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

Croatia continues to Train and Develop their Coaches and Referees

Tuesday, June 3, 2025 - 11:05 By United World Wrestling Press

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POREC, Croatia (June 3) – The Croatian Wrestling Federation continues to add educational activities for their coaches and referees. The previous year, they hosted a Level 2 course on the Introduction to Practice Planning. This year they organized a Level 3 coaching course on Periodization and Coaching Philosophy.  They also organized a Level 1 – Introduction to Referee course for their younger national referees. This year’s courses were conducted on 21-24 May in the beautiful city of Porec and was done in conjunction with Olympic Solidarity and United World Wrestling. 

The coaching course was led by UWW Educator Mr. Nenad Žugaj (CRO).  During the course, the 26 participants developed a better understanding of how periodization works when designing training sessions.  They were able to integrate those concepts and design their own plans.  The participants also focused on developing a coaching philosophy that they can use with their teams.

“The participants were active, I think they relaxed more and more every day and thus became more creative in their answers. I am pleased with the energy that prevailed and the positivity of the participants through jokes but also more serious topics.” said Mr. Žugaj  Eric, one of the coach participants said, “’I really liked the course and I would like to see such educations held more often. I especially liked how we, the coaches and referees, had joint lectures and assignments and were able to give opinions and views from different perspectives. I am looking forward to the next Level 4 course.”

CROParticipants look on doing the education courses held in Croaita during the final week of May. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

The referee course was led by UWW Educator Ms. Edit Dozsa (ITA). The course had 13 participants who focused on the fundamentals of being a good referee.  They focused on the evaluation of holds, how to properly start and end matches, proper referee mechanics, and keeping the athletes safe during bouts.  The referee participants were able to practice their skills through simulated matches and practical assessments. 

Both the coaches and referees had some working sessions together. They were able to analyze the roles of the coaches and of the referees. This helps give them a better understanding of the jobs that they do. They also discussed the importance of athlete safeguarding in wrestling.

“The cooperation with the educators Edit and Nenad was very good and successful. I visited the lectures on a couple of occasions and found them to be educational and interesting. The feedback from our coaches and judges was positive.” said Tin Bregović.

The Croatian Wrestling Federation also hosted a competition at the end of the courses. This competition allowed the coaches and referees to practice some of the skills that they had just learned during the course.