#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

Salkazanov Reclaims 74kg Gold for Fifth European Title

Sunday, April 26, 2026 - 23:07 By Vinay Siwach

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TIRANA, Albania (April 26) -- A smile beamed across Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV's (SVK) face as he stood atop the medal podium, receiving the gold medal after winning the 74kg title at the European Championships in Tirana, Albania.

Salkazanov won his fifth European title, regaining the crown after losing it to Chermen VALIEV (ALB) last year. Valiev, who is recovering from a knee surgery, was in the stands at the Feti Borova Olympic Park Arena as the Slovak wrestler returned to the top.

"It’s very satisfying to see that my hard work has paid off," Salkazanov said. "I’m particularly pleased today, because it’s been over two years since my country’s national anthem was played in my honor. So I’m glad that it worked out. That’s exactly why I was so happy on the podium."

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Salkazanov had a four-year golden run winning titles in 2021, 2022, 2023 and 2024 before losing to Zaurbek SIDAKOV (UWW) last year. Sidakov would later lose to Valiev in the 74kg final.

Since neither of Sidakov or Valiev were entered, Salkazanov faced Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE) in the final and in typical Salkazanov fashion bullied Bayramov with his defense. However, it was Bayramov who was put on the activity clock in the first period. Salkazanov went 1-0 up at the break.

In the second period, he scored two stepouts to extend his lead to 3-0 before Bayramov pushed the pace of the bout as he needed at least three points for a win. Bayramov's attack paid off in the final 10 seconds of the match when he scored a takedown to make it 3-2 but Salkazanov showed presence of mind and moved close to the edge of the mat to not give up any more points.

As time ran out, Bayramov thought he managed to score a point for Salkazanov's hand touching outside the zone. As it was not scored, he challenged only to see it lost and adding one more point to Salkazanov's score, making him a 4-2 winner.

Despite being a four-time champion before, Salkazanov said he was more confident this year and had not done anything to win the gold medal.

"I can’t say I’ve worked on anything in particular," he said. "The main thing is that I’ve gained more confidence over time, and perhaps a bit more experience."

Azerbaijan suffered another heartbreak on Sunday as world bronze medalist Arsenii DZHIOEV (AZE) dropped a close 86kg final to Ibragim KADIEV (UWW). The two did not score any action points and exchanged activity clock points.

Kadiev got the one point in the second period to hold a 1-1 criteria lead which he defended till the end. Dzhioev tried scoring a takedown in the final 10 seconds and almost got it but Kadiev was firm in his defense. Azerbaijan challenged asking for a point but Dzhioev neither had control over Kadiev nor he pushed him out.

The lost challenge added one point to Kadiev's score to give him a 2-1 win, making him the European champion at 86kg in his first attempt.

Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE)Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE) defended his 125kg title in Tirana. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Azerbaijan Wins Team Title

Despite the two losses in Sunday's finals, Azerbaijan won the team title as it did in Greco-Roman on Wednesday. With three golds, a silver, one bronze and all but one wrestlers contributing to team points, Azerbaijan won the team title with 152 points. Georgia finished second with 94 points and Armenia was third with 73 points.

Azerbaijan also crowned two European champions on the final day of the European Championships as defending champion Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE) retained his 125kg title while Ali TCOKAEV (AZE) won the 92kg gold medal.

Meshvildishvili, who had a close final last year, did not let Vladislav BAJCAJEV (HUN) challenge him this year. Bajcajev was put on the activity clock twice in the match and Meshvildishvili scored three go-behind takedowns to win the final 8-0.

Ali TCOKAEV (AZE)Ali TCOKAEV (AZE) celebrates after beating Ahmed BATAEV (BUL) in the 92kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Tcokaev's gold medal at 92kg came at the expense of Ahmed BATAEV (BUL) after the two gave no space to each other. Bataev got on board first with a stepout despite the move being initiated by Tcokaev. However, the Bulgaria wrestler was put on the activity clock and Tcokaev scored a stepout before the clock expired, which gave him a 2-1 lead over Bataev.

Using the underhook, Tcokaev scored another stepout to start the second period, extending his lead to 3-1. His third stepout made it 4-1 despite Bataev's resistance. Just when it looked like that Tcokaev will have no trouble till the clock expires, Bataev managed to score a takedown in the final 15 seconds to cut the lead to 4-3.

However, Bataev could not find the match-winning point and his desperate challenge was lost as well, giving a 5-3 win to Tcokaev.

At 61kg, Zavur UGUEV (UWW) defended his 61kg gold medal with rather ease and became a two-time European champion. He defeated former world champion and home-favorite Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB), 4-0, in the final.

Photo

RESULTS

61kg
GOLD: Zavur UGUEV (UWW) df. Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB), 4-0

BRONZE: Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) df. Dzmitry SHAMELA (UWW), 7-3
BRONZE: Simone PIRODDU (ITA) df. Nuraddin NOVRUZOV (AZE), via fall (11-8)

74kg
GOLD: Taimuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) df. Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE), 4-2

BRONZE: Timur BIZHOEV (UWW) df. Murad KURAMAGOMEDOV (HUN), 2-1
BRONZE: Farhad NOURIKHORJESTAN (UWW) df. Giorgi ELBAKIDZE (GEO), 10-8

86kg
GOLD: Ibragim KADIEV (UWW) df. Arsenii DZHIOEV (AZE), 2-1

BRONZE: Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO) df. Osman GOCEN (TUR), 8-3
BRONZE: Eugeniu MIHALCEAN (MDA) df. Ivars SAMUSONOKS (LAT), 7-2

92kg
GOLD: Ali TCOKAEV (AZE) df. Ahmed BATAEV (BUL), 5-3

BRONZE: Amanula GADZHIMAGOMEDOV (UWW) df. Fatih ALTUNBAS (TUR), 7-4
BRONZE: Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO) df. Samuel SCHERRER (SUI), 4-0

125kg
GOLD: Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE) df. Vladislav BAJCAJEV (HUN), 8-0

BRONZE: Hakan BUYUKCINGIL (TUR) df. Khachatur KHACHATRYAN (ARM), 6-2
BRONZE: Mohsen SIYAR (GER) df. Azamat KHOSONOV (GRE), 2-1