#Fortaleza2018

Six U.S. Wrestlers in Position to Win Gold at #Fortaleza2018

Friday, August 17, 2018 - 20:19 By Taylor Miller

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Joilson de Brito Ramos Junior Brazil

FORTALEZA, Brazil – After the first session of Greco-Roman action, the United States have six wrestler contending for gold at the 2018 Junior Pan American Championships in Fortaleza, Brazil.

Nine of the day’s 10 weight classes were contested as round robins. Of those nine, four weights had six athletes, allowing for pool play, including 60 kg, 63 kg, 77 kg and 130 kg.

In the only eight-man bracket of the tournament, 2017 Senior and Junior Pan Am silver medalist Joilson DE BRITO RAMOS JUNIOR (BRA) moved to the 67 kg finals with a dominant performance, winning two matches by tech fall.

The host country favorite will take on Julian HORTA (COL), who won bronze in both styles at last year’s tournament.

Moving to the finals at 60 kg is 2017 Junior Pan Am bronze medalist Andre CORTES (COL) and 2015 Cadet Pan Am champion and 2016 Cadet Pan Am silver medalist Samuel UGALDE (MEX).

At 63 kg, Dylan GREGERSON (USA) advanced to the finals, defeating three-time Pan Am medalist and 2017 Junior Pan Am runner up Jose DAVILA CABELLO (PER) in the first round.

Meeting up with Gregerson in the finals is Irving SALAZAR (MEX), who won Cadet Pan Am medals in 2015 and 2016.

The 77 kg finals features another athlete from Mexico, 2015 Cadet Pan Am runner-up Hector RODRIGUEZ. He will take on Jhonny ARIAS (COL).

The finalists at 130 kg are Anthony CASSIOPPI (USA) and Paul MORALES (MEX).

At last year’s Junior Pan Ams, Cassioppi won gold in both freestyle and Greco-Roman. Morales is a 2016 Cadet Pan Am silver medalist.

At 55 kg, 2017 Junior World silver medalist Cevion SEVERADO (USA) defeated 2016 Cadet World silver medalist Nestor DELGADO (MEX) in the first round with a second-period pin.

Should he win his match tonight, he will claim gold at the weight class.

Leonard MERKIN (USA) completed his tournament this morning, going 4-0 at 72 kg. Regardless of tonight’s results with the remaining matches left at the weight, Merkin will be awarded gold.

One of the round-five bouts at 82 kg is a true championship bout as Jhon CARMONA (COL) and returning Junior Pan American champion Carlos ESPINOZA (PER), who each went 3-0 in the first session.

At 87 kg, should Cameron CAFFEY (USA) win his bout against Nicolas BAEZ (ARG), he will claim the crown.

Austin HARRIS (USA) has already sealed the gold medal at 97 kg, winning both of his matches in a three-man bracket.

The medal matches are set for 5 p.m. ET live on Trackwrestling.  

 

Pan-American Championships Day 3 Highlights

Saturday, May 9, 2026 - 15:13 By Eric Olanowski

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CORALVILLE, United States (May 9) -- The third day of wrestling at the Pan-American Championships will welcome in freestyle, while also closing out the final four weights in women's wrestling. The freestyle weights that'll take the mat today are 61kg, 74kg and 86kg, with the final women's weight being 53kg, 59kg, 65kg and 76kg.

12:28: We're going to start 30 minutes earlier than expected. The updated start time is 12:30 (local time)

12:13: That does it for the quarterfinals. We're expected to start at 13:00 but I imagine that'll change. I'll quickly run to see what they plan on doing then post an update shorty.

12:07: Welker just nearly took the roof off this place, scoring three takedowns, two turns and a stepout against Renteria to move into the semifinals. She'll wrestle another Paris 2024 bronze medalist in Marin in the semifinals as the Cuban picked up a 12-2 win in her quarterfinals.

11:53: A lot going on right now. Yepez Guzman just picked up a dominant 11-0 win over Cristelle Noelle RODRIGUEZ DOBLER (USA) and moved into the semifinals at 53kg. Also, Welkeer and Renteria are wrestling now on Mat A. The American is up 5-0 with a stepout and two counter-offenseive go behinds.

11:29: Paris 2024 Olympian Ethan Adrian RAMOS (PUR) is up now on Mat A. He's wrestling Angel Eduardo CORTES BONILLA (PAN).

11:23:  Zahid VALENCIA (USA) just made quick work of Nestor Joaquin TAFUR BARRIOS (COL), picking up the 10-0 first-period tech fall. The reigning world champion awaits the winner of Pedro Samuel GONCALVES DA SILVA (BRA) and Jorge Ivan LLANO (ARG).

11:08: Miki ROWBOTTOM (CAN) was just down 4-4 on criteria against Alexis GOMEZ (MEX) but stole the match with a double leg with 2.2 seconds left. Since 65kg is a smaller bracket, that win will give the Canadian at least a silver medal.

11:06: Iowa's own Austin James DESANTO (USA) is coming up next on Mat A. He'll take on Irie Alexander JACKSON (JAM).

10:56: On a side note, we're following the 76kg weight class for a mini documentary so make sure you stayed tuned into UWW+ over the next few weeks to watch the behind the scenes doc on the premier weight class of these Continental Championships.

10:50: Nestor TAFUR BARRIOS (COL) just picked up a win over on Mat A, which means he'll take on reigning world champion Valencia in seven matches on Mat A.

10:45: It's funny how things work. The two women's wrestlers who attended the opening press conference were world bronze medalist Kylie Renee WELKER (USA) and Tatiana RENTERIA (COL). Those two will will wrestle in the first round, 13 matches away (bout 180) on Mat A.

10:25: Today's action will feature two reinging world champions in Zahid VALENCIA (USA) and Genesis REASCO (COL), and three Paris 2024 Olympic medalists in Lucia YEPEZ GUZMAN (ECU), Milaimy MARIN (CUB) and Tatiana RENTERIA RENTERIA (COL).