Godinez stuns 2 world champs for Pan-Am title

Friday, May 6, 2022 - 22:13 By Vinay Siwach

ACAPULCO, Mexico (May 6) -- When Karla GODINEZ GONZALEZ (CAN) was 13 years old, she was excited about a trip to Disneyland. Little did she know that she will be in a foreign country, Canada, and beginning a new life.

Hailing from Aguascalientes, Mexico, she did not speak the language nor did she know the culture when her parents settled in Surrey. But it was the start of a new life in an unknown land.

More than 12 years later, Godinez, having survived all the challenges, won the Pan-Am title after defeating two world champions in a single day, incidentally in her country of birth -- Mexico.

Godinez participated in her first senior Pan-Am Championships Friday and came home with a gold medal after beating world and defending champion Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) 8-5 in the 55kg final.

This was one of the two gold medals Canada won on the second day of the tournament along with the USA which also won two in women's wrestling.

Friday also saw the three remaining Greco-Roman gold medals being awarded. Guatemala was denied its first-ever Pan-Am champion in Greco-Roman while Cuba captured the remaining two golds.

But the day belonged to Godinez who pulled off one of the most shocking wins at the Pan-Am Championships in recent history.

Her day began against U23 world champion Lucia YEPEZ GUZMAN (ECU), a bout that was significant in determining if she faced Winchester in the semifinal or final.

Godinez scored a takedown against Yepez before giving up two non-action points to lead 2-2 on criteria at the break. With just over a minute remaining in the bout, she scored a takedown to take a clear 4-2 lead and booked her spot in the semifinal.

The 24-year-old destroyed Nadia TRUJILLANO LA ROSA (PER) 11-0 in the semifinal while Winchester had a similar score against Yepez in the other semifinal.

Winchester was a heavy favorite in the final against Godinez and it began that way when she scored the first takedown in the final. But Godinez was unfazed by that.

She switched levels when going for a single leg against Winchester. After getting hold of the USA wrestler's left leg, she quickly gripped the right and tossed her opponent for a four.

But Winchester is known for a comeback. That is how she won her first world title. Both wrestlers traded stepouts before Winchester managed a takedown to tie the score 5-5. But she needed another point as Godinez led on criteria owing to her four-point move.

At this point, Godinez wanted to keep the pressure up and not let Winchester find an opening.

"[My plan] was to keep moving forward," she said. "I was going to leave everything on the mat. I was giving it all."

But Winchester upped the pressure and got a stepout, almost. Godinez circled back from the danger zone and managed to score a counter takedown when Winchester was hoping for a pushout. After the clock expired, the USA wrestler challenged the call but it was not to be.

As she struggled to hold her tears, Godinez's childhood and sacrifices flashed in front of her eyes.

"I've been through a lot and I feel like when I am on the mat, I put it out there," she said.

As a naturally reserved person, Godinez was struggling to express her feeling but embraced her younger sister Ana GODINEZ GONZALEZ (CAN) after the win. The two have an elder sister, the famous Mixed Martial Arts fighter Lupita, and it was on her insistence that they trained in wrestling.

Despite being late beginners in the sport, both Karla and Ana have been dominating nationally and internationally. Ana is a U23 world champion while Karla is now a Pan-Am champ.

The second gold for Canada came at 59kg when Laurence BEAUREGARD (CAN) beat Ameyalli JESSEL ROJAS (MEX) in their Round 3 head-to-head clash. Both had a win over Xochitl MOTA PETTIS (USA) in the morning session which made their clash a virtual gold-medal bout. Beauregard finished the bout in just 35 seconds, as Jessel had no answer to her leg-lace.

Forrest MOLINARI (USA), blue, won the 65kg gold medal at the Pan-Am Championships. (Photo: UWW / Osvaldo Aguilar)

USA won two gold medals thanks to spirited performances by Forrest MOLINARI (USA) and Skylar GROTE (USA) at 65kg and 72kg.

Molinari, who had begun this year with silver at Ivan Yargiun and gold at Istanbul Ranking Series, claimed the gold with an easy outing in Acapulco. She won all three of her bouts dominating her opponents.

The bout which confirmed her gold in the Nordic-style bracket was over Miki ROWBOTTOM (CAN) in Round 3. She defeated the Canadian via fall.

"I am not entirely thrilled with my performance here," Molinari said. "I am very big on detail and I honestly think that there are a lot of areas I can clean up but it's just good to be back out here, get back to weight, see where I need to clean up."

To the normal eye, it looked close to a perfect performance as she spent only four minutes and 46 seconds on the mat in the morning session. The gold will also help Molinari become the number one ranked wrestler in the weight class.

But that is irrelevant to her as she explained that the Pan-Am title was just a step toward gearing up to win the world title in Belgrade, Serbia later this year.

"Just one more to add to the list," she said. "These tournaments are steps to get to the world title. I know I am the best in the world and I am going to prove it this year. I say it every year but I continue to grow. It's about executing. The things we practice, we need to execute in competitions, being sharp and this is just practice for Worlds to do that."

Skylar GROTE (USA) won the gold at 72kg, her first Pan-Am title at the senior level. (Photo: UWW / Osvaldo Aguilar)

The second gold for the USA at 72kg was won by Grote to give the USA another 25 points in the team title. In a Nordic-style bracket, Grote won the gold over Maria GARCIA BAUTISTA (MEX) by defeating the Mexican wrestler in the Round 3 bout.

Grote, a former junior Pan-Am champion, won 10-0 over Brenda AGUIAR DOS SANTOS (BRA) in Round 1 while got a walkover by an injured Taylor FOLLENSBEE (CAN) in Round 2.

In the bout against Garcia, she began with a takedown and three gut-wrenches before finishing the match with another takedown. Grote did not give up a single point in the competition.

"It's a grinding season," Grote said referring to the US Open title she won five days back. "I am looking forward to the World Team Trial and winning the world title. That's the goal."

Grote has switched between wrestling for the USA and Canada but will be looking to make the USA world team later in June.

"I wanted to prove that I am getting better with every tournament that I compete in. That is my goal. I want to be better than the last tournament and I feel like I am consistently doing that. It's about believing in myself. I gave up on the external validation I used to seek and I know I have what it takes."

The next for the young wrestler will be to make a mark outside of the USA and Grote thinks she is ready to do that, even sending a warning to her rivals.

"I am tough and I am going to wrestle everywhere and I am going out to battle," she said. "Grote isn't going down without a fight."

Yosvanys PENA FLORES (CUB), blue, won the 77kg Greco-Roman weight class. (Photo: UWW / Osvaldo Aguilar)

Guatemala denied

Guatemala will have to wait for its first-ever Pan-Am Greco-Roman champion as David CHOC HUOC (GUA) and Reinier JIMENEZ TERRY (GUA) both suffered losses in the 77kg and 82kg finals respectively.

Cuba won two gold medals Friday when Yosvanys PENA FLORES (CUB) defeated Choc 7-2 in the 77kg final while Daniel GREGORICH HECHAVARRIA (CUB) humbled Johan BATISTA (DOM) 9-0 in the 87kg final.

The third gold medal went to local star Daniel VICENTE GOMEZ (MEX) who handed Reinier JIMENEZ TERRY (GUA) a 1-1 defeat, avenging the loss against the Guatemala wrestler from the morning session.

Pena's bouts were not high scoring but his run to the final won controlled wins. In the final, he was awarded a point for Choc's passivity. He managed to score a four-pointer from par terre and then added two more points. Choc did score a reversal and then a point in the second period but that was not enough.

This was the second straight year that Choc had missed the chance to create history as in 2021 he lost the final to Benjamin PROVISOR (USA) at the home Pan-Am Championships.

Daniel GREGORICH HECHAVARRIA (CUB) won his second Pan-Am title. (Photo: UWW / Osvaldo Aguilar)

Cuba's second gold of the day went to two-time U23 world medalist Gregorich who defeated Batista with two stepouts and three guts from par terre. The Tokyo Olympian now has two Pan-Am titles, four years after he won the first.

His gold helped Cuba gain some valubale points in the team title race which they were destined to finished second.

But Vicente 1-1 win over two-time Pan-Am bronze medalist Jimenez in the 82kg final helped Mexico stay ahead in the team title race which was won by the USA with 165 points, 17 more than second-placed Mexico. Cuba had 101 points to finish third.

Vicente had suffered a 10-1 loss to Jimenez in the morning session but he avenged that when it mattered the most in the gold medal bout. Vincente and Jimenez exchanged inactivity points in either period of the final with the Mexcian winning 1-1 on criteria.

The remaining six women's wrestling and two freestyle weight classes will be in action Saturday in Acapulco, Mexico.

RESULTS

Women's Wrestling

55kg
GOLD: Karla GODINEZ GONZALEZ (CAN) df. Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA), 8-5

BRONZE: Lucia YEPEZ GUZMAN (ECU) df. Nadia TRUJILLANO LA ROSA (PER), 10-0

59kg
GOLD: Laurence BEAUREGARD (CAN)
SILVER: Ameyalli JESSEL ROJAS (MEX)
BRONZE: Xochitl MOTA PETTIS (USA)

Key Match: Laurence BEAUREGARD (CAN) df. Ameyalli JESSEL ROJAS (MEX), 10-0 in Round 3

65kg
GOLD: Forrest MOLINARI (USA)
SILVER: Miki ROWBOTTOM (CAN)
BRONZE: Atzimba LANDAVERDE MORENO (MEX)

Key Match: Forrest MOLINARI (USA) df. Miki ROWBOTTOM (CAN), via fall in Round 3

72kg
GOLD: Skylar GROTE (USA)
SILVER: Brenda AGUIAR DOS SANTOS (BRA)
BRONZE: Maria GARCIA BAUTISTA (MEX)

Key Match: Skylar GROTE (USA) df. Brenda AGUIAR DOS SANTOS (BRA), 10-0 in Round 1

Greco-Roman

77kg
GOLD: Yosvanys PENA FLORES (CUB) df. David CHOC HUOC (GUA), 7-2

BRONZE: Joilson DE BRITO RAMOS JUNIOR (BRA) df. John YEATS (CAN), 8-0
BRONZE: Ravaughn PERKINS (USA) df. Emmanuel BENITEZ CASTRO (MEX), 3-2

82kg
GOLD: Daniel VICENTE GOMEZ (MEX) df. Reinier JIMENEZ TERRY (GUA), 1-1

BRONZE: Tyler CUNNINGHAM (USA) df. Nestor TAFUR (COL), 6-0 via VCA

87kg
GOLD: Daniel GREGORICH HECHAVARRIA (CUB) df. Johan BATISTA (DOM), 9-0

BRONZE: Carlos MUNOZ JARAMILLO (COL) df. Ariel ALFONSO RODRIGUEZ (HON), 11-3
BRONZE: Alfonso LEYVA YEPEZ (MEX) df. Andre RAMOS PINTO (BRA), 7-5

#WrestleParis

Paris Olympics in Photos: Japan show, Lopez retirement and shockers

Wednesday, December 18, 2024 - 12:55 By Vinay Siwach

PARIS (December 18) -- The 2024 Paris Olympic Games turned out to be history in wrestling. From surprise winners to retirements, there was a lot. The legend of Mijain LOPEZ (CUB) grew, first-time Olympians made it to the podium and a few medal hopefuls went empty-handed.

Here's a trip down the memory lane with photos:

Mijain LOPEZ (CUB)

In the 128-year history of the Summer Olympics, no athlete had ever won five gold medals in the same event in any sport. Until Mijain LOPEZ (CUB) did it in Paris. The Greco-Roman legend put on a show in Paris and won four bouts to win the gold medal.

The 41-year-old went around the Champs de Mars Arena celebrating with anyone and everyone. There will be no sixth gold as Lopez took off his wrestling shoes and left them in the middle of the mat, the universal sign of a wrestler's decision to end his career. Lopez was at his best at describing his five gold medals: "Beijing: youth. London: transcendence. Rio: effort. Tokyo: sacrifice. Paris: joy."

Mijain LOPEZ (CUB)

The only time Mijain LOPEZ (CUB) looked troubled in Paris was when Sahab SHARIATI (AZE), a veteran himself at 35, managed to lift the Cuban off the mat. No one else managed to do this. Even world champion Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI), who lost to Lopez in the quarterfinals, decided not to force the par terre and resume the bout in standing. Shariati, however, could not score. Lopez put on a stiff resistance and when Shariati tried to force a roll, Lopez nimbly stepped over and gained control for a one-point reversal.

Vinesh PHOGAT (IND)

The Paris Olympics had not thrown any big surprises on day one. However, day two could not have had a more chaotic start. Yui SUSAKI (JPN), unbeaten internationally and going for her second straight Olympic gold, was stunned in the opening round itself. Susaki had not given up a single point in Tokyo. However, VINESH (IND) secured a 3-2 win in 50kg. The shock in Susaki's eyes and Vinesh's disbelief tell the story of the match, Susaki's first-ever loss.

Susaki would come back to win a bronze medal but the situation changed dramatically for Vinesh as she failed to make the 50kg weight on second day and was disqualified.

Hassan YAZDANI (IRI)

As far as heartbreaks go, Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) and Iran suffered a big one. For long, Yazdani was troubled by his shoulder, and he got it operated three months before the Olympics. He seemed well at the Budapest Ranking Series and was the favorite to win gold in Paris. All seemed well for Yazdani as he reached the final. But that was it.

Wrestling Magomed RAMAZANOV (BUL) in the 86kg final, Yazdani dislocated his shoulder moments after the start of the final. Throughout the final, Yazdani took several medical timeouts and could not wrestle to his potential. He ended up with another silver, his second in two successive Olympics.

Akari FUJINAMI (JPN)

Yui SUSAKI (JPN) could not but Paris was Japan's Olympics in wrestling. One of its biggest stars was Akari FUJINAMI (JPN), who won the gold medal at 53kg at the age of 20 years. When she won the final, she had a 137-bout winning streak. She gave up only two points in the tournament. Fujinami is the phenom.

Kotaro KIYOOKA (JPN)

Japan won eight gold medals at the Paris Olympics. Kiyooka KIYOOKA (JPN), who won gold at 65kg, started wrestling at age three at a kids wrestling club in Kochi City on the central island of Shikoku. It was there he first met the two-year-old daughter of the club's coach. Her name is Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN), and she won the women's 57kg gold the previous day.

Japan finished its best-ever tournament with a total of eight golds, one silver and two bronzes from the 13 weight classes in which the country had qualified. With Kiyooka's victory, Nippon Sports Science University students and alumni combined for five golds, more than double any other country.

Sakura MOTOKI (JPN)

Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) also won gold. But at one point she was in trouble of losing her semifinal. Trailing against Grace BULLEN (NOR), Motoki was stuck in a trip from outside. A throw would have ended her dream of winning gold. Bullen was ready to create history...

Sakura MOTOKI (JPN)

... But Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) countered it. And did it in a way that stunned the arena. As Grace BULLEN (NOR) was putting forward pressure, Motoki locked her arms and threw her over. Bullen landed on her back and Motoki kept her on the mat to secure a fall. When all was looking good for Bullen, Motoki found a way to upset her.

Grace BULLEN (NOR)

Grace BULLEN (NOR) did create history eventually. She defeated Ana GODINEZ (CAN) in the 62kg bronze medal and became Norway's first Olympic medalist in women's wrestling. Bullen always had the potential to be an Olympic medalist, but it took a change of environment, coaches, and weight classes to finally be one.

Anastasia NICHITA (MDA)

Moldova also had some Olympic history in wrestling. Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) was all but out of her semifinal against Kexin HONG (CHN) who was gut-wrenching Nichita and led 7-0. But Nichita stepped over and stopped another attempt of Hong's turn. And that's when she pinned Hong and entered the 57kg final, becoming Moldova's first-ever Olympic medalist.

Islam DUDAEV (ALB)

In Freestyle, there was more history. Islam DUDAEV (ALB) won a bronze medal at 65kg a day after Cherman VALIEV (ALB) won the same medal at 74kg. While Valiev was the first-ever Olympic medalist for Albania in any sport, Valiev too was part of this history. And he won the bronze medal with a stunning last-second win over world champion Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN).

Zhan BELENIUK (UKR)

There were a slew of retirements as well in Paris. Apart from the aforementioned Lopez's retirement, another major one was that of Zhan BELENUIK (UKR). He won a bronze medal at 87kg in Greco-Roman, completing his set of medals. Beleniuk won a silver medal in 2016 Rio Games, improved to gold medal in Tokyo 2020 and capped off his career with bronze. His name will forever be etched in the Ukrainian history.

Taha AKGUL (TUR)

Taha AKGUL (TUR) also retired. The 2016 Rio Olympic champion in Freestyle 125kg added bronze in Tokyo and Paris before leaving his shoes on the mat. In a rare event, Aiaal LAZAREV (KGZ), Akgul's opponent in the bronze medal bout, also removed his shoes. A double retirement at Olympics.

Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO)

A few moments after the double retirement at 125kg, the final of the weight class was pure drama and thrill. Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) was up against world champion Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) for the gold medal. Petriasvhili had lost the Tokyo final to Gable STEVESON (USA) in the final second when the American scored a takedown to beat the Georgian.

Petriashvili was so determined this time that he came out all guns blazing. He scored a takedown and got Zare in par terre and rolled him for a 10-0 superiority win. Zare was stunned and so was everyone in the arena. Iran challenged the final turn and as it turned out, Zare's head was indeed outside the zone before the final turn. The score was changed to 8-0 and now Petriashvili had to do it again.

Zare, with his high-paced wrestler, troubled Petriashvili who was warned for fleeing and passivity. But call it destiny if you may, Petriashvili won the final 10-9 and the gold medal which eluded him and left a giant like Petriashvili crying at the podium in Tokyo.

He celebrated, as seen in the photo, gesturing towards Zare as if he is wearing the crown, a celebration made popular by Zare himself.

Taha AKGUL (TUR)

Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) had long been one-half of an elite duo in the 125kg class with rival Taha AKGUL (TUR). The two had a stranglehold on the global title from 2014 to 2019, until Gable STEVESON (USA) broke the streak at the Tokyo Olympics and Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) won the world title in 2021. There will be no more battles between the two. Akgul retired after winning the bronze medal at the Paris Olympics in August. Akgul celebrated his 15-year rivalry with Petriashvili and said that both of them are 'legends'. Here's Petriashvili giving a send off to Akgul on the podium.

Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN)

More podium stories from Paris. Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN), Bahrain's first-ever wrestling champion, proudly stands on top after winning gold at 97kg. Two of the biggest names at 97kg are missing from this. We will let you take a guess.

Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI)

That's Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) after winning the gold medal in Greco-Roman 97kg. But his coach Hassan HOSSEIN ZADEH sneaked past the security and joined him on the podium.

Parviz NASIBOV (UKR)

Parviz NASIBOV (UKR), with one open eye, won silver in GR 67kg weight class and at the podium, he brought the cutest singlet. He dedicated his medal to his newborn son. Things that matter!

Podium

That's a selfie from the Greco-Roman 77kg podium. Maybe a retake?

Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ)

The Greco-Roman 77kg weight class was wild. Nao KUSAKA (JPN) won gold but no one expected Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ) to his opponent in the final. But Zhadrayev pulled out a performance of lifetime to reach there. His biggest win was over world champion and returning Olympic silver medalist Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ). Here he is throwing Makhmudov using the front lock which sealed the bout for him.

Razambek JAMALOV (UZB)

Another top move from Paris and what courage from Razambek JAMALOV (UZB) to pull it off. Wrestling in the 74kg final, Jamalov got Daichi TAKATANI (JPN) in the cradle and secured a first-period fall to win the gold medal.

Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI)

There are always some great camaraderie among wrestlers. Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) displayed that when he carried Sabah SAHRIATI (AZE) on his shoulders after the latter retired.

The 130kg wrestler won bronze after beating Shariati. Instead of celebrating, he saw Shariati, a bronze medalist from 2016 Rio Olympics, leave his shoes on the mat to mark his retirement from the sport. As he was about to leave the mat, Mirzazadeh congratulated Shariati and lifted him on his shoulder for a lap on the mat. As the crowd cheered, Mirzazadeh moved swiftly in a circle, carrying an over 130kg wrestler to give a fitting end to a long career. But Mirzazadeh's gesture towards Shariati has a deeper reason. Shariati was born in Kurdistan, Iran and wrestled for Iran before wrestling for Azerbaijan from 2013. Soon after the first lap, even the Iranian coaches joined them and all of them completed another lap as the Champs de Mars Arena crowd gave them thunderous applause.

DPR Korea

Two DPR Korea wrestler congratulating each other after they won their respective bouts. Sol gum PAK (PRK) had defeated Nisha DAHIYA (IND) at 68kg while Se ung RI (PRK) had stunned Victor CIOBANU (MDA) in Greco-Roman 60kg and both met as they got off the mat. The two would later go on two win bronze medals in their respective weight classes as Pak became the first woman from DPR Korea to win an Olympic wrestling medal.

Arkadiusz KULYNYCZ (POL)

Olympics are hard. Arkadiusz KULYNYCZ (POL) gives an example.

Godinez stuns 2 world champs for Pan-Am title

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Paris Olympics in Photos: Japan show, Lopez retirement and shockers