time World medallist Geandry GARZON (CUB). Dake won the last contest between the two during his run for the repechage bronze at the Tokyo Olympics. The 74kg field also features two-time medallists Hernan GUZMAN (COL) and Cesar ALVAN (BRA).

In the 97kg category, Snyder can run into familiar foe Arturo TORRES (CUB). The 2016 Olympic champion Snyder is looking for his sixth gold at the Pan American Championships. Torres, meanwhile, will look to avenge his three defeats in the finals against Snyder — including in the gold-medal clash last year in Buenos Aires. 

The 74kg category will feature five-time medallist at the event Pedro MEJIAS (VEN), Pan-Am Games bronze medallist Osmany MARTINEZ (CUB), and Spencer LEE (USA) who makes his international debut as a three-time age group world champion.

Cuban Alejandro VALDES TOBIER will bring his experience to the mat in the 65kg category. The reigning Pan-Am Games champion and two-time world medallist — who lost last year’s final to John Michael DIAKOMIHALIS (USA) — will take on contenders such as three-time bronze medallist Agustín DESTRIBATS (ARG) and US senior world team member Nicholas LEE (USA). 

Elsewhere, Yurieski TORREBLANCA (CUB) will look to double up on his 86kg gold from last year.

CUBDefending champion Oscar PINO (CUB) is set to compete in Acapulco, with his sights set on winning a sixth Pan-Am title. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

Greco Roman

Oscar PINO (CUB) will be out to defend his Greco-Roman 130kg title in Acapulco. The 30-year-old is hunting for his sixth gold medal at the event to add to his four World medals. Cohlton Schultz (USA), who finished runner-up at the PanAm Games last November, would aim to halt the Cuban juggernaut.

Also on the quest for back-to-back golds are Americans Spencer WOODS and Kamal BEY, and Daniel HECHAVARRIA (CUB). 

Bey can expect to fight his 77kg nemesis, Yosvanys PENA FLORES  (CUB). In 2019, the Cuban defeated Bey in the Pan-Am Championships final before Bey edged Pena Flores for the 77kg crown in Buenos Aires last year. At the Pan-Am Games in November, Bey settled the score with a win over Pena Flores en route to the continental gold.

Woods, who took home the 82kg gold last year, has moved up a division to set up a potential clash with reigning 87kg gold medallist Hechavarria.

usaOlympic champion Helen MAROULIS (USA) headlines the women's wrestling entries. She'll wrestle at 57kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

Women’s wrestling

The women’s competition will be highlighted by world medallists from the U.S.: Helen MAROULIS (57 kg), Kayla MIRACLE (62 kg), Macey KILTY (65 kg), and Adeline GRAY (76 kg).

Six-time world champion Gray returns to the Pan American Championships looking to add to her collection of three gold medals at the event.

Maroulis, three-time world and 2016 Olympic champion, can run into some resistance from last year’s bronze medallist Angela Alvarez (CUB).

Kilty’s 65 kg opponents will include 2022 silver medallist Miki ROWBOTTOM(CAN), while Miracle can run into Maria SANTANA (CUB), who finished runner-up at the Pan Am Games. 

World medallist Diana WEICKER (CAN) will return to defend her 55kg title. 

Catch all the action from the Pan-American Championships live on UWW+.