#Fortaleza2018

USA Wins Greco-Roman Team Title with Six Champions at #Fortaleza2018

By Taylor Miller

FORTALEZA, Brazil – The United States claimed the Greco-Roman team title at the 2018 Junior Pan American Championships, claiming six gold medals on Friday in Fortaleza, Brazil.

Winning titles for the U.S. was 2017 Junior World silver medalist Cevion SEVERADO at 55 kg, Dylan GREGERSON at 63 kg, Lenny MERKIN at 72 kg, Cameron CAFFEY at 87 kg, Austin HARRIS at 97 kg and Anthony CASSIOPPI at 130 kg.

Cassioppi repeated as the 2017 Junior Pan American Greco-Roman champion, defending his 2017 title when he pinned Paul MORALES (MEX) early in the finals.

He was the tournament’s Outstanding Wrestler.

Also repeating a gold-medal performance was 2017 Junior Pan Am champion and 2018 Senior Pan Am runner-up Joilson DE BRITO RAMOS (BRA), who won the 67 kg bracket on Friday with a 10-1 finals win over 2017 Junior Pan Am bronze medalist Julian HORTA (COL).

Winning gold for Colombia was 2017 Pan Am bronze winner Andres Cortes, who outlasted Samuel UGALDE (MEX) with a 3-3 decision on criteria.

Mexico claimed multiple champions, striking gold at 77 kg with Hector RODRIGUEZ and at 82 kg with Alfredo DE STEFANO MUNOZ.

Overall, the U.S. won the team title with Mexico taking second and host Brazil finishing third.

Final results

55 kg
GOLD - Cevion SEVERADO (USA)
SILVER - Nestor DELGADO (MEX)
BRONZE- Luis MORALES (ECU)

60 kg
GOLD - Andres CORTES (COL)
SILVER - Samuel UGALDE (MEX)
BRONZE - Ricardo QUINONEZ (ECU)

63 kg
GOLD - Dylan GREGERSON (USA)
SILVER - Irving SALAZAR (MEX)
BRONZE - Jharold DE LA TORRE (ECU)

67 kg
GOLD - Joilson DE BRITO RAMOS (BRA)
SILVER- Julian Horta (COL)
BRONZE - Juan Palma (ECU)
BRONZE- Manuel Herrera (MEX)

72 kg
GOLD - Leonard MERKIN (USA)
SILVER - Evaristo HERNANDEZ (MEX)
BRONZE - Michael Nascimento (BRA)

77 kg
GOLD - Hector RODRIGUEZ (MEX)
SILVER - Jhonny ARIAS (COL)
BRONZE- Anthony MANTANONA (USA)

82 kg
GOLD - Alfredo DE STEFANO MUNOZ (MEX)
SILVER - Carlos ESPINOZA CASTRO (PER)
BRONZE - Jhon CARMONA ALCANTARA (COL)

87 kg
GOLD - Cameron CAFFEY (USA)
SILVER - Fabio CONCEICAO RODRIGUES (BRA)
BRONZE - Nicolas BAEZ (ARG)

97 kg
GOLD - Austin HARRIS (USA)
SILVER - Bryan CRUZ PALACIOS (PER)
BRONZE - Gabriel ROCHA DE LIRA (BRA)

130 kg
GOLD - Anthony CASSIOPPI (USA)
SILVER - Paul MORALES BOJORQUEZ (MEX)
BRONZE - Andrew GUNNING (PER)

 

#development

Saudi Arabia Organises Level 1 Coaching Course

By United World Wrestling Press

DAMMAM, Saudi Arabia (June 28) -- A United World Wrestling Level 1 Regional Coaches Course was successfully conducted at Al-Ettifaq Club in Dammam, Saudi Arabia, from May 16 to 20, 2026.

Organized by the Saudi Wrestling Federation, the five-day program brought together 36 participants, including 33 men and 3 women, representing Saudi Arabia and Egypt.

The course was delivered in a positive and collaborative atmosphere, with participants developing their coaching knowledge. Both theoretical and practical sessions were held using two wrestling mats, ensuring a balanced learning experience that combined classroom instruction with hands-on practice.

Moustafa ALAMELDIN (EGY)Former U20 world champion Moustafa ALAMELDIN (EGY), centre, at the course in Dammam. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

A notable participant was former U20 world champion in Greco-Roman Mustafa ALAMELDIN (EGY), whose participation added significant value to the course by sharing elite-level experience and inspiring fellow coaches. Several participants demonstrated exceptional potential and were identified as promising future coaches for Saudi Arabia and the wider Arab region.

The topics covered were self-reflection, risk management and safety with focus on coaching skills, teaching techniques, practice planning, anti-doping awareness, and the basic rules of wrestling. These subjects were designed to equip participants with the knowledge and practical skills required to support athlete development and promote safe, effective coaching practices.