Freestyle World Cup, Los Angeles, United World Wrestling, Iran, Cuba, United States, Turkey, Mongolia, Azerbaijan

Freestyle World Cup: Updated Results and Notes

By United World Wrestling Press

Head to United World Wrestling's Freestyle World Cup page for links to the live stream, results and photographs. 
HERE: https://unitedworldwrestling.org/event/world-cup-senior-7

Pool A W L Pool B W L United States 3 0 Iran 3 0 Russia 2 1 Azerbaijan 2 1 Mongolia 1 2 Belarus 1 2 Cuba 0 3 Turkey 0 3

CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL: United States vs. Iran
THIRD PLACE: Russia vs. Azerbaijan
FIFTH PLACE: Mongolia vs. Belarus
SEVENTH PLACE: Cuba vs. Turkey

THIRD PLACE
AZERBAIJAN 4, RUSSIA 4 (15-15)

Azerbaijan wins by technical points 34-28
Azerbaijan need to go to the second tiebreaking criteria to defeat Russia for third place at the World Cup. Jamaladdin MAGOMEDOV (AZE) picked up 12 crucial technical points in a 12-1 technical fall over Timur KOTSOEV (RUS) at 125kg. Magomedov's win was big because it tied the match score at four matches apiece, then tied the classification score at 15 apiece. With those 12 points, Jamaladdin's victory pushed Azerbaijan through. 

57 kg - Viktor RASSADIN (RUS) df. Yashar ALIYEV (AZE), 8-1
61 kg - No.12 Haji ALIYEV (AZE) df. No.15 Murshid MUTALIMOV (RUS), 9-4
65 kg - No.4 Magomed MUSLIMOV (AZE) df. Zaurbek SIDAKOV (RUS), 6-0
70 kg - No.8 Israil KASUMOV (RUS) df. No.12 Ruslan DIBIRGADZHIYEV (AZE), 6-4
74 kg - Iakubali SHIKHDZHAMALOV (RUS) df. Murad SULEYMANOV (AZE), 4-1
86 kg - Dauren KURUGLIEV (RUS) df. Aleksandr GOSTIYEV (AZE), 4-0
97 kg - No.5 Sharif SHARIFOV (AZE) df. No.13 Yury BELONOVSKIY (RUS), 1-1
125 kg - No.11 Jamaladdin MAGOMEDOV (AZE) df. Timur KOTSOEV (RUS) by TF, 12-1

FIFTH PLACE
BELARUS 5, MONGOLIA 3

Despite upset wins by Tsogtbaatar DAMDINBAZAR and Mandakhan GANZORIG, Belarus proved to be too much for Mongolia. Wins by Ivan YANKOUSKI at 97kg and Aleksey SHEMAROV at 125kg lifted Belarus to a fifth-place finish. Shemarov defeated World No.9 Chuluunbat JARGALSAIKHAN 11-1 to finish off the dual. 

57 kg - No.10 Tsogtbaatar DAMDINBAZAR (MGL) df. No.7 Vladzislav ANDREEV (BLR) by FALL
61 kg - Dzianis MAKSIMAV (BLR) df. Nemekhbayar BATSAIKHAN (MGL), 10-10
65 kg - No.6 Mandakhnaran GANZORIG (MGL) df. No.5 Azamat NURIKOV (BLR), 11-5
70 kg - Ankhbayar BATCHULUUN (MGL) df. Zhan SAFYAN (BLR), 11-9
74 kg - No.4 Ali SHABANOV (BLR) df. No.14 Unurbat PUREVJAV (MGL), 8-2
86 kg - Amarhajy MAHAMEDAV (BLR) df. Usukhbaatar PUREVEE (MGL), 8-5
97 kg - Ivan YANKOUSKI (BLR) df. No.9 Khuderbulga DORJKHAND (MGL), 7-5
125 kg - No.7 Aleksei SHEMAROV (BLR) df. No.9 Chuluunbat JARGALSAIKHAN (MGL), 11-1

SEVENTH PLACE
CUBA 5, TURKEY 3

Cuba finished seventh after several wrestlers were unable to compete due to injury. In the four matches that were wrestled, the Cubans swept them all, with the biggest victory coming at 57kg as No.4 Yowlys BONNE RODRIGUEZ earned a 10-0 technical fall over past World medalist Sezar AKGUL (TUR).

57 kg - No.4 Yowlys BONNE RODRIGUEZ (CUB) df. Sezar AKGUL (TUR) by TF, 10-0
61 kg - Munir RECEP AKTAS (TUR) won by forfeit
65 kg - Franklin MAREN CASTILLO (CUB) df. Mustafa KARTAL (TUR) by TF, 10-0
70 kg - Andy YOAN MORENO GONZALEZ (CUB) df. Sefa AKSOY (TUR), 4-2
74 kg - Livan LOPEZ AZCUY (CUB) won by forfeit
86 kg - Serdar BOKE (TUR) won by forfeit
97 kg - No.7 Javier CORTINA LACERRA (CUB) df. Ibrahim BOLUKBASI (TUR) by FALL
125 kg - Tanju GEMICI (TUR) won by forfeit

Pool B, Round 6
IRAN 7, AZERBAIJAN 1

The only loss for Iran was one of its best as No.5 Sharif SHARIFOV (AZE) topped No.4 Reza YAZDANI (IRI) at 97kg 9-1. Iran would win the other seven bouts, with solid wins registered by No.18 Benham EHSANPOOR (IRI) over World Champion Haji ALIYEV (AZE) at 61kg. A wild matchup occurred at 65kg as World No.2 Sayed MOHAMMADI (IRI) outlasted Toghrul ASGAROV (AZE) 14-10. Iran will face the host United States in the championship final.

57 kg - No.8 Hassan RAHIMI (IRI) df. Jalal SULEYMANOR (AZE), 8-2
61 kg - No.18 Behnam EHSANPOOR (IRI) df. No.12 Haji ALIYEV (AZE), 5-5
65 kg - No.2 Seyed AHMAD MOHAMMADI  (IRI) df. Toghrul ASGAROV (AZE), 14-10
70 kg - No.10 Hassan YAZDANI CHARATI (IRI) df. No.12 Ruslan DIBIRGADZHIYEV (AZE), 10-8
74 kg - Morteza REZAEI GHALEH (IRI) df. No.9 Jabrayil HASANOV (AZE) by TF, 10-2
86 kg - No.4 Meisam MOSTAFAJOUKAR (IRI) df. Aleksandr GOSTIYEV (AZE) by TF, 12-1
97 kg - No.5 Sharif SHARIFOV (AZE) df. No.4 Reza YAZDANI (IRI), 9-1
125 kg - No.10 Parviz HADI (IRI) df. No.11 Jamalladin MAGOMEDOV (AZE) by TF, 12-2

Pool A, Round 6
RUSSIA 4, CUBA 4
Russia wins by classification points, 24-12
Russia won two of its four matches by forfeit and the other two by fall to get past an injury-depelted Cuban squad in the final round of Pool A competition. The big win was delivered at 125kg as Yuri BELONOVSKIY (RUS) bumped up from 97kg to pick up a fall and give Russia the dual-tying win. Russia would win on criteria. 

57 kg - No.4 Yowlys BONNE RODRIGUEZ (CUB) df. Viktor RASSADIN (RUS), 12-6
61 kg - No.15 Murshid MUTALIMOV (RUS) by forfeit
65 kg - Franklin MAREN CASTILLO (CUB) df. Zaurbek SIDAKOV (RUS), 5-4
70 kg - No.8 Israil KASUMOV (RUS) df. Andy YOAN MORENO GONZALEZ (CUB) by FALL
74 kg - No.5 Livan LOPEZ AZCUY (CUB) df. Isa DAUDOV (RUS), 7-2
86 kg - Akhmed MAGOMEDOV (RUS) by forfeit
97 kg - No.7 Javier CORTINA LACERRA (CUB) df. Azret SHOGENOV (RUS), 8-2
125 kg - No.13 Yury BELONOVSKIY (RUS) df. Eduardo MESA RABI (CUB) by FALL

Pool A, Round 5
UNITED STATES 8, MONGOLIA 0

The United States swept Mongolia 8-0 to win Pool A and move into the championship dual against the winner of the Iran-Azerbaijan dual in Pool B. The U.S. won three matches against higher-ranked opponents while Saturday's hero, Tervel DLAGNEV (USA), was dominant at 125kg, earning a 10-0 techincal fall over World No.9 Chluunbat JARGALSAIKHAN (MGL). 

57 kg - No.19 Tony RAMOS (USA) df. No.10 Tsogtbaatar DAMDINBAZAR (MGL), 1-1
61 kg - Coleman SCOTT (USA) df. Nemekhbayar BATSAIKHAN (MGL), 8-5
65 kg - No.8 Brent METCALF (USA) df. No.6 Mandakhnaran GANZORIG (MGL), 8-2
70 kg - No.11 Nick MARABLE (USA) df. Ankhbayar BATCHULUUN (MGL), 4-1
74 kg - No.2 Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) df. No.14 Unurbat PUREVJAV (MGL), 6-0
86 kg - No.10 Clayton FOSTER (USA) df. Usukhbaatar PUREVEE (MGL), 2-2
97 kg - Jake VARNER (USA) df. No.9 Khuderbulga DORJKHAND (MGL), 3-0
125 kg - No.8 Tervel DLAGNEV (USA) df. No.9 Chluunbat JARGALSAIKHAN (MGL) by TF, 10-0

Pool B, Round 5
BELARUS 5, TURKEY 3

57 kg - No.7 Vladzislav ANDREEV (BLR) df. Sezar AKGUL (TUR), 5-3
61 kg - Munir RECEP AKTAS (TUR) df. Dzianis MAKSIMAV (BLR) by TF, 14-4
65 kg - No.5 Azamat NURIKOV (BLR) df. Mustafa KARTAL (TUR) by TF, 11-0
70 kg - Zhan SAFYAN (BLR) df. (TUR) by forfeit, 0-0
74 kg - Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR) df. No.4 Ali SHABANOV (BLR), 4-3
86 kg - Serdar BOKE (TUR) df. Amarhajy MAHAMEDAV (BLR), 8-7
97 kg - Ivan YANKOUSKI (BLR) df. Ibrahim BOLUKBASI (TUR) by TF, 20-9
125 kg - No.7 Aleksei SHEMAROV (BLR) df. Tanju GEMICI (TUR) by TF, 10-0

WORLD CUP NOTEBOOK
Cuban Contingent Happy to Participate in World Cup in Los Angeles

Cuba's Livan LOPEZ AZCUY was excited for the 2015 United World Wrestling World Cup. He wasn't exactly excited about the arrival time into Los Angeles as the Cuban delegation arrived at 2 a.m. local time, approxmiately 13 hours prior to competition.

"This is my first trip to Los Angeles and we arrived very late so I haven’t seen anything. I’d like to see a little of the city," said Lopez. "We arrived late and I haven't had any time to recover."

Being sleep-deprived adds another level of sluggishness. Heavy legs and new timezones can be problematic for timing and quickness. Lopez had to take that into consideration when facing his first opponent on Saturday -- American Jordan BURROUGHS. 

"Jordan is an amazing wrestler and he would have been tough even if I was rested," said Lopez, a three-time World and Olympic medalist, who was still looking forward to wrestling Burroughs for the second time. "I've been fighting at 65kg and just moved up," said Lopez. "I have a great opportunity to work on my tactics at this weight and I know when I get home, I'll need to work on my strength."

Cuban head coach Julio MENDIETA CUELLAR was a bit awestruck of the Forum.

“When I walked in the front entrance of The Forum and saw all the pictures of the people who have performed here, I felt “WOW.”   I felt elevated that I was in the same facility as all these important people," said Mendieta Cuellar.

Funding is always an issue for the small Caribbean island nation, which sits just 90 miles from the United States mainland. Bringing top wrestlers to the World Cup is an opportunity, but even Mendieta Cuellar doesn't know if everyone in Los Angeles will be on the quad that competes at the World Championships in Las Vegas, Nevada come September.

“It’s too soon to decide that, but I expect that some of the wrestlers here in Los Angeles will go to the World Championships," said Mendieta Cuellar. "Bottom line, it the best performers that will go to Las Vegas.”

The Cuban contingent will have to fight the rest of the way without the dynamic Reineris SALAS PEREZ. The multi-time World medalist was injured in competition leading up to the World Cup and re-injured his ankle in a wild 22-13 loss to Ed RUTH of the United States.

"We brought a doctor with us and he will check it, but we don’t want to make the ankle worse with the World Championships coming up," said Mendieta Cuellar. Salas reportedly had a cast on his ankle removed two days prior. 

Burroughs Wins 100th International Match

Three-time World and Olympic champion Jordan BURROUGHS of the United States won two matches on Saturday to push his senior-level international record to 100-2. Burroughs' 100th win was over Russia's Iakubali SHIKHDZHAMALOV. Burroughs jumped out to a 4-0 on four pushouts, then hit his trademark doubleleg to extend his lead to 8-0. Burroughs finished off the match with four points, converting on another double leg in the second period. Burroughs' only two losses are to fellow American Nick MARABLE and to three-time World and Olympic champion Denis TSARGUSH of Russia. 

Pool A, Round 4
MONGOLIA 5, CUBA 3
57 kg - No.4 Yowlys BONNE RODRIGUEZ (CUB) df. No.10 Tsogtbaatar DAMDINBAZAR (MGL) by TF, 15-5
61 kg - Nemekhbayar BATSAIKHAN (MGL) df. Moikel ANTONIO PEREZ GONZALEZ (CUB), 9-5
65 kg - No.6 Mandakhnaran GANZORIG (MGL) df. Franklin MAREN CASTILLO (CUB) by TF, 11-0
70 kg - Ankhbayar BATCHULUUN (MGL) df. Andy YOAN MORENO GONZALEZ (CUB) by TF, 11-0
74 kg - No.5 Livan LOPEZ AZCUY (CUB) df. No.14 Unurbat PUREVJAV (MGL), 6-4
86 kg - Usukhbaatar PUREVEE (MGL) by forfeit, 0-0
97 kg - No.7 Javier CORTINA LACERRA (CUB) df. No.9 Khuderbulga DORJKHAND (MGL), 3-1
125 kg - No.9 Chuluunbat JARGALSAIKHAN (MGL) df. Eduardo MESA RABI (CUB) by TF, 10-0

Pool B, Round 4
AZERBAIJAN 6, BELARUS 2
57 kg - Jalal SULEYMANOR (AZE) df. Uladzislau ANDREYEU (BLR) by TF, 12-2
61 kg - Haji ALIYEV (AZE) df. Dzianis MAKSIMAU (BLR) by TF, 12-2
65 kg - Toghrul ASGAROV (AZE) df. Azamat NURYKAU (BLR), 6-2
70 kg - Ruslan DIBIRGADZHIYEV (AZE) df. Zhan SAFYAN (BLR), 8-0
74 kg - Jabrayil HASANOV (AZE) df. Ali SHABANAU (BLR), 1-1
86 kg - Amarhajy MAHAMEDAU (BLR) df. Aleksandr GOSTIYEV (AZE), 1-1
97 kg - Sharif SHARIFOV (AZE) df. Ivan YANKOUSKI (BLR) by TF, 11-1
125 kg - Aleksei SHEMAROV (BLR) df. Jamaladdin MAGOMEDOV (AZE), 5-3

Pool A, Round 3
UNITED STATES 4, RUSSIA 4

USA wins by classification points, 17-16
Two-time World bronze medalist Tervel DLAGNEV (USA) came through in the clutch to beat Arslanbek ALIEV (RUS) 10-0 at 125kg to push the host United States to a tie-breaker victory over Russia in the second round of Pool A competition. Russia made things extremely interesting after Dauren KURUGLIEV (RUS) pinned Ed RUTH (USA) in 52 seconds at 86kg and then No.13 Yuri BELONOVSKIY (RUS) scored two takedowns to beat Olympic champion Jake VARNER (USA) at 97kg. Dlagnev's 10-0 technical superiority gave the U.S. four classification points, but more importantly, the shut out kept Aliev from scoring a classification point, which would have sent the match to the next criteria. 

57 kg - No.19 Tony RAMOS (USA) df. Omak SYURUUN (RUS), 4-2
61 kg - No.15 Murshid MUTALIMOV (RUS) df. Coleman SCOTT (USA), 10-1
65 kg - No.8 Brent METCALF (USA) df. No.16 Akhmed CHAKAEV (RUS) by TF, 13-3
70 kg - No.8 Israil KASUMOV (RUS) df. No.11 Nick MARABLE (USA), 6-4
74 kg - No.2 Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) df. Iakubali SHIKHDZHAMALOV (RUS) by TF, 12-0
86 kg - Dauren KURUGLIEV (RUS) df. Ed RUTH (USA) by FALL, 0:52
97 kg - No.13 Yuri BELONOVSKIY (RUS) df. Jake VARNER (USA), 4-0
125 kg - No.8 Tervel DLAGNEV (USA) df. Arslanbek ALIEV (RUS) by TF, 10-0

IRAN 7, TURKEY 1
Sezar AKGUL (TUR) opened up the dual with an exciting 13-10 victory over World No.16 Younes SARMASTIDIZAJI (IRI) at 57kg. The Iranian jumped out to an 8-1 lead before Akgul began his comeback with several front headlock rolls for exposure. Akgul would score 12 of the next 14 points to pick up the win. Iran would power through the rest of the dual with two technical falls, two forfeits and a fall by second-ranked Komeil GHASEMI (IRI). Iran ends the day 2-0 and will face Azerbaijan at 12:30 p.m. Pacific. If Iran wins, they will advance to the World Cup final. 

57 kg - Sezar AKGUL (TUR) df. No.16 Younes SARMASTIDIZAJI (IRI), 13-10
61 kg - No.18 Behnam EHSANPOOR (IRI) df. Munir RECEP AKTAS (TUR), 5-0
65 kg - No.2 Masmoud ESMAILPOUR (IRI) df. Sefa AKSOY (TUR) by TF, 10-0
70 kg - No.10 Hassan YAZDANI CHARATI (IRI) df. (TUR) by forfeit, 0-0
74 kg - No.12 Peyman YARAHMADI (IRI) df. Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR) by forfeit, 0-0
86 kg - No.4 Meysam JOKAR (IRI) df. Serdar BOKE (TUR) by TF, 10-0
97 kg - No.3 Mohammad HOSSIEN MOHAMMADIAN (IRI) df. Ibrahim BOLUKBASI (TUR), 4-4
125 kg - No.2 Komeil GHASEMI (IRI) df. Tanju GEMICI (TUR) by FALL 1:06

Pool A, Round 2
RUSSIA 5, MONGOLIA 3

Even without their best possible lineup, the Russian Federation fought past Mongolia in Pool A competition 5-3. Omak SYURUUN (RUS) opened up at 57kg with a crisp 8-1 victory over 2014 Asian silver medalist Tsogtbaatar DAMDINBAZAR (MGL). World No.9 Egor PONOZMARIOV (RUS) would give Russia a 2-0 lead with a 3-1 win over Nemekhbayar BATSAIKHAN (MGL) at 61kg. Russia stole any Mongolian momentum at 70kg as No.8 Israil KASUMOV (RUS) trailed Ankhbayar BATCHULUUN (MGL) 10-4 late in the first period, but Kasumov tossed Batchuluun to his back for the fall at 2:18. In a battle of ranked wrestlers, World No.13 Yuri BELONOVSKI (RUS) beat No.9 Khuderbulga DORJKAND (MGL) 2-0 at 97kg to clinch the dual victory for the Russians. 

57 kg - Omak SYURUUN (RUS) df. No.10 Tsogtbaatar DAMDINBAZAR (MGL), 8-1
61 kg - No.9 Egor PONOMARIOV (RUS) df. Nemekhbayar BATSAIKHAN (MGL), 3-1
65 kg - No.6 Mandakhnaran GANZORIG (MGL) df. Zaurbek SIDAKOV (RUS), 6-4
70 kg - No.8 Israil KASUMOV (RUS) df. Ankhbayar BATCHULUUN (MGL) by FALL, 2:18
74 kg - Unurbat PUREVJAV (MGL) df. Isa DAUDOV (RUS), 6-6 (highest scoring move)
86 kg - Dauren KURUGLIEV (RUS) df. Usukhbaatar PUREVEE (MGL) by TF, 10-0
97 kg - No.13 Yuri BELONOVSKI (RUS) df. No.9 Khuderbulga DORJKHAND (MGL), 2-0
125 kg - No.9 Chuluunbat JARGALSAIKHAN (MGL) df. Arslanbek ALIEV (RUS), 8-1

Pool B, Round 2
AZERBAIJAN 7, TURKEY 1

Yashar ALIYEV (AZE) got Azerbaijan off to a strong start at 57kg as he defeated two-time World medalist Sezar AKGUL (TUR) 9-4. Akgul was a World silver medalist in 2009 and a bronze medalist in 2013. Reigning World champion Haji ALIYEV (AZE) was ranked just 12th at 65kg, but he's back at 61kg and he put on a spectacular performance with several highlight-reel worthy throws to earn a 17-4 technical fall over Munir RECEP AKTAS (TUR). Togrul ASGAROV (AZE), the Olympic champion in 2012 at 60kg, is back at 65kg after competing at 70kg in two international events this year. He made quick work of Sefa AKSOY (TUR) 11-0. Turkey's lone win came at 125kg where Tanju GEMICI (TUR) rallied from an 8-0 deficit, hitting a lateral drop to pin No.11 Jamaladdin MAGOMEDOV (AZE) at 1:33. 

57 kg - Yashar ALIYEV (AZE) df. Sezar AKGUL (TUR), 9-4
61 kg - No.12 Haji ALIYEV (AZE) df. Munir RECEP AKTAS (TUR) by TF, 17-4
65 kg - Toghrul ASGAROV (AZE) df. Sefa AKSOY (TUR) by TF, 11-0
70 kg - Ruslan DIBIRGADZHIYEV (AZE) df. (TUR) by forfeit, 0-0
74 kg - No.9 Jabrayil HASANOV (AZE) df. Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR), 6-3
86 kg - Aleksandr GOSTIYEV (AZE) df. Serdar BOKE (TUR), 4-2
97 kg - No.5 Sharif SHARIFOV (AZE) df. Ibrahim BOLUKBASI (TUR), 2-0
125 kg - Tanju GEMICI (TUR) df. No.11 Jamaladdin MAGOMEDOV (AZE) by FALL, 1:33

Session I
Pool A, Round 1
UNITED STATES 6, CUBA 2

Cuba opened up quickly by winning the first two bouts against the host Americans. Ranked fourth in the World at 61kg, Yowlys BONNE RODRIGUEZ (CUB) made the move down to 57kg and rallied to pin No.19 Tony RAMOS (USA)  in the second period. Bonne Herndanez used a cradle to secure the fall. Unheralded Maikel ANTONIO PEREZ (CUB) picked up an outstanding 9-1 decision over 2012 Olympic bronze medalist Coleman SCOTT (USA) at 61kg. The United States would sweep the final six weights, with the first key victory coming at 74kg where three-time World and Olympic champion and World No.2 Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) topped two-time world medalist and World No.5 Livan LOPEZ (CUB) 6-2. It was wild at 86kg as Ed RUTH (USA) upended World No.2 Reineris SALAS PEREZ (CUB) 22-13. Ruth jumped out to a 6-3 lead before Salas scored 10 straight to take a 13-6 lead. Ruth would then score 16 straight points. Jake Varner (USA), the 2012 Olympic champion, defeated World No.7 and 2014 World bronze medalist Javier CORTINA LACERRA (CUB) 3-0 at 97kg to clinch the dual for the USA. 

57 kg - No.4 Yowlys BONNE RODRIGUEZ (CUB) df. No.19 Tony RAMOS (USA) by FALL 4:57. 
61 kg - Moikel ANTONIO PEREZ (CUB) df. Coleman SCOTT (USA), 9-1
65 kg - No.8 Brent METCALF (USA) df. Franklin MAREN CASTILLO (CUB), 7-2
70 kg - No.11 Nick MARABLE (USA) df. Andy YOAN MORENO GONZALEZ (CUB) by TF, 10-0
74 kg - No.2 Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) df. No.5 Livan LOPEZ AZCUY (CUB), 6-2
86 kg - Ed RUTH (USA) df. No.2 Reineris SALAS PEREZ (CUB), 22-13
97 kg - Jake VARNER (USA) df. No.7 Javier CORTINA LACERRA (CUB), 3-0
125 kg - No.15 Zach REY (USA) df. Eduardo MESA RABI (CUB), 3-0

 

Pool B, Round 1
IRAN 8, BELARUS 0

Buoyed by a large contingent of fans in Los Angeles, Iran opened up with an impressive 8-0 shutout victory over Belarus. World No.8 and 2013 World Champion Hassan RAHIMI (IRI) opened up with a strong win over World No.7 and 2014 World bronze medalist Vladislav ANDREEV (BLR) at 57kg. One of the biggest victories came at 74kg where unranked Moteza REZAEI GHALEH (IRI) defeated Ali SHABANOV (BLR). Shabanov, a two-time World bronze medalist led 4-2 with 40 seconds left but Rezaei picked up a match-tying takedown to knot the score at four apiece. No further scoring would take place giving Rezaei the victory by criteria. Four-time World medalist and two-time champion Reza YAZDANI (IRI) was solid, earning a 10-0 technical fall over Ivan YANKOUSKI (BLR) at 97kg. The Iranians would make it a clean sweep after World No.10 Parviz HADI (IRI) would defeat World No.7 and 2011 World Champion Aleksey SHEMAROV (BLR) 6-0.

57 kg - No.8 Hassan RAHIMI (IRI) df. No.7 Vladislav ANDREEV (BLR), 5-2
61 kg - No.18 Behnam EHSANPOOR (IRI) df. Dzianis MAKSIMAU (BLR), 7-0
65 kg - No.2 Seyed AHMAD MOHAMMADI (IRI) df. No.5 Azamat NURYKAV (BLR) by TF, 11-0
70 kg - No.10 Hassan YAZDANI CHARATI (IRI) df. Zhan SAFYAN (BLR) by TF, 12-1
74 kg - Morteza REZAEI GHALEH (IRI) df. No.4 Ali SHABANOV (BLR), 4-4 (last point scored)
86 kg - No.13 Alireza KARIMIMACHIANI (IRI) df. Amarhajy MAHAMEDAV (BLR), 7-4
97 kg - No.4 Reza YAZDANI (IRI) df. Ivan YANKOUSKI (BLR) by TF, 10-0
125 kg - No.10 Parviz HADI (IRI) df. No.7 Aleksei SHEMAROV (BLR), 6-0

 

Competition Schedule (All Times are PDT; GMT -7)
Sunday, April 12
Session IV
4:15 p.m. – Mat A: Third Place Dual
5:45 p.m. – Mat A: Championship Dual

Session I
Pool A, Round 1
ETATS UNIS 6, CUBA 2

Cuba a commencé par gagner les deux premiers matchs face aux Américains. Yowlys BONNE RODRIGUEZ (CUB) , No. 4 à 61 kg, est descendu à 57 kg et a battu le No. 19 Tony RAMOS (USA) en seconde période. Maikel ANTONIO PEREZ (CUB) a battu le médaillé de bronze des Jeux Olympiques de 2012 Coleman SCOTT (USA) 9-1 à 61kg. Les Etats Unis ont gagné dans les six catégories de poids restantes. L’une des victoires les plus importantes a été remportée par le triple champion du monde et champion olympique Jordan BURROUGHS à 74 kg ; le lutteur a battu le doublé médaillé et No. 5 mondial  Livan LOPEZ (CUB) 6-2. Le combat était dur à 86kg, ou Ed RUTH (USA) a battu le No. 2 mondial No.2 Reineris SALAS PEREZ (CUB) 22-13. Ruth menait 6-3 au début du match avant que Salas de marque 10 points d’affilée et ne mène 13-6 ; Ruth a alors repris le dessus et a marqué 16 points consécutifs. Jake Varner (USA), champion olympique en 2012, a battu le No.7 mondial et médaillé de bronze des Championnats du Monde de 2014 Javier CORTINA LACERRA (CUB) 3-0 à 97kg.

57 kg - No.4 Yowlys BONNE RODRIGUEZ (CUB) df. No.19 Tony RAMOS (USA) par tombé 4:57. 
61 kg - Moikel ANTONIO PEREZ (CUB) df. Coleman SCOTT (USA), 9-1
65 kg - No.8 Brent METCALF (USA) df. Franklin MAREN CASTILLO (CUB), 7-2
70 kg - No.11 Nick MARABLE (USA) df. Andy YOAN MORENO GONZALEZ (CUB) par sP, 10-0
74 kg - No.2 Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) df. No.5 Livan LOPEZ AZCUY (CUB), 6-2
86 kg - Ed RUTH (USA) df. No.2 Reineris SALAS PEREZ (CUB), 22-13
97 kg - Jake VARNER (USA) df. No.7 Javier CORTINA LACERRA (CUB), 3-0
125 kg - No.15 Zach REY (USA) df. Eduardo MESA RABI (CUB), 3-0

Pool B, Round 1
IRAN 8, BIELORUSSIE 0

Encouragés par leurs nombreux fans à los Angeles, les iraniens ont brillamment battu la Biélorussie 8-0. Le No. 8 mondial et champion du monde de 2013 Hassan RAHIMI (IRI) a battu le No. 7 mondial et médaillé de bronze mondial Vladislav ANDREEV (BLR) à 57kg. L’une des victoires les plus impressionnantes a été celle remportée par Moteza REZAEI GHALEH (IRI) à 74 kg ; le lutteur non classé a battu Ali SHABANOV (BLR). Shabanov, double médaillé de bronze des Championnats du monde, menait 4-2 à 40 secondes de la fin mais Rezeai a finalement marqué deux points et a gagné sur critères.

Le quadruple médaillé mondial et double champion Reza YAZDANI (IRI) n’a rien laché et a battu Ivan YANKOUSKI (BLR) 10-0 par supériorité technique à 97 kg. Le No. 10 mondial Parviz HADI (IRI) a finalement battu le No. 7 mondial et champion du monde de 2010 Aleksey SHEMAROV (BLR) 6-0.

57 kg - No.8 Hassan RAHIMI (IRI) df. No.7 Vladislav ANDREEV (BLR), 5-2
61 kg - No.18 Behnam EHSANPOOR (IRI) df. Dzianis MAKSIMAU (BLR), 7-0
65 kg - No.2 Seyed AHMAD MOHAMMADI (IRI) df. No.5 Azamat NURYKAV (BLR) par SP, 11-0
70 kg - No.10 Hassan YAZDANI CHARATI (IRI) df. Zhan SAFYAN (BLR) par sP, 12-1
74 kg - Morteza REZAEI GHALEH (IRI) df. No.4 Ali SHABANOV (BLR), 4-4 (dernier point marqué)
86 kg - No.13 Alireza KARIMIMACHIANI (IRI) df. Amarhajy MAHAMEDAV (BLR), 7-4
97 kg - No.4 Reza YAZDANI (IRI) df. Ivan YANKOUSKI (BLR) par SP, 10-0
125 kg - No.10 Parviz HADI (IRI) df. No.7 Aleksei SHEMAROV (BLR), 6-0

Horaire de compétition (PDT; GMT -7)
Dimanche, 12 avril
Session III

11:00 a.m. – Tapis A: Etats-Unis vs. Mongolie; Mat B: Turquie vs. Biélorussie
12:30 p.m. – Tapis A: Azerbaïdjan vs. Iran; Mat B: Cuba vs. Russie
2:00 p.m. – Tapis A: match pour la 5ème place; Mat B: match pour la 7ème place
 
Session IV
4:15 p.m. – Tapis A: match pour la 3ème place
5:45 p.m. – Tapis A: match pour le championnat

#WrestleAcapulco

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

By Gaurav Bhatt

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