South American Games Preview

Tuesday, October 11, 2022 - 15:06 By United World Wrestling Press

ASUNCION, Paraguay (October 11) --- Wrestling at the 2022 South American Games kicks off October 12-14 in Paraguay's capital city, Asuncion.

A total of 12 countries and 112 athletes will be participating in Asuncion.

The South American Games are the most important event for the region and mark the beginning of the Olympic cycle for most participating countries.

Greco-Roman begins October 12 with six returning champions from the 2018 Cochabamba Games looking to defend their titles.

Dicther HANS TORO (COL) is the favorite to grab gold at 60kg after winning the 2022 Bolivarian Games and claiming back-to-back Pan-American titles.

After winning South American silver in 2018, Hans Toro is on a quest to grab his first Games gold. He'll have to get through Joao BENAVIDES (PER) and Raiber RODRIGUEZ (VEN), who were silver and bronze-medal finishers in Valledupar, respectively.

Andres MONTAÑO (ECU), a two-time South American Games champion, will move up to 67kg. (Photo: Tony Rotundo)

The most crowded category of the style is 67kg.

Bolivarian Games gold medalist Andres MONTAÑO (ECU) will move to 67kg after spending most of his career down at 63kg.

Montano is a two-time South American Games champion, winning golds at 59kg at the '14 Santiago Games and 60kg at the '18 Cochabamba Games.

Montano will have to face Colombia's reigning Pan-American champion Julian HORTA, Venezuela's Shalon VILLEGAS (VEN) and Nilton SOTO (PER).

At 77kg, there will be a likely clash of South American champions.

Jair Alexis CUERO (COL) comes determined to retain his 77kg South American title obtained four years ago.

Cuero will share the bracket with two formidable challengers in Wuilexis RIVAS (VEN) and Joilson DE BRITO (BRA).

Rivas is the reigning Bolivarian Games champion, while De Brito has medaled at four consecutive Pan-American Championships after winning 67kg gold at the 2018 South American Games.

In the 87kg Noric-style bracket, Bolivarian Games opponents Carlos MUÑOZ (COL) and Luis AVENDAÑO (VEN) will likely meet for gold.

Munoz is the champion of the 2018 South American Games, while Avendano won gold at the 2019 Pan American Games.
GR 97

Luillys PEREZ (VEN) heads into Asuncion determined to repeat as South American Games champion. He comes into Paraguay fresh off winning gold at Valledupar.

Outside of Perez, rising star Igor QUEIROZ (BRA) is another guy to pay attention to at 97kg. Last year, he won the Pan-American Junior Games Cali-Valle.

World bronze medalist Yasmani ACOSTA (CHI) is favored to win at 130kg. (Photo: Gabor Martin)

In the heaviest category, the favorite to win the title is the well-known Yasmani ACOSTA (CHI).

Acosta, the Chilean representative of Cuban origin, handed Chile a gold medal in the previous South American Games.

As always, women's wrestling is expected to be electric, with many rivalries and faces that know each other very well. The style will take place on Wednesday, October 13.

Four athletes will compete for the gold medal in the lightest category of the women's style.

The current finalists of the '22 Bolivarian Games Jacqueline MOLLOCANA (ECU) and Mariana ROJAS (VEN) are looking to climb to the top of the podium.

U23 world champion Lucia YEPEZ (ECU) headlines the wome's wrestling entries. (Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

The favorite to win the gold at 53kg is "La Tigra," Lucia YEPEZ (ECU).

Yepez comes to these Games after reaching the top of the podium at the '21 U23 World Championships and finishing in fifth place at the 2022 Senior World Championships.

On the way to the gold, Yepez will have to face Betzabeth ARGUELLO (VEN) and Thalia MALLQUI (PER), who will move back up to 53kg for the first time since the 2020 Individual World Cup.

The most crowded category in women's wrestling is 57kg.

Brazil's two-time Pan-American champion Giullia PENALBER is looking to defend her Games title, but she'll have to take out Luisa VALVERDE (ECU) to do so.

This is Valverde's second appearance at 57kg. The first was in Valledupar where she won the gold medal.

This category also brings us young athletes with great possibilities to dispute medals, including Camila AMARILLA (ARG), Tatiana HURTADO (COL) and Antonia VALDES (CHI).

At 62kg, the favorites to meet for top spot are Lais NUNES (BRA) and Nathaly GRIMAN (VEN).

Nunes participated in three Ranking Series events and won a pair of medals. She also won gold at the Romanian Open and bronze at the Pan-American Championships in Acapulco.

Reigning Pan-Amerian champion Soleymi CARABALLO (VEN) headlines the 68kg field. (Photo: Osvaldo Aguilar)

In the 68kg bracket, 2018 South American finals opponents Soleymi CARABALLO (VEN) and the reigning Pan-American champion Yanet SOVERO (PER) are expected to clash for the title.

Their last meeting came at the Bolivarian Games, where Caraballo took the victory.

Valledupar medalists Tatiana RENTERIA (COL) (gold), Genesis REASCO (ECU) (silver) and Maria ACOSTA (VEN) (bronze) are all entered at 76kg.

Tatiana and Genesis will be the favorites to compete for the gold, while a dark hose to keep an eye on is Linda MACHUCA (ARG), a silver medalist at the 2022 Junior Pan-American Games.

The freestyle competition at the South American Games will take place on October 14 with six gold medals on offer. The competition will see 42 wrestlers in action.

The 57kg weight class will see Oscar TIGREROS (COL) who has had a great year winning gold at the Bolivarian Games and bronze at the Pan American Championship. He will be the favorite to take the gold although he will have to face the defending champion of the previous South American Games, Pedro MEJIAS (VEN) in 2018. In addition, two promising stars will also be competing for the top medal -- the U20 Pan-Am champion David ALMENDRA (ARG) and Enrique HERRERA (PER).

Tokyo Olympian Agustin DESTRIBATS (ARG) highlights the freestyle entries. (Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

At 65kg, Agustin DESTRIBATS (ARG) arrives as the favorite to win the title, seeking revenge after finishing second four years ago. He will have a chance to avenge the 2018 champion Wilfredo RODRIGUEZ. Also wrestling will be the always dangerous Uber CUERO (COL) and Sixto AUCCAPINA (PER).

The defending champion at 74kg Anthony MONTERO (VEN) will be returning for the gold. He has added the gold from the Bolivarian Games to his resume as well. To win the gold, he will have to face the young Brazilian Cesar ALVAN (BRA), who surprised a few by winning the bronze in Acapulco. The experienced Mauricio SANCHEZ (ECU), after taking the silver in Valledupar in the 65kg, moves up a category to look for another medal as he won bronze in 2018.

Pedro CEBALLOS (VEN) will be chasing history as the veteran arrives determined to take the gold medal, looking to become a three-time champion at the South American Games. He finished as the runner-up at the 2019 Pan-American Games in Lima and champion in the last edition of the Bolivarian Games.

Colombia will be represented by Carlos ANGULO who replaces Carlos IZQUIERDO.

Other athletes with a great chance to get on the podium are Ivan LLANO (ARG) who has silver at the previous edition at 74kg. Bronze medalist from 2018 Eduardo GAJARDO (CHI) and Jorge ANDY (ECU) are also in the fray.

The 97kg weight class will see the Nelson bracket with five wrestlers eyeing the top medal. Despite his five-year absence at the international level, Cristian SARCO (VEN) made his comeback at the Bolivarian Games, showing great form to take gold in Valledupar. He arrives in Asuncion looking to repeat his gold-medal performance. He will have to watch out for Ricardo BAEZ (ARG) and Chilean URIBE (CHI).

At 125kg, following the Nelson bracket, Jose DIAZ (VEN) is looking to position himself in the 125kg after taking bronze in this year's Pan-American Championships. In the Bolivarian Games, He won the silver medal in the Greco-Roman style.

Catriel MURIEL (ARG), who has been living for years in Makhachkala, Russia, arrived determined to stand in the way of Diaz's gold medal. Muriel also won the bronze medal at the last Pan-American Championship.

Entry list

GR 60kg
Erivan Constantino Rocha (BRA)
Pedro Maximiliano Gutierrez Urrutia (CHI)
Dicther Hans Toro Castañeda (COL)
Jeremy Renzo Peralta Gonzalez (ECU)
Nelson Daniel Ferreira (PAR)
Joao Marco Benavides Rochabrun (PER)
Raiber Rodriguez Orozco (VEN)

GR 67kg
Mauricio Alejandro Lovera (ARG)
Juan Carlos Villarroel Joffre (BOL)
Kenedy Anderson Moraes Pedrosa (BRA)
Cristóbal Alonso Torres Nuñez (CHI)
Julian Stiven Horta Acevedo (COL)
Andres Roberto Montaño Arroyo (ECU)
Lisandro Cabrera (PAR)
Nilton Gonzalo Marcos Soto Garcia (PER)
Shalon Villegas (VEN)

GR 77kg
Joilson De Brito Ramos Junior (BRA)
Jair Alexis Cuero Muñoz (COL)
Raymin Mir Hosseini (PAR)
Carlos Moises Espinoza Castro (PER)
Wuileixis Rivas Espinoza (VEN)

GR 87kg
Ronisson Brandao Santiago (BRA)
Carlos Andres Muñoz Jaramillo (COL)
Rene Rodriguez (PAR)
Luis Avendaño Rojas (VEN)
Pool Edinson Ambrocio Greifo (PER)

GR 97kg
Igor Fernando Alves De Queiroz (BRA)
Haner Armando Ramirez (COL)
Luis Fernando Gonzalez Cabrera (PAR)
Luillys Perez Mora (VEN)

GR 130kg
Marcos Paulo Barbosa Da Silva (BRA)
Yasmani Acosta Fernandez (CHI)
Rodolfo Waithe (PAN)
Pedro Tadeo Aguiar Campos (PAR)
Brayan Loyo Gonzalez (VEN)

WW 50kg
Katherine Avalos (PAR)
Nathaly Marilu Herrera Huacre (PER)
Mariana Rojas Diaz (VEN)
Jacqueline Del Rocio Mollocana Eleno (ECU)

WW 53kg
Gracyenne Helena Leite Alves (BRA)
Javiera Belen Ortega Fernandez (CHI)
Sandy Yalixa Parra (COL)
Lucia Yamileth Yepez Guzman (ECU)
Veronica Grenno (PAR)
Thalia Jihann Mallqui Peche (PER)
Betzabeth Arguello Villegas (VEN)

WW 57kg
Camila Agustina Amarilla (ARG)
Giullia Rodrigues Penalber De Oliveira (BRA)
Antonia Alejandra Valdes Arriagada (CHI)
Tatiana Hurtado Lerma (COL)
Luisa Elizabeth Valverde Melendres (ECU)
Samira Lezcano (PAR)
Yohelyn Valera Fernandez (VEN)
Veralucia Susano Justiniano (BOL)

WW 62kg
Andrea Yurani Gonzalez Gongora (COL)
Leonela Aleyda Ayovi Parraga (ECU)
Lourdes Mariana Velilla Cabrera (PAR)
Nathaly Griman Herrera (VEN)
Lais Nunes De Oliveira (BRA)
Veralucia Susano Justiniano (BOL)

WW 68kg
Thamires Martins Machado (BRA)
Chaneth Yorleny Simmonds Campos (PAN)
Pamela Boveda (PAR)
Yanet Ursula Sovero Niño (PER)
Mahealani Alexandra Ramirez Nobre (URU)
Soleymi Caraballo Hernandez (VEN)

WW 76kg
Linda Marilina Machuca (ARG)
Ruthy Hellen Pinhal Dos Santos (BRA)
Tatiana Renteria Renteria (COL)
Genesis Rosangela Reasco Valdez (ECU)
Maria Acosta Acosta (VEN)

FS 57kg
Hernan David Almendra (ARG)
Oscar Eduardo Tigreros Urbano (COL)
Richard Antonio García Andrade (PAN)
Enrique Armando Herrera Huacre (PER)
Pedro Mejias Rodriguez (VEN)

FS 65kg
Agustin Alejandro Destribats (ARG)
Marvin Chavez Claros (BOL)
Uber Euclides Cuero Muñoz (COL)
Wilfredo Steven López López (PAN)
Sebastian Maldonado (PAR)
Sixto Miguel Auccapiña Pedragas (PER)
Stephan Brunings (SUR)
Julian Andres Perez Conde (URU)
Wilfredo Rodriguez Bocaney (VEN)

FS 74kg
Lautaro Agustin Seghesso (ARG)
Cesar Bordeaux Rego Alvan (BRA)
Leon Juan Carlos Peralta Lanas (CHI)
Juan David Sanchez Cardona (COL)
Mauricio Javier Sánchez Saltos (ECU)
Ángel Eduardo Cortés Bonilla (PAN)
Pablo Vera (PAR)
Micha Willems (SUR)
Anthony Montero Chirinos (VEN)

FS 86kg
Jorge Ivan Llano (ARG)
Giovanni De Oliveira Gaion Piazza (BRA)
Eduardo Ivan Gajardo Meneses (CHI)
Carlos Hernan Angulo Murillo (COL)
Jorge Klever Andy Tiwi (ECU)
Ansony Torales (PAR)
Brisd Jahzeel Walttuony Rojas (PER)
Pedro Ceballos Fuentes (VEN)

FS 97kg
Ricardo Adrian Baez (ARG)
Matias Ignacio Uribe Sepulveda (CHI)
Miller Mondragon Arboleda (COL)
Max Linchevsky (PAR)
Cristian Sarco Colmenarez (VEN)

FS 125kg
Catriel Pehuen Muriel (ARG)
Guilherme Pradella Lima (BRA)
Marco Montiel (PAR)
Jose Diaz Robertti (VEN)
Orlando Arispe Jotty (PAN)

#WrestleAstana

Asian Championships day six finals set

Friday, April 14, 2023 - 04:23 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

ASTANA, Kazakhstan (April 14) -- The final day of the Asian Championships is here. Kazakhstan leads the team title race after two gold medals on Thursday. But others are not out of the race. Five weight classes -- 61kg, 74kg, 86kg, 92kg and 125kg -- will be in action.

WATCH LIVE | MATCH ORDER

The finals for the evening sessions are set

61kg - Minghu LIU (CHN) vs. Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ)

74kg - Kirin KINOSHITA (JPN) vs. Darkhan YESSENGALI (KAZ)

86kg - Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) vs Alireza KARIMI (IRI)

92kg - Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) vs. Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ)

125kg - Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) vs. Yusup BATIRMURZAEV (KAZ)

14:30: No better way to end the session! Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) was trailing Amirreza MASOUMI (IRI) 6-3 with 10 seconds remaining and he comes out with a trip and gets the four. He does fall off the platform but is safe. Masoumi challenges but the action began inside the zone and it is confirmed on review. Munkhtur into the final 8-7

14:28: A big back trip to a fall and Yusup BATIRMURZAEV (KAZ) is the host country's fourth finalist. The 2020 Asian champion is down 1-0 in the second period of a 125kg semifinal when he uses an inner leg trip to slam down Sardorbek KHOLMATOV (UZB) and end the match at 4:47.

14:17: Kazakhstan puts a third wrestler into the finals, and again at the expense of Bahrain. Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ) scores all of his points in the second period for a 6-1 win at 92kg over Magomed SHARIPOV (BRN). Down by a point in the second frame, Aitmukhan scores a takedown off a scramble, adds an activity point and stepout, then finishes up the win by countering a single and going behind for 2. The crowd loved it.

14:15: Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) breaks Ajiniyaz SAPARNIYAZOV (UZB) with a technical masterclass. Yoshida adds takedowns at consistent intervals and moves into the 92kg final with a 13-2 win.

14:08: Alireza KARIMI (IRI) proves a bridge too far for a determined Hayato ISHIGURO (JPN), advancing to the 86kg final and showdown with Dauletbekov with a 9-2 victory. Karimi gets all the points he will need in the first period, scoring a takedown and a stepout. In the second period, he gets in on a single, where he fights off a counter-lift attempt for 2. Ishiguro is not done yet, and gets behind and takes Karimi down for 2. In the final seconds, Karimi fends off a throw attempt with a 4-point tackle.

14:05: Defending champion Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) is a crowd favorite and they can't stop cheering as he moves into the 86kg final with a 10-0 technical superiority over Bobur ISLOMOV (UZB). A strong gut wrench there from Dauletbekov.

13:57: Darkhan YESSENGALI (KAZ) sends the home crowd wild by advancing to the 74kg final with a nail-biting 2-1 win over Magomedrasul ASLUEV (BRN) -- the same result and scoreline from their meeting two months ago in the repechage round at the Zagreb Open. Yessengali gets an activity point and stepout in the first period. Asluev pulls to within one with an activity point, but Yessengali fends off all of his attacks to seal the victory.

13:52: Kirin KINOSHITA (JPN) dominates Suldkhuu OLONBAYAR (MGL) 12-2 to reach the final at 74kg. He got to those single-leg attacks and made a figure 4 in the second period to get the technical superiority win.

13:46: Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ) is into the 61kg final with an entertaining 11-2 victory over Yasin REZAEIAGHOUZGOLEH (IRI). Each gets a stepout, then Zhumashbek Uulu gets Rezaeiaghouzgoleh's leg in the air, but the Iranian escapes with a backward counter roll, and gets a stepout to boot. But Zhumashbek Uulu comes right back with a 4-point backlift to go ahead 5-2. The second period is all Zhumashbek Uulu, as he adds a pair of takedowns and stepout. It was a similar result to their semifinal clash at the Zagreb Open, in which Zhumashbek Uulu won 18-6.

13:40: Minghu LIU (CHN) is into the 61kg final. He led 2-1 at the break against Sardor RUZIMOV (UZB) but worked a takedown to extend the lead. A lost challenge made it 5-1. Ruzimov tried a few attacks however Liu was confidently tackled them and won 8-2

The semifinals are underway.

13:02: Home favorite Darkhan YESSENGALI (KAZ) fills the final semifinal spot up for grabs in the session with a 4-0 victory over Adilet ZHAPARKULOV (KGZ) at 74kg.

12:58: In a stunner on Mat B, Magomedrasul ASLUEV (BRN) snatches a last-second 5-3 victory over Hossein ABOUZARI (IRI) in their 74kg quarterfinal. Abouzari had dominated and was leading 3-0 midway through the second period when Asluev cut the gap with a takedown. With the final seconds ticking down, Asluev put everything into turning the Iranian with a front body lock, and on the second try, got him over enough for a 2-point exposure. Iran challenged the call but it was upheld.

12:52: With the score tied 1-1 in the second period of their 74kg semifinal, Byungmin GONG (KOR) scores a 2-point exposure in a scramble, but Kirin KINOSHITA (JPN) works around for a reversal, then applies a lace lock to go ahead 4-3. The Japanese adds a takedown, and he's into the semifinals with a 6-3 win.

12:47: The host country puts another wrestler into the semifinals when Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ) scores a takedown and a pair of 2-point exposures in the second period to finish up a 14-3 technical fall over Mirlan CHYNYBEKOV (KGZ) at 92kg.

12:40: 2020 Asian champion Yusup BATIRMURZAEV (KAZ) fires up the home crowd when he uses a front lock body roll seconds into the match to turn Anirudh KUMAR (IND) over, then locks up his arms for a quick fall and a place in the 125kg semifinals.

12:35: What a match on Mat B! Young Arashi YOSHIDA (JPN) goes into the second period trailing 6-3 against Gankhuyag GANBAATAR (MGL) in their 92kg quarterfinal. The Japanese uses a beautiful switch for a takedown, but then loses a challenge to fall behind 7-5. Yoshida puts the pressure on and scores a takedown to tie the score, but still trails on criteria. With the Mongolian visibly tiring, Yoshida fights off a headlock throw attempt for the go-ahead takedown with 1:15 left and goes on to win 9-7.

12:34: Magomed SHARIPOV (BRN), looking to give Bahrain its second gold in two days, scores a takedown in each period and defeats Deepak PUNIA (IND) 5-0 to advance to the 92kg semifinals.

12:22: Alireza KARIMI (IRI) remains on a collision course for a gold-medal showdown with Azamat DAULTETBEKOV (KAZ), scoring two takedowns in the second period to complete a 10-0 technical fall in the 86kg quarterfinals over Zushen LIN (CHN).

12:25: World silver medalist Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) works up a 6-0 lead over BUHEEERDUN (CHN) at the break in the 125kg quarterfinal. Another takedown for the Mongolian to begin the second period before he adds a stepout. Another one to finish the bout 10-0

12:16: Reigning champion Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) begins defense of his 86kg title by taking just 39 seconds to chalk up a 10-0 technical fall over Weng CHOW (SGP). A takedown and four gut wrenches going back and forth, and Dauletbekov is into the semifinals.

12:13: Amirreza MASOUMI VALADI (IRI), who picked the world U20 and U23 titles last year, meets little resistance in cruising to a 10-0 technical fall in just under two minutes over Zyyamuhammet SAPAROV (TKM) to stake his place in the 125kg semifinals.

12:13: U23 world champion Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ) gets a tough one against Kodai OGAWA (JPN) at 61kg. However, he gives up only a passivity point in the 4-1 win.

12:10: Minghu LIU (CHN), the 2019 Asian silver medalist, breaks open a close match with Tuvshintulga TUMENBILEG (MGL) with a takedown and roll to open the second period, then adds a takedown for good measure for an 8-1 win that puts him into the 61kg semifinals.

12:04: Kirin KINOSHITA (JPN), an Asian junior silver medalist in 2014 looking for his first major senior medal, gets off to a good start with an 8-2 win over YASH (IND) to advance to the quarterfinals at 74kg. Kinoshita puts the match away with a pair of second-period takedowns.

11:47: Anirudh KUMAR (IND) gives up a late first-period takedown to fall behind on criteria against 2017 bronze medalist Taiki YAMAMOTO (JPN) in their qualification match at 125kg. No matter, as he scores three takedowns in the second period to take the match 8-2.

11:35: Doveltetmyrat ORAZGYLYJOV (TKM) leaves it just a little too late in his qualification match at 86kg with 2022 bronze medalist Bobur ISLOMOV (UZ). Trailing 10-4 with a minute left, Orazgylyjov scores a pair of takedowns, but ends up on the short end of a 10-8 decision.

11:32: What a moment for Arashi YOSHIDA (JPN)! The Japanese collegian, whose father is Iranian and runs the wrestling school where he got his start in the sport, is drawn against an Iranian in his international debut, and comes away with a 10-0 technical fall over Arashk MOHEBI (IRI). Yoshida scores all of his points on takedowns.

11:23: Three-time former Asian champion Alireza KARIMI (IRI), participating in his first major tournament since taking the world silver at 92kg in 2019, opens his campaign at 86kg with a 5-2 win over Gwanuk KIM (KOR). Karimi gets all of his points in the first period with an activity point, takedown and gut wrench. Kim gets in on a single in the second period, but the Iranian slips out to make it a stepout, plus one for fleeing.

11:15: Tuvshintulga TUMENBILEG (MGL), a world bronze medalist five years ago, makes the quarterfinals at 61kg with a close 3-1 win over Nurbolat ABDUALIYEV (KAZ).

11:11: Deepak PUNIA (IND), the silver medalist a year ago at 86kg, starts off with a nifty 4-point arm throw against Xiao SUN (CHN) in their qualification match at 92kg. He adds a pair of double-leg takedowns and he's into the quarterfinals with an 8-1 victory.

11:00: Welcome to Astana as we wrap up the Asian Championships with the final day of action-packed competition. The tournament concludes with the final five weight classes in freestyle, 61kg, 74kg, 86kg, 92kg and 125kg. Local star Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) at 86kg is the lone reigning champion back to defend his title.

South American Games Preview

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Asian Championships day six finals set