#WrestleBuenosAires

World medalists Borrero Molina and Coon advance to finals at #WrestleBuenosAires

By Taylor Miller

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina – The finals for the first day of Greco-Roman action of the 2019 Pan American Championships have been set in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Featured in the finals is World and Olympic champion Ismael BORRERO MOLINA (CUB) and 2018 World silver medalist Adam COON (USA).

To get to the finals at 67 kg, Borrero Molina put together three wins, including a 7-4 win against two-time Junior Pan American champion Joilson DE BRITO RAMOS JUNIOR (BRA).

In the gold-medal final, he will face two-time Junior World bronze medalist and 2012 Olympian Ellis COLEMAN (USA).  

The other Senior-level World medalist, Coon, earned two pins at 130 kg to move on to the gold bout, where he will face Luciano DEL RIO (ARG).

Del Rio is the first finalist for his country since 2016 and looks to become the first Greco-Roman Pan Am champion for Argentina in the history of the event.

In the company of Coon and Coleman, several other USA wrestlers seek gold on Thursday night, including Max NOWRY at 55 kg, Ryan MANGO at 63 kg and G’Angelo HANCOCK at 97 kg.

The 55 kg and 63 kg weight classes will wrap up round-robin action tonight with Nowry and Mango as the frontrunners, respectively.

At 72 kg, RaVaughn PERKINS (USA) already won the gold medal, going 2-0 in a three-man bracket on Thursday morning. It is his second-straight Pan American title.

In addition to Borrero Molina, Cuba sent two others to the finals, Luis ORTA SANCHEZ and Gabriel ROSILLO KINDELAN.

Orta Sanchez will battle for gold at 60 kg against Samuel GURRIA VIGUERAS (MEX), while Rosillo Kindelan will face Hancock for the gold medal at 97 kg.

The finals are set for 5 p.m. local time (3 p.m. EST) live on unitedworldwrestling.org.

Finals pairings
55 kg – Round 3 matches
Joshua MEDINA (PUR) vs. Sargis KHACHATRYAN (BRA)
Marcelo TORRES (ARG) vs. Max NOWRY (USA)

60 kg
GOLD - Samuel GURRIA VIGUERAS (MEX) vs. Luis ORTA SANCHEZ (CUB)
BRONZE - Dalton ROBERTS (USA) vs. Anthony PALENCIA PUENTES (VEN)
BRONZE - Maikol JOSEFA (DOM) vs. Dicther TORO CASTANEDA (COL)

63 kg – Round 3 matches
Jose DAVILA CABELLO (PER) vs. Mauri VICENTE SILVERIO JUNIOR (BRA)
Ryan MANGO (USA) vs. Andres MONTANO ARROYO (ECU)

67 kg
GOLD -  Ismael BORRERO MOLINA (CUB) vs. Ellis COLEMAN (USA)
BRONZE -  Shalom VILLEGAS REQUENA (VEN) vs. Cristhian RIVAS CASTRO (ECU)
BRONZE - Manuel LOPEZ SALCERO (MEX) vs. Joilson DE BRITO RAMOS JUNIOR (BRA)

72 kg – Round 3 matches
Francisco BARRIO (ARG) vs. Kenedy MORAES PEDROSA (BRA)

97 kg
GOLD - Gabriel ROSILLO KINDELAN (CUB) vs. G’Angelo HANCOCK (USA)
BRONZE - Kevin MEJIA CASTILLO (HON) vs. Jose ARIAS PAREDES (DOM)
BRONZE - Oscar LOANGO SOLIS (COL) vs. Luillys PEREZ MORA (VEN)

130 kg
GOLD - Luciano DEL RIO (ARG) vs. Adam Jacob COON (USA)
BRONZE - Diego ALMENDRAS RODRIQUEZ (CHI) vs. Angel PACHECO ROMERO (CUB)
BRONZE - Charles THOMS (CAN) vs. Edgardo LOPEZ MORELL (PUR)

 

 

#development

Italy Organizes UWW Level 3 Technical Course for Coaches

By United World Wrestling Press

CESEBATICO, Italy (February 9) -- A United World Wrestling Level 3 Technical Course for coaches was successfully organized in Cesenatico, Italy from January 5 to 9, 2026. The course was organized in collaboration with UWW and the FIJLKAM.

Organised after a international tournament, the course brought together 33 coaches from Italy and other countries, including Germany, Poland, Croatia and Ivory Coast creating a rich environment for technical exchange, professional development and international cooperation.

This tournament provided an important practical framework for the educational programme, allowing coaches to observe real competition situations, analyze match management and technical-tactical aspects, and directly link theoretical learning to high-level competitive practice.

The programme was led by UWW Development Officer Vincent AKA, with practical sessions conducted by Olympic Champion and UWW expert Komeil GHASEMI. The course followed the new UWW education pathway, focusing on advanced coaching competencies for high-performance environments.

Italy

The key topics in the course included coaching philosophy and leadership, advanced planning and periodization, pedagogical situations and match analysis, technical and tactical development, safeguarding, anti-doping and athlete protection and introduction to Beach Wrestling.

Both theoretical and practical evaluations were conducted, allowing participants to apply their knowledge in real coaching situations. At the conclusion of the course, all successful participants were awarded the UWW Level 3 Coaching Certificate.

"I want to thank everyone for this course, for what you did, and for how we got along together," Carmelo RICCARDO, a coach and participant said. "It was a wonderful experience and very interesting course. Thanks to the UWW and FIJLKAM for these important opportunities for growth."

The Italian Wrestling Federation provided high-quality facilities, with classrooms and training venues meeting international standards. All activities were centralized at Villaggio Accademia Cesenatico, ensuring optimal logistical conditions for both learning and training.

The course benefited from the continuous presence of national federation representatives, including the Technical and Sports Directors, as well as the participation of FIJLKAM leadership during the closing ceremony—demonstrating strong institutional commitment to coach education.

After the course, it achieved its educational and development objectives. The combination of high-level technical content, structured evaluations, international expertise, and strong human values.

The course not only strengthened the competencies of participating coaches but also reinforced Italy’s role as a key hub for wrestling education and excellence in Europe, contributing sustainably to the long-term development of the sport.

Sustainability

From a sustainability perspective, the use of the covered stadium contributed to the efficient organization of Beach Wrestling activities by optimizing existing infrastructure. By adapting a multi-purpose covered venue for Beach Wrestling sessions, the organizers limited the need for additional temporary installations, reduced logistical and environmental impact, and ensured continuity of activities regardless of weather conditions.

This approach reflects UWW’s commitment to sustainable event organization through the рационal use of facilities and long-term infrastructure legacy.