Pan American Championships

USA brings five past freestyle World medalists to Pan American Championships

Wednesday, May 2, 2018 - 21:11 By Taylor Miller

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James Green, 2017 Pan Am champion

LIMA, Peru – The men’s freestyle Pan American bracket will be full of talent, including eight Senior World medalists—five of which are from the United States. The 2018 Pan American Championships will take place this week, May 3-6, in Lima, Peru, starting with Greco-Roman competition May 3-4, followed by women’s freestyle May 4-5 and men’s freestyle May 5-6.

USA athletes highlighting the men’s freestyle field are 2016 World champion Logan STIEBER at 65 kg, two-time World medalist James GREEN at 70 kg, Olympic and World bronze medal winner J’den COX at 92 kg, 2017 World silver medalist Thomas GILMAN at 57 kg and 2017 World bronze medalist Nick GWIAZDOWSKI at 125 kg.

Of these five, only one has one a Pan American championship, which was Green, who won at 70 kg in 2017.

The U.S. is also bringing along two-time Junior World champion Mark HALL at 79 kg.

In search of their first Pan Am titles, Stieber and Gilman will have to go through past World medalists. Awaiting Stieber at 65 kg is 2017 World bronze winner Alejandro Enrique VALDES TOBIER (CUB), while Gilman will have reigning U23 World champion Reineri ANDREU ORTGEA (CUB) in his bracket at 57 kg.

Valdes Tobier has collected three Pan Am gold medals (2010, 2013 and 2014).

Another Cuban World medalist in the mix is three-time World medalist and 2016 Olympic top-five placer Reneris SALAS PEREZ (CUB). Salas Perez, who owns World silvers from 2013 and 2014 and a bronze from 2010, has won four Pan American Championship titles and seeks his first since 2014. He won the Pan Am Games in 2015.

At 86 kg, Yurieski TORREBLANCA QUERALTA (CUB) looks to defend his 2017 title. He also won gold in 2015.

Two other past Pan American champions represent Cuba, counting Yurieski TORREBLANCA QUERALTA, who won in 2015 and 2017 at 86 kg, and Livan LOPEZ AZCUY, who was victorious in 2016 at 86 kg. Torreblanca is expected to compete at 86 kg and Lopez Azcuy will wrestle at 74 kg.

2011 World silver medalist Franklin GOMEZ MATOS (PUR), who will compete at 74 kg, aims for his second Pan American title. His last came in 2011. That same year, he claimed gold at the Pan Am Games.

Other notable freestylers include 2017 Commonwealth Games bronze winner Jordan Steen at 97 kg and two-time Commonwealth Games medalist Korey Jarvis at 125 kg.

WOMEN’S FREESTYLE, May 4-5

In women’s freestyle, the 62 kg bracket is the weight to watch as it features three World medalists across all age-groups.

Leading the way is Jackeline RENTERIA CASTILLO (COL), who is a two-time Olympic bronze medalist, winning in 2008 and 2012. Most recently, she captured bronze at the 2017 World Championships in Paris, France. Renteria Castillo enters her eighth Senior Pan Ams in search of her fifth championship.

Looking to challenge the Colombian are Kayla MIRACLE (USA) and Linda MORAIS (CAN). Miracle is a two-time Junior World bronze medalist, while Morais won ­­the 2016 University World gold, followed bronze at the 2016 Senior World Championships shortly after.

Also in the mix at 62 kg is Yaquelin ESTORNELL ELIZASTIGUE (CUB), a five-time Pan Am medalist and 2013 Pan Am champion.

Other weights that will see multiple World medalists fight for the crown are 68 kg and 76 kg.

Starring in the 68 kg weight class is Yudari SANCHEZ RODRIGUEZ (CUB), who grabbed two World medals in 2017, counting a Junior World silver and a U23 World bronze. Also at 68 kg is Dailane GOMES DOS REIS (BRA), a two-time World Military bronze winner.

Three-time World champion Adeline Gray is the headliner at 76 kg. Gray won World titles in 2013, 2014 and 2015. An injury kept her out of the 2017 Worlds. Gray is making her first trip to the Pan American Championships.

2017 U23 World silver medalist Gracelynn DOOGAN (CAN) will also seek her first Pan Am gold this week.

The only reigning Pan Am champion expected to enter the competition is Becka LEATHERS (USA). The 2017 World bronze medalist seeks to hold onto her 2017 Pan Am crown at 55 kg.

GRECO-ROMAN, May 3-4

Yasmani ACOSTA FERNANDEZ (CHI) and Oscar PINO HINDS (CUB) are both 2017 World bronze medalists, who will fight for a Pan American title at 130 kg. Pino Hinds won last year’s 130 kg title, defeating Acosta Fernandez in the finals.

Not to be counted out at heavyweight is Robert SMITH (USA), who took bronze at last year’s event and has two top-five finishes at Senior Worlds.

Cuba also brings two other World medalists to the Greco field, including Ismael BORRERO MOLINA at 67 kg and Yasmany Daniel LUGO CABRERA at 97 kg.

A 2016 Olympic champion and 2015 World champion, Borrero Molina also owns three Pan Am gold medals. His last came in 2014.

Lugo Cabrera looks to defend his 2017 title and earn his seventh Pan American championship. The Cuban’s resume is even more impressive with a 2016 Olympic silver and a 2009 Junior World gold to his name.

Another past Junior World champion competing in Greco is Kamal BEY (USA), who won the Junior crown last summer in Tampere, Finland. Bey will wrestle at 77 kg this week.

John YEATS (CAN) was the 2017 Junior Pan Am champion and will bump up to the Senior this level, looking to contest at 77 kg. Also bumping up after a 2017 championship run at the Junior level is Joilson DE BRITO RAMOS JUNIOR (BRA), who is registered at 67 kg.

At 87 kg, reigning champion Benjamin PROVISOR (USA) will wrestle in hopes of defending his 2017 Pan Am title.

Schedule
Thursday, May 3
10:00 a.m. – Greco-Roman Qualification Rounds and Repechage (55, 60, 63, 67, 72, 97, 130 kg)
5:30 p.m. – Opening Ceremony
6:00 p.m. – Greco-Roman Medal Matches (55, 60, 63, 67, 72, 97, 130 kg) 

Friday, May 4
10:00 a.m. – Greco-Roman Qualification Rounds and Repechage (77, 82, 87kg) and Women’s Freestyle Qualification Rounds and Repechage (55, 59, 65 kg)
6:00 p.m. – Greco-Roman Medal Matches (77, 82, 87kg) and Women’s Freestyle Medal Matches (55, 59, 65 kg) 

Saturday, May 5
10:00 a.m. –Women’s Freestyle Qualification Rounds and Repechage (50, 53, 57, 62, 68, 76 kg) and Men’s Freestyle Qualification Rounds and Repechage (79, 92 kg)
6:00 p.m. – Women Freestyle Medal Matches (50, 53, 57, 62, 68, 76 kg) and Men’s Freestyle Medal Matches (79, 92 kg) 

Sunday, May 6
10:00 a.m. –Men’s Freestyle Qualification Rounds and Repechage (57, 61, 65, 70, 74, 86, 97, 125 kg)
6:00 p.m. – Men’s Freestyle Medal Matches (57, 61, 65, 70, 74, 86, 97, 125 kg)

 

 

 

 

#WrestleTirana

Ghasempour buries ghosts of past to win Tirana gold; Yoshida stuns Snyder

Thursday, February 27, 2025 - 20:14 By Vinay Siwach

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TIRANA, Albania (February 27) -- "Today when I was standing on the podium, I remembered it."

Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) replays the match in his mind as he speaks. He remembers the move and the loss clearly. At the World Championships in October last year, Ghasempour was four seconds away from upsetting Abdulrashid SADULAEV (UWW) but the latter pulled off an incredible move to beat Ghasempour in the semifinal. While Sadulaev won the gold, Ghasempour returned empty-handed after losing his bronze-medal bout to David TAYLOR (USA).

Ghasempour may not be able to completely erase the memories of that loss with the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series gold medal he won on Thursday, but he says it will help him move on.

"Last year, in this very hall, it was a very bad scene for me," Ghasempour said. "Even today when I was standing on the podium, I remembered it. I should have gone to the Championship podium [at the World Championships]. The regret remained. But well, it's wrestling, and that's part of the events in sports. I tried to forget it and continue on my path."

On Thursday, Ghasempour returned to Tirana at 92kg and showed once again why he is one of the best at 92kg in the world. Wrestling in three bouts, he did not give up a single point [28-0], and scored two technical superiority wins including the final.

"The competition went well," he said. "I was able to wrestle with three good opponents in this tournament and fortunately, I managed to achieve first place. The wrestler [in the final] was a good competitor. I had watched his matches beforehand and planned well. My goal was to put on a good performance, and thankfully, I succeeded."

Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI)Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) sees off Alan BAGAEV (UWW) in the 92kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

In his first bout against world silver medalist Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO), Ghasempour ran to an 8-0 lead before moving to defense. He then gut-wrenched Feyzulla AKTURK (TUR) and in the final, he broke Alan BAGAEV (UWW) with ease to win with two minutes remaining.

"I've been wrestling in the 92 kg weight class for several years," he said. "Despite that unfortunate result [last year], this arena was a good field for me. I'm trying to increase my readiness and participate in the next competitions."

Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI)Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) defeated Zelimkhan KHIZRIEV (UWW) 10-0 in the 125kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Paris Olympic silver medalist Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) added a second gold medal to Iran's tally on Thursday as he defeated Zelimkhan KHIZRIEV (UWW) in the 125kg final.

Leading up to the final Zare, who had his elbow tapped, looked shaky in his movements on the mat but come the final, he made sure Khizriev wasn't much of a problem.

Zare scored a step out to open the final and then got a point for Khizriev's passivity. A takedown and turn later, Zare was up 6-0 and by the break, Zare had Khizriev struggling with conditioning. As soon as the second period began, Zare was not having any of Khizriev's flamboyance and scored a takedown and a gut to finish it in no time.

Arash YOSHIDA (JPN)Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) blocks an attack from Erfan ALIZADEH (IRI) in the 97kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostandin Andonov)

A third Iranian wrestler could have won gold medal but Arash YOSHIDA (JPN), who had perhaps his biggest day in international wrestling, denied Erfan ALIZADEH (IRI) in the 97kg final.

Yoshida led 1-1 on criteria at the break in the final after he scored the stepout after Alizadeh's stepout. In the second period, Yoshida got the point for Alizadeh's passivity and then scored a stepout to lead 3-1 with 90 seconds left on the clock.

Alizadeh managed to score a stepout with seven seconds on the clock but Yoshida closed it out to win 3-2 to cap off a remarkable day of wrestling for him.

"I can say that it was a great day because I won at 97kg category," Yoshida said.

Arash YOSHIDA (JPN)Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) scores a takedown against Kyle SNYDER (USA). (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

This final, however, was not Yoshida's biggest win of the day. Earlier in the semifinals, he defeated former world and Olympic champion Kyle SNYDER (USA) 5-5, his biggest win of the career.

Yoshida, however, dismissed that.

"That was kind a win by luck," he said. "Good technique at good timing but it was by chance I think."

Yoshida, who seems small for 97kg, was in all sorts of trouble for five minutes and 30 seconds of the match. Snyder clearly overpowered Yoshida and scored a takedown on the edge and as Yoshida was trying to sneak out of the hold, Snyder scored a pushout, all while Yoshida was on activity time.

Snyder led 4-0 before giving up a stepout and as both wrestlers maintained the intensity in the second period, Snyder's strength and positioning didn't let Yoshida get his on his attacks.

However, Yoshida managed to get a cut-back and a turn to lead 5-5 on criteria with 30 seconds on the clock. Despite Snyder's efforts, Yoshida managed to remain in contact and not get scored on to complete a top-class win.

"I compete in Bulgaria. I tried my best to prepare perfectly for this tournament also, but yeah I can say I still have tiredness from that," he said.

Despite the win over Snyder, Yoshida will continue training in his usual style to remain calm for big tournaments.

"I train like I always do," he said. "When I’m preparing for tournaments I become nervous but I think it’s important to do usual things to keep calm"

 

At 79kg, Gadzhimurad ALIKHMAEV (UWW) managed a perfect final to beat Paris Olympian Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO), 4-1, and claim the gold medal.

Alikhmaev as wrestling only at the his second Ranking Series event of the career, having wrestling last at the Yasar Dogu in 2022. Since, he has been out of action for three years.

Japan dominated Women's Wrestling as usual winning two golds on offer on Thursday.

Umi ITO (JPN), who suffered her first international loss at the U23 World Championships in Tirana last year, made sure she took home better memories, winning the gold medal at 50kg.

Wrestling Paris Olympian Oksana LIVACH (UKR) in the final, Ito needed just 33 seconds to get a 10-0 technical superiority win, her fourth of the day.

Barring the quarterfinal against Nadezha SOKOLOVA (UWW) who threw Ito for a four-pointer using a headlock, the Japanese was in complete control of her bouts.

"In October, I lost at the U23 World Championships in Tirana and I felt extremely frustrated," Ito said. "But I'm very happy to be able to talk about that frustration on the same stage. After the U23s ended, I learned that I make small mistakes and give chances to my opponents, and that those kind of mistakes can affect the outcome of a match."

Despite her impeccable record internationally, Ito has not representated Japan at the senior World Championships as she is stuck behind Yui SUSAKI (JPN) and Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN).

"Both Sasaki and Yoshimoto are opponents I have to defeat in order to participate in the Olympics," she said. "I believe that if I don't win at home first, we won't be able to win at the World Championships. So even after I return to Japan, I'll continue to practice and overcome the challenges so that I can win the Meiji Cup next June."

Haruna MURAYAMA (JPN)Haruna MURAYAMA (JPN) defeated Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (UWW) in the 55kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Japan won its second gold medal in Women's Wrestling through three-time world champion Haruna MURAYAMA OKUNO (JPN) defeated Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (UWW) 5-0 in the 55kg final.

She opened the day on a slow note, winning only 2-0 against Karla GODINEZ (CAN) but blanked former world silver medalist Oleksandra KHOMENETS (UKR) 10-0.

In the final, Khoroshavtseva was cautioned when Maruyama scored a stepout. With a 2-0 lead, Maruyama was content to keep the lead but Khoroshavtseva used open hands on the face and was cautioned again which gave one more point to the Japanese. A takedown late in the bout made it 5-0 for Maruyama.

RESULTS

Freestyle

79kg
GOLD: Gadzhimurad ALIKHMAEV (UWW) df. Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO), 4-1

BRONZE: Ahmad MAGOMEDOV (MKD) df. Evan WICK (USA), via inj. def.
BRONZE: Khidir SAIPUDINOV (BRN) df. Hayk PAPIKYAN (ARM), 5-2

92kg
GOLD: Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) df. Alan BAGAEV (UWW), 11-0

BRONZE: Michael MACCHIAVELLO (USA) df. Ahmed BATAEV (BUL), 3-1
BRONZE: Feyzullah AKTURK (TUR) df. Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO), via inj. def.

97kg
GOLD: Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) df. Erfan ALIZADEH (IRI), 3-2

BRONZE: Kyle SNYDER (USA) df. Dato PIRUZASHVILI (GEO), 10-0
BRONZE: Magomedgadji NUROV (MKD) df. Batyrbek TSAKULOV (SVK), 4-0

125kg
GOLD: Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) df. Zelimkhan KHIZRIEV (UWW), 10-0

BRONZE: Kamil KOSCIOLEK (POL) df. Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO), 4-0
BRONZE: Dzianis KHRAMIANKOU (UWW) df. Hakan BUYUKCINGIL (TUR), via inj. (8-6)

Women's Wrestling

50kg
GOLD: Umi ITO (JPN) df. Oksana LIVACH (UKR), 10-0

BRONZE: Nadezhda SOKOLOVA (UWW) df. Katie DUTCHAK (CAN), 10-0
BRONZE: Erin GOLSTON (USA) df. MEIDUOLAJI (CHN), 4-2

55kg
GOLD: Haruna MURAYAMA (JPN) df. Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (UWW), 5-0 

BRONZE: Ekaterina VERBINA (UWW) df. Mariana DRAGUTAN (MDA), 10-0
BRONZE: Oleksandra KHOMENETS (UKR) df. Karla GODINEZ (CAN), 3-1