Granma y Cerro Pelado

Cuba Women Take Six Cerro Pelado Golds

Tuesday, February 20, 2018 - 22:48 By

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HAVANA, Cuba – The Cuban women were tenacious throughout the Granma y Cerro Pelado, winning six of the possible eight gold medals up for grabs at the Coliseo de la Ciudad Deportiva on Tuesday.

With all eight weight categories being bracketed in round-robin format, today’s session was not a traditional final, but rather the last round of matches in each weight class.

The most credentialed competitor in the field, Yudari SANCHEZ (CUB), received a medical forfeit in her final match to clinch the 68 KG gold medal. Sanchez, a junior world silver medalist and U23 world bronze medalist, finished with a perfect 4-0 record for the tournament, with none of her matches going to the full six minutes.

Six-time Pan American medalist Yakelin ESTORNELL (CUB) rebounded from a day one loss to upend undefeated Hangelen LLANES (CUB) 8-4 this afternoon. The win catapulted Estornell to the 62 kg gold medal. It is her second international medal of the young 2018 calendar year, going alongside her previously earned Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix bronze.

Returning Cerro Pelado bronze medalist Leanne MENDOZA (CUB) won a gritty 2-1 match over Yusneylys GUZMAN (CUB), a past junior Pan American champion, for the 50 KG gold. In similar fashion, last year’s Cerro Pelado silver medalist Milaimys MARIN (CUB) earned the 76 KG gold with a win 3-0 over 2017 junior Pan American champion Mabelkis CAPOTE (CUB).

Dayselis RODRIGUEZ (CUB) was a revelation this week as she took down the 59 KG field with impressive victories. Rodriguez cemented her place atop the podium with a gutsy 4-3 win over London Olympian and two-time Pan American champion Kelsey CAMPBELL (USA).

The final champion from the host nation came at 55 KG. Laura HERIN (CUB) fought tooth-and-nail with teammate Yayneli SANZ (CUB) and came out on top in a 3-1 contest. Herin and Sanz were the only two women entered at the weight class.

Rio Olympics fifth-place finisher Betzabeth Angelica ARGUELLO VILLEGAS (VEN) and 2016 Pan American bronze medalist Alejandra ROMERO (MEX) were the only non-Cuban women to win gold at the Granma y Cerro Pelado.

Arguello Villegas, a three-time Pan American bronze medalist, dominated Amanda HERNANDEZ (CUB) 11-1 for her final victory of the tournament at 53 KG.

Romero, who did not compete today, wound up deadlocked with Maria FERNANDA (CUB) and junior world silver medalist Lianna MONTERO (CUB) at 3-1 overall within the 57 KG bracket. Romero was awarded the gold based on classification criteria.

The Granma y Cerro Pelado resumes on Wednesday with the first day of men’s freestyle competition at 10 a.m. local time. Complete results and a live stream of all the action can be found at unitedworldwrestling.org.

RESULTS: http://uww.io/4gTea

50 KG

Gold – Leanna MENDOZA (CUB)

Silver – Yusneylys GUZMAN (CUB)

Bronze – Lisa ERSEL (GER)

53 KG

Gold – Betzabeth Angelica ARGELLO VILLEGAS (VEN)

Silver – Amanda HERNANEZ (CUB)

Bronze – Lilianet DUANE (CUB)

55 KG

Gold – Laura HERIN (CUB)

Silver – Yayneli SANZ (CUB)

57 KG

Gold – Alejandra ROMERO (MEX)

Silver – Maria FERNANDA (CUB)

Bronze – Lianna MONTERO (CUB)

59 KG

Gold – Dayselis RODRIGUEZ (CUB)

Silver – Kelsey CAMPBELL (USA)

Bronze – Rachelis CARON (CUB)

62 KG

Gold – Yakelin ESTORNELL (CUB)

Silver – Hangelen LLANES (CUB)

Bronze – Guadalupe GARCIA (MEX)

68 KG

Gold – Yudari SANCEZ (CUB)

Silver – Soleimy CORABALLO (VEN)

Bronze – Yariannys MARIN (CUB)

76 KG

Gold – Milaimys MARIN (CUB)

Silver – Susana MARTINEZ (CUB)

Bronze – Mabelkis CAPOTE (CUB)

Development

Argentina become first country in the Americas to host a Level 3 Coaches Course

Monday, December 2, 2024 - 12:41 By United World Wrestling Press

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BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (December 2) —Argentina has become the first country in the Americas to host a Level 3 Coaches Course, organized by United World Wrestling (UWW) and Olympic Solidarity (OS), with the organizational support of the Federación Argentina de Luchas Asociadas (FALA) and the Argentine Olympic Committee (COA). This historic course, held from November 25-29, also stands out as the first-ever Level 3 course conducted in Spanish globally, marking a significant milestone in the development of wrestling coaches in the region.

The course brought together 40 Argentine coaches--including seven women--to enhance their technical and pedagogical skills while embracing a high-performance vision. In addition, Ignacio D'Alessandro (ARG), an international 1S referee and UWW educator, conducted a refereeing clinic, which the participants highly appreciated.

CUBWorld champion and Olympic silver medalist Arsen JULFALAKYAN (ARG) walks through par terre strategy at the Level 3 Coaches Course in Argentina. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

One of the course's highlights was a technical and practical masterclass delivered by Arsen JULFALAKYAN (ARG), UWW Bureau member and Olympic medalist. Julfalakyan shared advanced strategies and innovative exercises that inspired participants to raise their training standards and adopt new perspectives in their daily coaching routines.

The program covered essential topics such as the profile of an excellent coach, tactical strategies, periodization theory and training methodology, and pedagogy for both grassroots and high-performance levels. This comprehensive approach not only strengthened the attendees' theoretical and practical knowledge but also fostered a sense of community and collaboration.

Raúl Trujillo and Filiberto Delgado, renowned Cuban coaches with a distinguished track record of training Pan-American, World, and Olympic champions, led the main sessions.

CUBLegendary coach Raúl TRUJILLO (CUB) walks through technique during a training session at the Level 3 Coaches Course in Argentina. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

"Argentina has tremendous potential. During this course, we focused on technical aspects and strategies to evolve and enhance the sport’s development in the country," said Trujillo, the celebrated coach of Mijaín López, a five-time Olympic champion. "The Americas are growing significantly; while Cuba, the United States, and Canada used to dominate, other nations are now achieving remarkable results at World Championships and the Olympic Games."

David Ochoa, Argentina's National Coach and newly accredited UWW Educator, supported the Cuban experts. Ochoa earned this distinction at the most recent Educators’ Course held in Guatemala just weeks prior, and his involvement exemplified Argentina’s commitment to nurturing local talent in wrestling education.

The course opened with an inauguration ceremony at the Argentine Olympic Committee, attended by key figures such as Fernando Rittner, president of FALA; Sebastián Pérez, Secretary General of FALA; Yuri Maier, UWW Sports and Development Officer; Arsen Julfalakyan, UWW Bureau member; and Cristian Roldán, head of administration and responsible for Olympic Solidarity. The practical and theoretical sessions took place at the National Center for High Performance Sports (CENARD), providing a professional and motivating environment for the coaches.

This course marks a significant step in the growth of wrestling across the continent, underscoring the importance of educational programs to elevate coaches’ technical and pedagogical levels. The certificates awarded, endorsed by UWW and Olympic Solidarity, symbolize not only recognition for the participants' efforts but also a commitment to developing the sport in Argentina and Latin America.

The success of this event opens the door to replicating this model in other countries across the continent, contributing to the global advancement of wrestling.