#WrestleGuatemala

Mejia Castillo Becomes Honduras' First Senior Pan-American Champ

Friday, May 28, 2021 - 13:51 By Taylor Miller

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GUATEMALA, Guatemala – For the first time in history, an athlete from Honduras will bring home a Senior Pan American gold medal, thanks to Kevin MEJIA CASTILLO (HON), who dominated the 97kg bracket in Greco-Roman on Thursday at the 2021 Pan American Championships. 

En route to his title, Mejia had to defeat young, up-and-coming American Braxton AMOS (USA) twice today, once in pool action and later in the final. Mejia controlled both matches, winning both in spectacular 9-0 fashion. The win marks his fifth Pan American medal with the last a bronze from the 209 Pan Am Championships. 

Taking the crown at 60kg was Dicther TORO CASTANEDA (COL), who took down 2020 Olympian Ildar HAFIZOV (USA) in the finals. Toro Castaneda led 5-0 at the break before sealing the match with exposure points after being put down in par terre. The Colombian won 7-3. This is his second-consecutive Pan Am title. He also owns a silver medal from the 2019 Pan American Games in Lima. 
Andres MONTANO ARROYO (ECU) also won his fifth Pan Am gold medal, defeating Randon MIRANDA (USA) for the second time today.

Earlier in the day, Montano Arroyo shut out Miranda, 5-0, but in the finals, Miranda closed the gap but it was not enough as Montano Arroyo ultimately won 7-6. Montano Arroyo adds to his collection of titles, including three Pan Am Championships golds (2017, 2019, 2021) and two Pan Am Games golds (2015, 2019). 
 

Xavier JOHNSON (USA) throws Nilton SOTO GARCIA (PER) in their quarterfinal meeting. (Photo: Tony Rotundo)

Two athletes from the United States scored titles on Thursday: Xavier JOHNSON (USA) and Jamel JOHNSON (USA) at 67kg and 72kg, respectively. 

X. Johnson dominated Enyer FELICIANO (DOM) in just 1:12 with three huge throws, including a five-pointer for an 11-0 win in the 67kg finals. This is his first international gold medal and first appearance at the Pan American Championships. 

J. Johnson competed at 72kg, where he suffered an injury in one of his earlier bouts. However, he overcame the challenge to win the weight in round-robin action. In his last match of the day, J. Johnson was trailing 5-0 to Gerardo OLIVA MONTES (PER) but registered two four-point throws to emerge victorious, 8-5.  
 


Leo SANTANA HEREDIA (DOM) scores a fall against Steven RIANO CATANO (COL) in their opening-round meeting. (Photo: Tony Rotundo)

At heavyweight, Leo SANTANA HEREDIA (DOM) collected his third Pan Am medal, winning gold at 130kg. In the finals, he controlled Donald LONGENDYKE (USA) in a low-scoring match to win 3-0. Santana Heredia also has bronze medals from the 2019 Pan Am Games and the 2020 Pan Am Championships. 

The competition continues tomorrow with the Greco-Roman and women’s freestyle. Wrestling begins at 12 p.m. local time. Fans can watch all the action live at uww.org.

GUATEMALA, Guatemala – Por la primera vez, un atleta de Honduras logró una medalla de oro panamericana en la categoría Senior cuando Kevin MEJIA CASTILLO (HON) dominó la competencia en 97 kg en estilo grecorromana el jueves en el Campeonato Panamericano. 
Mejia Castillo derroto a Braxton AMOS (USA) dos veces el jueves, primero en el acción pool y luego en el final. Los dos veces, Mejia Castillo ganó 9-0. Esto marca su quinta medalla panamericana. La última vino en 2019 cuando metió una medalla de bronce.  

En 60 kg, Dicther TORO CASTANEDA (COL) ganó el gran premio. En el final, encontró al olímpico estadounidense Ildar HAFIZOV (USA). Toro Castaneda estaba ganando 5-0 en el periodo del descanso, y en el segundo periodo, aprovechó a una situación para sumar más puntos y sellar la victoria, 7-3. Esta es su segunda victoria consecutiva en el campeonato panamericano. Ganó la misma categoría en 2020. También tiene una medalla de plata de los los Juegos Panamericanos de Lima 2019.

Andres MONTANO ARROYO (ECU) ganó su quinta medalla de oro panamericana, derrotando a Randon MIRANDA (USA) por la segunda vez del día. Esta mañana, Montano Arroyo ganó 5-0 contra Miranda, pero en la final de 63 kg Miranda cerró la brecha pero no fue suficiente. Montano Arroyo salió victorioso, 7-6. Ahora, Montano Arroyo tiene tres oros en campeonatos panamericanos (2017, 2019, 2021) y dos oros de los juegos panamericanos (2015, 2019). 
Dos estadounidenses ganaron medallas de oro: Xavier JOHNSON (USA) y Jamel JOHNSON (USA) en las categorías 67 kg y 72 kg. 

X. Johnson dominó a Enyer FELICIANO (DOM) en solo 1:12 con tres lanzamientos para terminar con una victoria, 11-0, en el final de 67 kg. Es la primera medalla de oro internacional para él y fue su debut panamericano. 

J. Johnson compitió en 72 kg donde sufrió una herida más temprano en el día, pero él se la superó para ganar la categoría. Fue un grupo de round robin. En su final combate del día, J. Johnson estaba perdiendo contra Gerardo OLIVA MONTES (PER), pero usó dos lanzamientos valiendo cuatro puntos para asegurar el oro, 8-5. 

En 130 kg, Leo SANTANA HEREDIA (DOM) recibió su tercera medalla panamericana, ganando el oro. En el final, derrotó a Donald LONGENDYKE (USA) en un combate de pocos puntos pero Santana Heredia controló el partido para ganar 3-0. También tiene dos medallas de bronce de los Juegos Panamericanos de Lima 2019 y del campeonato panamericano de 2020. 
La competencia sigue mañana con el estile grecorromana y el estil femenino. Empieza a las 12 p.m. hora local. Se puede ver toda la acción en uww.org. 

Greco-Roman Results

60kg
GOLD – Dicther TORO CASTANEDA (COL) df. Ildar HAFIZOV (USA), 7-3
BRONZE – Maikol JOSEFA (DOM) df. Victor LOPEZ MIRANDA (ESA), 9-0
BRONZE – Marat GARIPOV (BRA) df. Joshua MEDINA (PUR), 9-0

63kg
GOLD – Andres MONTANO ARROYO (ECU) df. Randon MIRANDA (USA), 7-6
BRONZE – Emerson FELIPE ORDONEZ (GUA) df. Joao BENAVIDES ROCHABRUN (PER), 6-4
 

67kg
GOLD – Xavier JOHNSON (USA) df. Enyer FELICIANO (DOM), 11-0
BRONZE – Diego MARTINEZ DE LEIJA (MEX) df. Juan PALMA FRANCIS (ECU), 9-0
BRONZE – Calebe CORREA FERREIRA (BRA) df. Nilton SOTO GARCIA (PER), 6-1

72kg
GOLD – Jamel JOHNSON (USA)
SILVER – Juan RUIZ LUGO (MEX)
BRONZE – Carlos FUENTES PERALTA (GUA)

97kg
GOLD – Kevin MEJIA CASTILLO (HON) df. Braxton AMOS (USA), 9-0
BRONZE – Igor ALVES DE QUEIROZ (BRA) df. Ricardo MANCILLA GALINDO (MEX), 7-3

130kg
GOLD – Leo SANTANA HEREDIA (DOM) df. Donald LONGENDYKE (USA), 3-0
BRONZE – Isaque MEDEIROS CONSERVA (BRA) df. Luis ROMAN BARRIOS (MEX), fall

#WrestleTirana

U23 Worlds: Iran, Moldova split Greco golds

Thursday, October 24, 2024 - 05:48 By Vinay Siwach

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TIRANA, Albania (October 23) -- Iran and Moldova emerged as the top nations on the third day of the U23 World Championships in Tirana, Albania with them winning two gold medals each. Iran won the team title with 149 points with yet another incredible performance. Georgia followed with a second-place finish with 121 points and Armenia was third with 93 points.

Iran's first gold medal of the day came from U20 world champion Ali AHMADI VAFA (IRI) as he added the U23 world title to his growing resume. He won the U17 world title in 2022.

The 19-year-old was up against European silver medalist Rashad MAMMADOV (AZE) in the final but apart from par terre in the first period, he never looked in trouble. Mammadov got two points for a correct throw to lead 3-0 at the break.

Ahmadi Vafa got the par terre in the second period and scored two turns to lead 5-3. He went into defensive soon and was hit with the third passivity. But it proved fatal for Mammadov who was stopped in the middle of a turn from Ahmadi Vafa. With a 7-3 lead, Ahmadi Vafa hit a huge four-pointer on the edge to win the bout 11-3 and his third age-group gold medal.

"It was decided by the coaching staff to compete at the U23 World Championships after the U20 one," Ahmadi Vafa said. "Thank God, I was able to participate and return to Iran with a gold medal"

Ahmadi Vafa credits his training this year and his study of his opponents as the major factors for his improvement after suffering close losses in the age-group World Championships last year. 

"I worked really hard this year," he said. "I spent a full year in training camp and put in a lot of effort. A thorough analysis with the coaching staff made me win. I was able to reap the rewards of all my hard work over the past year."

In the 45-day break between the U20 and U23 World Championships, Ahmadi Vafa trained with the senior team. 

"A few days after we returned to Iran, we went to the senior camp," he said. "We were under a lot of physical strain, so the coaching staff decided to make our training sessions a bit lighter than the others.

"Our bodies responded well. I always felt deep inside that I could do it. I always say that I’m the best in my weight class."

To be on Iran's senior team, Ahmadi Vafa would have had to go through Poya DAD MARZ (IRI) who is the senior team member. However, the Iran federation has asked him to move to the 60kg weight class.

"He has a senior medal, and I have a lot of respect for him," he said. "We are from the same hometown. We’ve trained together several times at the senior camp, and he’s a really good opponent for me, and I might be a good opponent for him too.

"But the decision of the coaches is that I have to move up to the new weight category of 60kg, which will be a lot tougher. But I need to work harder to be able to win the gold medal at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics."

Multiple-time age-group world champion Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI) added the U23 world title with a dominant run in Tirana. With three technical superiority victories, Hedayati won the final 6-0 against Dmitrii BABORYKO (AIN).

Hedayati, in which typical style, began attacking relentlessly and soon scored a couple of stepouts. He was also awarded the par terre but he could not score any points. After leading 6-0, Hedayati scored a takedown to finish the bout 8-0 but Baboryko challenged. On review, Hedayati was warned for pushing and the score was reversed to 6-0.

The 21-year-old managed to hang on to that lead and win the gold medal.

Alexandrin GUTU (MDA)Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) scores two points over Samuel BELLSCHEIDT (GER) in the 77kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostandin Andonov)

For Moldova, Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) defended his U23 world title at 77kg and Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA) denied Japan's Komei SAWADA (JPN) in the 63kg final to win the gold medal.

Gutu, who has a U17 world title as well, was competing at his fourth U23 World Championships and has won medals in three of them with two golds. Wrestling Samuel BELLSCHEIDT (GER) in the final on Wednesday, Gutu used his signature front headlock to score exposure. That remained the difference as he clinched a 3-1 victory.

The win gave Gutu something to cherish after a disappointing season in which he failed to qualify for the Olympics and finished with only a bronze medal in four tournaments.

"This championships is very important for me," Gutu said. "As everyone knows, I lost at the Olympic qualifiers. I couldn’t even win the European Championships. This was the last tournament of the year. I needed to show a good performance here. I am really happy that I’ve won."

After dealing with the disappointment of failing just one win short of winning a ticket to the Paris Olympics, Gutu took some time to motivate himself to return to the mat.

"After the qualifiers in Baku, it was difficult to recover," he said. "I can’t even describe it. I was not just one step away, I was one percent away from that spot. It was very disappointing. 

"I’ve always had that motivation. The younger generation looks up to me. My family and my coaches are always there for me. I can’t let them all down. I will keep working until I get what I want."

Eriomenco added to the party with the 63kg gold as he defeated Swada in a very one-sided final. He got two turns from par terre to lead 5-0 at the break. Swada opened the second period with a stepout and then a point for par terre. As he was trying the gut-wrench, Eriomenco got out of the hold and scored a reversal to make it 6-2. Two easy turns made it 10-2, ending the match with technical superiority.

"I’ve been working so hard to reach this," Eriomenco said. "I’ve finished third three times at the European Championships and last year I was third at the Worlds. I was motivated to win this gold. I’ve never won even the European championships, but now I have won the World gold. I came here only for gold."

The difference between the physicality of the two wrestlers stood out and Eriomenco acknowledged that it worked to his advantage.

"From the beginning, I could feel that I was physically stronger," he said. "That’s when I got the confidence that I could win. The first match was the toughest one, then it was a bit easier. The final match was the most difficult. It was mentally tough to get ready for that match, because I really wanted the gold medal and no less."

Eriomenco is scheduled to compete at the Non-Olympic Weight Classes World Championships and is keen to leave an impression.

"It’s definitely going to be difficult to compete at two competitions in a raw," he said. "I won’t let the weight go up a lot. I will keep it down. I think everything is going to be ok. I know all my competitors. We’ve been training together at camps, we’ve been wrestling each other at competitions."

Fellow gold medalist Gutu also praised his compatriot and friend for his gold medal. 

"Eriomenco is my best friend," Gutu said. "I am so happy for him, because he was always so close, but he could never win. He became the World champion, I am really happy for him and it motivated me a lot to win my gold medal as well."

Anes GONIBOV (AIN)Anes GONIBOV (AIN) defeated Marcel STERKENBURG (NED) in the 87kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Marcel STERKENBURG (NED) had the chance to add a second title to his U20 one from 2021. However, he fell short and dropped his 87kg final against Anes GONIBOV (AIN) 4-0.

Gonibov got par terre position in both the periods which made his lead 2-0. Sterkenburg tried desperately for a takedown but failed and Gonibov managed to score and lead 4-0. The win for Gonibov gives him his second world tittle to along with his gold medal at the U23 World Championships at 82kg.

RESULTS

55kg
GOLD: Ali AHMADI VAFA (IRI) df. Rashad MAMMADOV (AZE), 11-3

BRONZE: Vishvajit MORE (IND) df. Adam ULBASHEV (AIN), 14-10
BRONZE: Kohei YAMAGIWA (JPN) df. William SULLIVAN (USA), 11-1

63kg
GOLD: Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA) df. Komei SAWADA (JPN), 10-2

BRONZE: Erfan JARKANI (IRI) df. Arman VARDANYAN (ARM), 8-0
BRONZE: Mairbek SALIMOV (POL) df. Bekir ATES (TUR), via fall

77kg
GOLD: Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) df. Samuel BELLSCHEIDT (GER), 3-1

BRONZE: Khasay HASANLI (AZE) df. Temuri ORJONIKIDZE (GEO), 
BRONZE: Ali OSKOU (IRI) df. Doniyorkhon NAKIBOV (UZB), 6-4

87kg
GOLD: Aues GONIBOV (AIN) df. Marcel STERKENBURG (NED), 4-0

BRONZE: Asan ZHANYSHOV (KGZ) df. Payton JACOBSON (USA), 9-0
BRONZE: Achiko BOLKVADZE (GEO) df. Yasin YAZDI (IRI), 4-4

130kg
GOLD: Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI) df. Dmitrii BABORYKO (AIN), 6-0

BRONZE: Giorgi TSOPURASHVILI (GEO) df. Albert VARDANYAN (ARM), 1-1
BRONZE: Koppany LASZLO (HUN) df. Pavel HLINCHUK (AIN), 9-1

Women's Wrestling Semifinals

50kg
GOLD: Natalia PUDOVA (AIN) vs. Sage MORTIMER (USA)

SF 1: Natalia PUDOVA (AIN) df. Natallia VARAKINA (AIN), 8-2
SF 2: Sage MORTIMER (USA) df. Umi ITO (JPN), via fall (4-12)

55kg
GOLD: Zeltzin HERNANDEZ GUERRA (MEX) vs. Jonna MALMGREN (SWE)

SF 1: Zeltzin HERNANDEZ GUERRA (MEX) df. Amani JONES (USA), via fall (4-5)
SF 2: Jonna MALMGREN (SWE) df. Ekaterina KARPUSHKINA (AIN), 7-0

59kg
GOLD: ANJLI (IND) vs. Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR)

SF 1: ANJLI (IND) df. Aurora RUSSO (ITA), via fall (4-0)
SF 2: Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR) df. Himeka TOKUHARA (JPN), 5-2

68kg
GOLD: Aues GONIBOV (AIN) vs. Marcel STERKENBURG (NED)

SF 1: Nesrin BAS (TUR) df. Alina SHAUCHUK (AIN), via fall (3-0)
SF 2: Ami ISHII (JPN) df. Xinze DU (CHN), 10-0

76kg
GOLD: Shuiyan CHENG (CHN) vs. Yelena MAKOYED (USA)

SF 1: Shuiyan CHENG (CHN) df. Zsofia VIRAG (HUN), 10-0
SF 2: Yelena MAKOYED (USA) df. Nodoka YAMAMOTO (JPN), via fall (13-2)