Obituary

Daniel Robin, Double Olympic Silver Medalist and Hall of Fame Wrestler, Dies at 74

Thursday, May 24, 2018 - 13:25 By Tim Foley

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CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (May 24) – Hall of Fame wrestler Daniel ROBIN (FRA), who won two silver medals at the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City, died Wednesday at the age of 74.

A native on Bron, France (near Lyon) Robin became France’s first first world champion wrestler in 1967. At the 1968 Olympic Games Robin earned silver medals in Greco-Roman and freestyle, both at welterweight. He is the only wrestler to ever earn two silver medals at the same Olympic Games.

Following his career on the mat, Robin became head national team coach for France and later vice-president of the French Wrestling Federation. After retirement Robin began working with FILA and United World Wrestling as a technical delegate. In 2010 Robin was named to the organizing committee of the 2012 London Olympics as director of the wrestling operations.

Robin was inducted into the United World Wrestling Hall of Fame in 2012.

“Daniel was a great champion of our sport and his passion for wrestling was everlasting,” said United World Wrestling president Nenad LALOVIC. “As a person he touched the lives of many through kindness and his willingness to share how wrestling had such a positive impact on his life. My condolences go out to his family during this time.”

Robin was the in-house French announcer at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro and was the technical delegate for the 2018 Commonwealth Games last month in Gold Coast, Australia.

Wrestlers from around the world remembered Robin with fondness Wednesday, remarking on his positive attitude and passion for developing the sport.

“Daniel Robin was an ambassador for wrestling and his commitment to improving the sport never stopped, he was actively involved with young wrestlers. His accomplishment as a double Olympic silver medallist depicts his passion for the sport in a feat that is one of a kind,” said Secretary General Michel DUSSON.

“He devoted his life to wrestling and was an accomplished champion but more over a great friend. He will be dearly missed, and my thoughts are with his family.”

#WrestleAcapulco

Pan-Am C'ships: Acosta wins 130kg; U.S. grabs two GR golds

Thursday, February 22, 2024 - 03:36 By Gaurav Bhatt

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ACAPULCO, Mexico (February 22) — On what was a mixed day for the contingent, Team USA took home two gold medals and three silvers as the 2024 Pan-American Championships kicked off Wednesday with Greco-Roman action in Acapulco.

Hayden TUMA defeated Hector Sanchez ZAPATA (MEX) 4-0 to win the 63kg gold, while Alejandro SANCHO defeated Andres MONTANO (ECU) 3-1 for the 67kg title.

Tuma, a three-time national champion, had previously competed at the event in the 66kg and 67kg categories, finishing 7th on both occasions. The 29-year-old, who plans to compete in the 60kg category this Olympic cycle, ran through his 63kg opponents on Wednesday, utilizing his larger frame and explosive attacks.

PodiumThe 67kg podium at the Pam-Am Championships with Alejandro SANCHO (USA) winning the gold medal. (Photo: UWW / William Bain)

Sancho — who finished third at his first Pan-Am Championships in 2020 and then secured the 67kg quota for the US at the Olympic qualifier the week after — kept 2021 gold medallist Montano at bay on Wednesday's final. After the cagey opening period finished with Sancho trailing 1-0, the American rallied against the increasingly tired Ecuadorian. 

Oscar PINO’s (CUB) quest to defend his Greco-Roman 130kg title ended in heartbreak as the six-time champion and four-time world medallist conceded a walkover in the final. Yasmani ACOSTA (CHI) grabbed the gold without taking the mat for his last two bouts as Cohlton SCHULTZ (USA) forfeited the semifinal. The American, who began the day with a picture-perfect headlock in the win over Moises PEREZ HELLBURG (VEN), took a shade over 30 seconds to beat the Venezuelan again in the bronze-medal bout.

Daniel HECHAVARRIA (CUB), however, managed to win back-to-back golds as he defended his 87kg title with a win over Luis AVENDANO (VEN). Last year's 82kg champion Spencer WOODS (USA), who had moved up a category, faltered at the first hurdle as he couldn't hold on to a 3-0 lead and lost the bout to eventual bronze medallist Carlos ANDRES (COL).

Raiber OROZCO (VEN)Raiber OROZCO (VEN) defeated Randon MIRANDA (USA) 8-7 in the 60kg final. (Photo: UWW / William Bain)

Raiber OROZCO (VEN) won his first gold medal at the event with a tight 8-7 win over Randon MIRANDA (USA) in the 60kg category. The American — competing in his third final at the event after a 63kg silver in 2021 and the 60kg gold in 2022 — looked trigger-shy in the opening minutes. After giving up a 5-0 lead, Miranda bounced back as the two wrestlers engaged in a feisty contest that saw close calls and challenges upheld for both. In the end, Orozco proved too strong for Miranda. 

The 77kg competition sprang a couple of surprises as favorites Kamal BEY (USA) and Yosvanys PENA FLORES (CUB) lost their semifinal bouts. Jair CUERO (COL) took the gold after Joilson RAMOS (BRA) conceded a walkover in the final. 

In the 55kg category, Marco GARCIA (MEX) was too good for his opponents Camden RUSSELL (USA) and Mario CHOC (GUA). Sosruk KODZOKOV (BRA) won the 82kg gold as Mahmoud SEBIE (USA) finished second.

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RESULTS

55kg
GOLD: Marco GARCIA ALVAREZ (MEX)
SILVER: Camden RUSSELL (USA)
BRONZE: Mario CHOC (GUA)

60kg
GOLD:  Raiber OROZCO (VEN) df. Randon MIRANDA (USA), 8-7

BRONZE:  Angel SEGURA TELLEZ (MEX) df. Dicther TORO (COL), 2-1
BRONZE: Liria YERONY (DOM) df. Cristobal TORRES NUNEZ (CHI), 6-1

63kg
GOLD: Hayden TUMA (USA)
SILVER: Hector ZAPATA (MEX)
BRONZE: Carlos VAHOS (VEN)

67kg
GOLD:  Alejandro SANCHO (USA) df. Andres MONTANO ARROYO (ECU), 3-1

BRONZE: Horta JULIAN STIVEN (COL) df. Gavin ELDRIDGE (CAN), 8-0
BRONZE: Almanza NESTOR EVIAN (CHI) df. Laguerre STARLIN (DOM), 9-0

77kg
GOLD: Cuero JAIR (COL) df. Ramos De Brito JOILSON (BRA), via inj. def.

BRONZE: Kamal BEY (USA) df. Rivas Espinoza WUILEIXIS DE JESUS (VEN), 11-0
BRONZE: Pena Flores YOSVANYS (CUB) df. Bernal EDUARDO JOSUE (CHI), 8-0

82kg
GOLD: Sosruko KODZOKOV (BRA)
SILVER: Mahmoud SEBIE (USA)
BRONZE: Diego MACIAS TORRES (MEX)

87kg
GOLD: Daniel GREGORICH HECHAVARRIA (CUB) df. Avendano LUIS (VEN), 4-0

BRONZE: Carlos MUNOZ JARAMILLO (COL) df. Jose MORENO BUSTOS (CHI), 9-0
BRONZE: Alfonso ARIEL ANDRES (HON) df. Jorge LLANO (ARG), 8-0

130kg
GOLD: Yasmani ACOSTA (CHI) df. Oscar PINO (CUB), via inj. def.

BRONZE: Cohlton SCHULTZ (USA) df. Moises Salvador PEREZ HELLBURG (VEN), via fall