#GuatemalaCityWrestle

Junior Pan Ams Set for Guatemala

By Taylor Miller

En espanol

Los Campeonatos Panamericanos Junior están programados para el 5 al 7 de junio, en el gimnasio nacional Teodoro Palacios Flores en la ciudad de Guatemala, Guatemala.

En los tres estilos olímpicos, el campo incluye ocho medallistas de los Campeonatos Mundial o los Juegos Olímpicos de la Juventud, con seis registrados en el estilo libre femenino. También hay varios campeones y medallistas panamericanos listos para competir en los campeonatos continentales.

Estilo libre masculino

Carson LEE (CAN) es el líder en logros individuales con una medalla de bronce del Campeonato mundial cadete de 2018. Buscará el título en 97 kg.

Solo hay uno campeón panamericano junior que regresara, Jonathan PRATA ALAS (ARG), quien gano el título en 57 kg el año pasado. Se le unieron dos campeones del Cadete Pan Am de 57 kg, entre ellos Lucas NAVARRETE VIDAL (ECU) y Roberto ALEJANDRO BLANCO (MEX).

Navarrete gano en 2016, y Alejandro clamo su título en 2017.

Además de Alejandro, hay dos otros campeones del Cadete Pan Am representando a México la próxima semana, incluyendo Luis LOPEZ VASQUEZ en 97 kg and Luis OROZCO CORTEZ en 125 kg. 

Peyton ROBB (USA), un campeón panamericano cadete en estilo libre masculino y grecorromana, está registrado por 70  kg.

Yendo a su segundo campeonato continental del ano es Cristian SOLENZAL LOPEZ (CUB), quien ganó una medalla de plata en los Campeonatos Panamericanos Senior de 2019. Competirá en 65 kg en el estilo libre masculino y en 67 kg en grecorromana.

La competición en estilo libre masculino empieza el 7 de junio.

Estilo libre femenina

La categoría de peso de 50 kg parece ser la más dura en todo el torneo, con tres medallistas mundiales.

En frente es la campeona mundial cadete y la campeona de los Juegos Olímpicos de la Juventud Emily SHILSON (USA). Ella también ganó una medalla de plata en los Campeonatos Mundiales de Cadete de 2017 y medallas de oro en los Campeonatos Panamericanos Cadete en 2017 y 2018.

Buscando a desafiarla es Julieta MARTINEZ GONZALEZ (MEX) and Lucia YEPEZ GUZMAN (ECU). Las dos tienen medallas de bronce de los Campeonatos Mundiales Cadetes de 2017.

Martínez González es una campeona panamericano cadete de 2017, y Yépez Guzmán gano títulos en los niveles de U15 y Cadete.

También en el campo de 50 kg es campeona panamericano junior de 2017 Alexia SEAL (CAN).

Martínez González no es la única campeona panamericano representando a México. También hay Atzimba LANDAVERDE MORENO (MEX), quien quiere defender su título panamericano junior en 68 kg.

Todas de las ocho luchadoras de México han Ganado una medalla panamericano.

Además de Shilson, E.E.U.U. tiene otra medallista mundial en Tiare IKEI (USA), quien competirá en 53 kg. Ella gano una medalla de bronce el año pasado en los Mundiales Cadetes.

En los pesos superiores, hay dos medallistas de los Juegos Olímpicos de la Juventud, incluyendo campeona Milaimys MARIN POTRILLE (CUB) en 76 kg y medallista de plata Linda MACHUCA (ARG) en 72 kg.

Katherine RENTERIA CUERO (COL) regresa a defender su título panamericano junior en 59 kg.

La competición en estilo libre femenina empieza el 6 de junio.

Grecorromana

El único medallista mundial en grecorromana es Nestor DELGADO RAMIREZ (MEX), quien va competir en 55 kg. Delgado posee una medalla de plata de los Campeonatos Mundiales Cadetes de 2016. También termino en quinto lugar en 2015.

También ganó una medalla de oro en los Campeonatos Panamericanos Cadetes en 2016 y una medalla de plata en los Campeonatos Panamericanos Junior el año pasado.

Hay siete otros quien han ganado títulos panamericanos.

El único campeón Panamericano Junior que regresa es Andrés CORTES HERRERA (COL). Busca defender su título en los 60 kg.

Los seis campeones Cadete Panamericanos en el campo representan a México o Estados Unidos: Miguel UGALDE AGUILAR (MEX) en 60 kg, Hunter LEWIS (USA) en 63 kg, Diego MARTINEZ DE LEIJA (MEX) en 72 kg, Calvin GERMINARO (USA) en 72 kg, Arturo CAMACHO VALENCIANO (MEX) en 82 kg and Jesus LOPEZ NINO (MEX) en 87 kg.

Hay tres medallistas de Pan Am Senior registrados para la próxima semana, incluyendo campeón de 2019 Gabriel ROSILLO KINDELAN (CUB) en 97 kg, subcampeón en estilo libre masculino de 2019 Cristian SOLENZAL LOPEZ (CUB) en 65 kg y subcampeón de 2018 Gerardo OLIVA MONTES (PER) en 67 kg.

Solenzal Lopez competirá en estilo libre masculino y grecorromana.

El competición grecorromana empieza el 5 de junio.

 

 

 

 

 

In English

The Junior Pan American Championships are set for next week, June 5-7, Teodoro Palacios Flores National Gym in Guatemala City, Guatemala.

Across all three Olympic styles, the field includes eight World or Youth Olympic Games medalists, with six registered in women’s freestyle. There are also several past Pan American champions and medalists ready to compete at the continental championships.

Men’s Freestyle

Carson LEE (CAN) leads the field in individual accomplishments, with a 2018 Cadet World bronze medal to his name. He’ll seek the title at 79 kg.

There is only one returning Junior Pan American champion, Jonathan PRATA ALAS (ARG), who won the title at 57 kg last year. He is joined by two past Cadet Pan Am champions at 57 kg, including Lucas NAVARRETE VIDAL (ECU) and Roberto ALEJANDRO BLANCO (MEX).

Navarrete Vidal won in 2016, while Alejandro Blanco claimed his title in 2017.

In addition to Alejandro Blanco, there are two other Cadet Pan Am champs representing Mexico next week, Luis LOPEZ VASQUEZ at 97 kg and Luis OROZCO CORTEZ at 125 kg.  

Peyton ROBB (USA), a 2017 Cadet Pan American champion in freestyle and Greco-Roman, is registered at 70 kg. He is the only wrestler entered that has won titles in both styles.

Heading to his second continental championships of the year is Cristian SOLENZAL LOPEZ (CUB), who won silver at the 2019 Senior Pan American Championships. He will compete at 65 kg in freestyle and 67 kg in Greco-Roman.

The men’s freestyle competition will take place on June 7.

Women’s Freestyle

The 50 kg weight class seems to be the toughest in the entire tournament, featuring three World medalists.

Leading the pack is 2018 Cadet World and Youth Olympic Games champion Emily SHILSON (USA). She is also a 2017 Cadet World silver medalist and won Cadet Pan Am championships in 2017 and 2018.  

Looking to challenge her is Julieta MARTINEZ GONZALEZ (MEX) and Lucia YEPEZ GUZMAN (ECU). Both won bronzes at the 2017 Cadet World Championships.

Martinez Gonzalez is a 2017 Cadet Pan Am champion, and Yepez Guzman won U15 and Cadet Pan Am titles in 2016.

Also lurking at 50 kg is 2017 Junior Pan Am champion Alexia SEAL (CAN).

Martinez Gonzalez is not the only Pan Am champion representing Mexico. Her teammate Atzimba LANDAVERDE MORENO (MEX) looks to defend her 2018 Junior Pan Am title at 68 kg.

Of note, all eight of Mexico’s entrants in women’s freestyle have won at least one medal at a Pan American Championships.

In addition to Shilson, the USA boasts another World medalist in Tiare IKEI (USA), who will compete at 53 kg.

In the upper weights, there are two Youth Olympic Games medalists, including 2018 champion Milaimys MARIN POTRILLE (CUB) at 76 kg and 2018 silver medalist Linda MACHUCA (ARG) at 72 kg.

At 59 kg, be on the lookout for returning Junior Pan Am champion Katherine RENTERIA CUERO (COL).

The women’s freestyle competition will take place June 6.  

Greco-Roman

The lone World medalist in Greco-Roman is Nestor DELGADO RAMIREZ (MEX), who is slated to wrestle at 55 kg. Delgado won World silver at the 2016 Cadet World Championships. He also registered a fifth-place finish at the 2015 Cadet World Championships.

In addition to his World silver, Delgado owns a gold from the 2016 Cadet Pan American Championships and silver from last year’s Junior Pan American Championships in Brazil.

Apart from Delgado, seven others have won Cadet or Junior Pan Am titles.

The only returning Junior Pan American champion is Andres CORTES HERRERA (COL). He looks to defend his title at 60 kg.

The six Cadet Pan American champions in the field represent either Mexico or USA: Miguel UGALDE AGUILAR (MEX) at 60 kg, Hunter LEWIS (USA) at 63 kg, Diego MARTINEZ DE LEIJA (MEX) at 72 kg, Calvin GERMINARO (USA) at 72 kg, Arturo CAMACHO VALENCIANO (MEX) at 82 kg and Jesus LOPEZ NINO (MEX) at 87 kg.

There are three Senior Pan Am medalists registered for next week, including 2019 champion Gabriel ROSILLO KINDELAN (CUB) at 97 kg, 2019 runner-up in freestyle Cristian SOLENZAL LOPEZ (CUB) at 65 kg and 2018 runner-up Gerardo OLIVA MONTES (PER) at 67 kg.

Solenzal Lopez will compete in both Greco-Roman and men’s freestyle.

The Greco-Roman competition will take place on June 5.

#WrestleTirana

Ukraine Wins Team Title after Record Gold Haul

By Vinay Siwach

TIRANA, Albania (April 24) -- After three gold medals on Thursday, Ukraine added three more in Women's Wresting on Friday to win the team title at the European Championships in Tirana.

Two young stars in Mariia YEFREMOVA (UKR) and Nadiia SOKOLOVSKA (UKR) and two-time Olympic medalist Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) were the three champions for Ukraine. The six gold medals is record in the country's history, improving on last year's performance of four golds.

UWW Plus

It also won a silver and a bronze medals to finish with 193 points, well ahead of second-placed Turkiye which had 122 points. Poland finished third with 114 points.

"This performance for Ukraine was historic because we’ve never had a result like this before," Koliadenko said. "We’ve broken our previous record. Our previous record was seven finals and four golds. The team gave it their all. I’m so happy for the whole team."

Magdalena GLODEK LISZEWSKA (POL) won gold for Poland at 57kg while Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL) earned at silver at 76kg which helped the country to third place. With the gold medal, Glodek became the first wrestler from Poland to win gold at European Championships in six years and first in Women's Wrestling in nine years.

The one remaining gold, at 62kg, was won by Grace BULLEN (NOR) in dramatic fashion, coming back from 9-0 down to pin Amina TANDELOVA (UWW).

Yefremova, 19, got the session to a good start for Ukraine with a win over 34-year-old defending champion Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) in a tight 53kg final. Prevolaraki, who had won gold in 2025 on her 14th attempt, looked good to repeat when she got the first points on board in the final through Yefremova's passivity.

But in the second period, Yefremova used a fireman's carry to put Prevolaraki's back on the mat for two points. While she did not get the fall, Yefremova's 2-1 lead was enough for her to defend even as Prevolaraki made continuous attacks.

"Such intense emotions for me," Yefremova said. "I came here convinced I’d win a medal, but I didn’t think I’d make it to the final because I knew there were more experienced athletes here. But I still had a little bit of hope in myself that I could reach the final and win that gold. I didn’t think it would all turn out this way for me."

Yefremova, a former U17 world champion and U20 world silver medalist, was making waves in Women's Wrestling before being suspended for 18 months a positive dope test.

"I can’t say I’m particularly worried about the fact that the wrestlers are more experienced than me," she said. "I’m just used to forging ahead, regardless of the obstacles. I’ve got a goal, and I’m going for it. I don’t really have anything else on my mind."

Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR)Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) celebrates after winning the 65kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Jake Kirkman)

Koliadenko earned her fourth European title without giving up a single point throughout the tournament, a fact that left even her surprised. After two technical superiority wins in the quarterfinal and semifinal, Koliadenko faced world silver medalist Alina KASABIEVA (UWW) in the 65kg final. She controlled the final throughout and forged a 9-0 victory.

"I hadn’t planned on finishing with a clean slate -- not losing a single point throughout this European Championship. It went quite smoothly for me," Koliadenko said.

The 27-year-old first wrestled at the European Championships in 2020, winning a bronze medal. Her gold medals came in 2021, 2023, 2024 and 2026. In 2025, she finished with a bronze as well, taking her total medal count to six.

"I suppose experience does play a part, and over the years every competition becomes quite a challenge psychologically," she said. "Physically, you’re always prepared, but mentally it’s a bit tough. Especially given the rather uncomfortable situation in Ukraine at the moment and all of that affects our results."

Nadiia SOKOLOVSKA (UKR)Nadiia SOKOLOVSKA (UKR) scores exposure points on Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL) in the 72kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

At 72kg, U20 and U23 world champion Sokolovska found a way to beat Choluj despite trailing for four points. Choluj was put on activity clock but she used a double-leg attack during the 30-second period to score a takedown which was scored two points.

As the match progressed Choluj found it difficult to answer the pressure from Sokolovska who managed a go-behind to score her first point before getting two more for exposure in the same scramble to lead 4-2 with 1:34 remaining.

Choluj challenged the call but it was a takedown and a clear cradle with no foul. The lost challenge added one more point to Sokolovska's score. Choluj managed a stepout with 28 seconds left but failed to score a takedown in the remaining time which could have given her the criteria victory.

Sokolovska, trained by her Greco-Roman wrestler father, won the gold at her debut European Championships to cap off a memorable tournament for Ukraine.

Apart the these three, Oksana LIVACH (UKR), Mariia VYNNYK (UKR) and Anastasiya ALPYEYEVA (UKR) were the other three champions for Ukraine in Tirana.

Glodek Ends Poland's Wait

Poland's gold medal winner Glodek who denied Elvira SULEYMAN (TUR), who finished with a silver medal for a second time in a row.

After both wrestlers exchanged passivity points, Suleyman led 1-1 on criteria as her point was the latest. But Glodek used a strong snapdown to score a quick takedown and lead 3-1.

Suleyman tried her best to score a match-winning takedown including an arm throw but landed on her own back to give two more points to Glodek who ended a six-year wait for Poland to have a European champion in wrestling.

For Poland, Maogmedmurad GAZHIEV (POL) had won gold in Freestyle in 2020 while Monika MICHALIK (POL) won gold in Women's Wrestling in 2017.

 

Photo

RESULTS

53kg
GOLD: Mariia YEFREMOVA (UKR) df. Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE), 2-1

BRONZE: Natalia MALYSHEVA (UWW) df. Vanesa KALADZINSKAYA (UWW), via inj. def.
BRONZE: Annika WENDLE (GER) df. Roksana ZASINA (POL), via fall (2-3)

57kg
GOLD: Magdalena GLODEK LISZEWSKA (POL) df. Elvira SULEYMAN (TUR), 5-1

BRONZE: Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE) df. Aryna DZEMCHANKA MARTYNAVA (UWW), via fall
BRONZE: Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR) df. Evelina HULTHEN (SWE), via fall

62kg
GOLD: Grace BULLEN (NOR) df. Amina TANDELOVA (UWW), via fall (5-9)

BRONZE: Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL) df. Johanna LINDBORG (SWE), 3-1
BRONZE: Naemi LEISTNER (GER) df. Ruzanna MAMMADOVA (AZE), 5-1

65kg
GOLD: Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) df. Alina KASABIEVA (UWW), 9-0

BRONZE: Natalia KUBATY (POL) df. Iris THIEBAUX (FRA), 11-6
BRONZE: Beyza AKKUS (TUR) df. Birgul SOLTANOVA (AZE), 4-2

72kg
GOLD: Nadiia SOKOLOVSKA (UKR) df. Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL), 5-3

BRONZE: Kristina BRATCHIKOVA (UWW) df. Zsuzsanna MOLNAR (SVK), 3-0
BRONZE: Buse TOSUN (TUR) df. Karolina POK (HUN), 9-6