Lima

Olympic Champion Borrero Leads Cuban Gold Rush at Pan Ams

Friday, May 4, 2018 - 02:55 By Taylor Miller

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LIMA, Peru – All three Cuban finalists came away with gold in the first day of Greco-Roman competition at the 2018 Pan American Championships in Lima, Peru. The team was led by 2016 Olympic champion Ismael BORRERO MOLINA, who won the title at 67 kg.

Also a 2015 World champion, Borrero capped off a perfect day on Thursday, defeating Manuel Alejandro LOPEZ SALCERO (MEX) with an 8-0 shutout en route to his fourth overall Pan Am gold and first since 2014. It was Borrero’s fourth tech of the day as he outscored the field 40-0.

At 130 kg, Oscar PINO HINDS (CUB), a 2017 World bronze medalist, won his third-consecutive continental title with a 5-0 win over Robert Timothy David SMITH (USA). Pino opened the match with a big four-point throw to put himself in the lead early.

The other Cuban to walk away with gold was Luis Alberto ORTA SANCHEZ (CUB), who was awarded a win by injury default over Jancel Miguel PIMENTEL GONZALEZ (DOM) in the 60 kg finals.

The USA also had multiple champions on Thursday with Ryan MANGO (USA) and Ravaughn PERKINS (USA) winning at 63 kg and 72 kg, respectively.

Perkins snagged a decisive 4-0 decision against Wuileixis de Jesus RIVAS ESPINOZA (VEN), a 2014 Pan Am Championships gold medalist, 2015 Pan Am Games gold medalist and three-time Pan Am bronze winner.

63 kg champion Mango had his hand raised in victory by medical forfeit to complete a solid 4-0 day.

Other champions on the night included Sargis KHACHATRYAN (BRA) at 55 kg and Luillys Jose PEREZ MORA (VEN) at 97 kg.

FINALS MATCHUPS
55 kg
GOLD - Sargis KHACHATRYAN (BRA)
SILVER - Max Emiliano NOWRY (USA)
BRONZE - Brandon Jesus ESCOBAR AMADOR (HON)

60 kg
GOLD - Luis Alberto ORTA SANCHEZ (CUB) win by injury default Jancel Miguel PIMENTEL GONZALEZ (DOM)
BRONZE - Andres Roberto MONTANO ARROYO (ECU) df. Dicther Hans TORO CASTANEDA (COL), 12-1
BRONZE - Marat GARIPOV (BRA) df. Cristhian PARAVECINO NAVARRO (PER), 6-3

63 kg
GOLD - Ryan Robert MANGO (USA)
SILVER - Gerardo Francisco OLIVA MONTES (PER)
BRONZE - German Manuel DIAZ MALDONADO  (PUR)

67 kg
GOLD - Ismael BORRERO MOLINA (CUB) df. Manuel Alejandro LOPEZ SALCERO (MEX), 8-0
BRONZE - Joilson DE BRITO RAMOS JUNIOR (BRA) df. Luis Alfredo DE LEON (DOM), 9-6
BRONZE - Mario Bernardo MOLINA CORTEZ (PER) df. Jose Alejandro VARELA GARCIA (GUA), 6-0

72 kg
GOLD - Ravaughn PERKINS (USA)
SILVER - Wuileixis de Jesus RIVAS ESPINOZA (VEN)
BRONZE - Christopher PALACIOS ALEXANDER (PER)

97 kg
GOLD - Luillys Jose PEREZ MORA (VEN) df. Kevin MEJIA CASTILLO (HON), 2-0
BRONZE - Oscar LOANGO SOLIS (COL) df. Charles Zachary MERRILL (PUR), 2-0
BRONZE - Gabriel Alejandro ROSILLO KINDELAN (CUB) df. Lester Josue ENRIQUEZ CALDERON (GUA), 10-2

130 kg
GOLD - Oscar PINO HINDS (CUB) df. Robert Timothy David SMITH (USA), 5-0
BRONZE - Yasmani ACOSTA FERNANDEZ (CHI) df. Edgardo Juan LOPEZ MORELL (PUR), 8-0
BRONZE - Luis Alberto ROMAN BARRIOS (MEX) win by fall Jose Noel ERAZO HENRIQUEZ (ESA), 2:24

 

#development

Road to Dakar 2026 Continues with Successful Central Africa Programme in Brazzaville

Monday, June 22, 2026 - 08:50 By United World Wrestling Press

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BRAZZAVILLE, Republic of Congo (June 21) -- The second stop of the United World Wrestling (UWW) Africa Regional Educational Development Programme, Road to Dakar 2026, concluded successfully in Brazzaville after a week combining athlete preparation, education, technical development and competition in Olympic and Beach Wrestling.

Held from June 8 to 14 in the Republic of Congo, the Central Africa phase brought together National Olympic Committees and National Federations from across the region under a unified objective: strengthening wrestling ecosystems and creating more accessible pathways toward the Youth Olympic Games Dakar 2026.

As the second of four regional tournaments scheduled within the continental Road to Dakar programme, the event represented another important milestone on the road to the first Olympic event to be hosted on African soil.

Africa REDT

The UWW Africa Regional Educational Development Programme was designed as a comprehensive and sustainable model that extends beyond competition. The initiative combines athlete development camps, coach and referee education, and practical competition opportunities.

By decentralising activities across regions and consolidating training and competition into one structure, the programme aims to reduce financial barriers for national federations and increase opportunities for athletes and technical officials.

Throughout the week, athletes participated in intensive daily training sessions, as coaches attended the UWW Technical Course - Level 2, focused on improving technical knowledge, athlete development methodologies and long-term performance planning.

Africa REDT

Simultaneously, referees took part in dedicated education sessions covering Beach Wrestling and introductory officiating pathways, preparing them for selection to undertake the International Category III referee examination in the future.

The programme concluded with the Regional Tournament, followed by the Beach Wrestling Regional Tournament, giving participants the opportunity to apply lessons learned during the educational phase directly into competition conditions.

The programme specifically prioritised youth development, with participating athletes largely drawn from the U17 age group and encouraging the involvement of emerging coaches across Central Africa. Support mechanisms jointly delivered by UWW and Olympic Solidarity helped facilitate participation through travel, accommodation, training access and tournament organisation.

Africa REDT

More than just a standalone event, Brazzaville demonstrated the long-term vision behind Road to Dakar 2026 by building stronger national structures, expanding participation and creating sustainable development opportunities well before the final qualification stages for the Youth Olympic Games.