#WrestleBuenosAires

Pan-Am Championships Greco-Roman Preview

Tuesday, May 2, 2023 - 14:21 By Jimmy Pawelski

Share this article

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (April 26) -- The 2023 Pan-American Championships is scheduled to kick off May 3 in Buenos Aires, Argentina, with Greco-Roman wrestlers being the first competitors to take the mat.

Wrestling in 55kg, 60kg, 63kg, 67kg, 72kg, 97kg and 130kg will compete on Wednesday, May 3, while 77kg, 82kg, and 87kg participants will compete on Thursday, May 4. Action will begin on both days at 10:00 local time starting with qualification rounds and repechages followed by the finals round at 18:00 local time.

55kg
The lightest weight class of the tournament will be a round-robin style bracket with only three competitors registered to compete at 55kg -- Axel Gabriel ROLON (ARG), Jose RODRIGUEZ (MEX) and Dalton DUFFIELD (USA).

Notably, Rodriguez is dropping down two weight classes from his 2022 Pan-American silver-place finish at 63kg. Duffield is fresh off a fifth-place finish at the 2023 Zagreb Open in January.

60kg
Each of the two returning Pan-American Championships bronze medalists, Dicther TORO (COL) and Joao BENAVIDES (PER), at 60kg are set to take the mat again this year.

Also in contention for a podium finish will be world ranked 14 Ildar HAFIZOV (USA). The 35-year-old previously represented his home country Uzbekistan on the international Greco stage before switching to the USA in 2016.

Luis ORTA SANCHEZ (CUB)Olympic champion Luis ORTA (CUB) will compete at 67kg. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

67kg
Tokyo Olympic champion at 60kg Luis ORTA (CUB) will be at the Pan-Ams at 67kg as he bids for another Olympic medal. He has competed at 67kg in two events this year, claiming gold at the Henri Deglane Grand Prix and bronze at the Zagreb Open.

Reigning Pan-American and South American champion Julian HORTA (COL) will aim for back-to-back titles at 67kg while returning bronze medalist Nilton SOTO (PER) is also registered to compete in Buenos Aires. World number 14 Alejandro SANCHO (USA) will also be in Buenos Aires along with Edsson OLMOS (MEX) who was a silver medalist at 72kg last year. 

72kg
Patrick SMITH (USA), a three-time Pan-American Championships gold medalist, will look to once again conquer the 72kg bracket. In last year’s tournament, he finished each match by way of technical superiority with the exception of one, a 4-2 victory over Olmos who is notably registered to compete at 67kg this year. Smith will face tough competition in world number 13 Jose VARELA (GUA), who went 1-1 for an 8th place finish at the 2022 edition of the event at 67kg.

Yosvanys PENA FLORES (CUB)Yosvanys PENA FLORES (CUB) and David CHOC (GUA) are expected to have a rematch like the 2022 Pan-Am finals. (Photo: UWW / Osvaldo Aguilar)

77kg
A loaded 77kg bracket features three returning Pan-American medalists -- gold medalist Yosvanys PENA FLORES (CUB), silver medalist David CHOC (GUA) and bronze medalist Joilson DE BRITO (BRA). The highest world-ranked competitor in the bracket is number 24 Emmanuel BENITEZ (MEX), who is a 2019 Junior Pan-American champion.

All the while, human highlight reel Kamal BEY (USA) will look to put on an exciting show per usual as he marks his return to this tournament after four years.

82kg 
Only five competitors are registered to compete in the 82kg bracket, none of whom are returning Pan-American Championships medalists. Spencer WOODS (USA) is the highest world-ranked wrestler at the weight at number 27 and is riding on a fifth-place finish at the 2023 Zagreb Open.

Daniel VICENTE (MEX)2022 Pan-Am 82kg champion Daniel VICENTE (MEX) is moving up to 87kg. (Photo: UWW / Osvaldo Aguilar)

87kg
The 87kg bracket is the only weight class with multiple returning Pan-American champions as reigning gold medalist Daniel GREGORICH (CUB) will look to defend his title against reigning gold medalist from 82kg Daniel VICENTE (MEX). However, Vicente is no stranger to 87kg as he previously placed second in the 2021 edition at the weight class.

Additionally, Alan VERA (USA), a 2016 Pan-American champion at 80kg when he represented Cuba, is registered to compete along with Johan BATISTA (DOM), a two-time Pan-American finalist.

Kevin MEJIA CASTILLO (HON)Kevin MEJIA CASTILLO (HON) will be aiming for his third straight Pan-Am title. (Photo: UWW / Osvaldo Aguilar)

97kg
Honduras native Kevin MEJIA (pictured above) will be aiming for his third consecutive Pan-American title in Buenos Aires this year. He dominated his way through the tournament in 2022 and has not given up a single point at the championships in the past two years.

His primary challenger will be Carlos ADAMES (DOM), a 2022 Pan-American Championships bronze medalist.

130kg 
The heavyweight bracket is the only weight class with all four returning 2022 Pan-American Championships medalists, highlighted by the reigning champion Oscar PINO (CUB) who is currently ranked 14th in the world. He will be attempting to claim his fifth Pan-American title.

Meanwhile, the highest-ranked competitor registered to compete in this year’s tournament at number 13, Eduard SOGHOMONYAN (BRA), will be his primary challenger. Additionally, both returning bronze medalists are set to compete again this year in Yasmani ACOSTA (CHI) and Leo SANTANA (DOM).

How to Follow Along
Fans can track the action on United World Wrestling's mobile app or uww.org. Download #TheHomeOfWrestling, United World Wrestling's mobile app to access real-time match center data, get regular updates on tournaments and receive all the latest wrestling news in a flash.

#WrestleTirana

Muhamet Malo 2025 Ranking Series Day 4 Recap

Saturday, March 1, 2025 - 09:28 By Vinay Siwach

Share this article

TIRANA, Albania (March 1) -- Four Women's Wrestling weight classes and two Greco-Roman weight classes as Muhamet Malo 2025 Ranking Series enters day four in Tirana. Here's the recap of day three

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 3 RESULTS

15:35: Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO) and Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ) received cautions for negative wrestling but Beishekeev had two activity points and turn from par terre in the 67kg semifinal as he defeated Khetsuriani 6-2 to make the final.

The former U17 world champion and 2024 U23 world champion Beishekeev will wrestle Valentin PETIC (MDA) for the gold after the Moldovan survived a spirited comeback from Bagdat SABAZ (KAZ) in the other semifinal to win 13-8

15:20: Aleksandrs JURKJANS (LAT) thought he has earned his first Ranking Series medal after he gut-wrenched Doolotbek CHOIBEKOV (KGZ) for an 8-0 win in the 63kg semifinal. However, Choibekov challenges the first takedown and on review, it is deemed a risk from Choibekov and all points are cancelled. Choibekov then takes a 4-1 lead before a big throw gets him four more. A 9-3 win for Choibekov.

He will face Kerem KAMAL (TUR) in the final who defeated Razvan ARNAUT (ROU) 5-1 in the other semifinals.

15:05: Medet KYZY AIPERI (KGZ) storms into the 76kg final with 10-0 win over Anastasiya ALPYEYEVA (UKR). She scored three takedowns and huge reverse lift for four to win. She will take on Dymond GUILFORD (USA) who pulled off a 14-1 win over Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ).

14:55: Samantha STEWART (CAN) with yet another Ranking Series final. She beats Luisa VALVERDE (ECU) 5-2 at 57kg after two takedowns to one. She will take on Elvira SULEYMAN KAMALOGLU (TUR) for the gold medal as the Turkish defeated Amanda MARTINEZ (USA), 9-3.

14:40: Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) manages to scrap out a tough win against Liliia MALANCHUK (UKR) at 53kg. Malanchuk caught Kiyooka in a bow-arrow lock and rolled her for a 6-0 lead. But Kiyooka regrouped and scored two takedowns to cut the lead to 6-4. Malanchuk kept shooting for the legs and Kiyooka kept defending with double underhooks. A caution against Malanchuk for hair-pulling and Kiyooka gets another point. Malanchuk gets two points out of a scramble and Kiyooka is forced to defend the situation. Malanchuk leads 8-5 at the break.

Kiyooka with a snapdown and go-behind to begin the second period. Another takedown when she finally gets the lead 9-8. Malanchuk challenges the last takedown as she had her hand between the bended knee as defense. The points are cancelled as Kiyooka's action is deemed dangerous, bending the knee more than 90 degrees. Malanchuk lead 8-7 with 2 minutes remaining. A stepout for Kiyooka but Malanchuk leads 8-8 on criteria. Finally, a takedown for lead for Kiyooka which Malanchuk blocks with open fingers. Kiyooka leads 11-8 and restart in par terre from which she turns Malanchuk to lead 13-8. Malanchuk makes a desperate attempt but Kiyooka go-behind for two points and a 15-8 win.

On Mat B, Andreea ANA (ROU) got two points for Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) failure to score in the activity clock and give ones for the same. She hangs on for a 2-1 win against Yetgil to book a spot in the final against Kiyooka.

The semifinals begin at 14:30 local time

13:20: Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO) enters the 67kg semifinals with a 7-1 win over Abu AMAEV (BUL). After losing a challenge very early in the bout, Khetsuriani managed to lead 5-1 from par terre. He scored a stepout in the second was awarded the second passivity advantage as well which propelled him to a 7-1 win.

13:05: A last second stepout for Andreea ANA (ROU) to beat Natalia MALYSHEVA (UWW) at 53kg! With 20 seconds left, Malysheva led 3-0 but Ana scored a takedown to make it 3-2 with 10 seconds on the clock. She went for the leg straightaway and carried Malysheva outside the zone for one to win 3-3.

13:00: Yuxuan LI (CHN) manages to score a takedown on Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) but that is all. Kiyooka rallies to pile up takedowns to beat Li 12-2 in three minutes and 23 seconds. 

12:45: Anastasiya ALPYEYEVA (UKR) with a 44 seconds technical superiority win over Vanesa GEORGIEVA (BUL) in the 76kg quarterfinals. Alpyeyeva is a former U23 world champion and has been at 72kg for Ukraine for long but changing to the Olympic weight class of 76kg now

12:40: Mehdi MOHSEN NEJAD (IRI) cannot find a way to penetrate Kerem KAMAL's (TUR) defense. The two met at 63kg and Mohsen Nejad got the first par terre. No score. Kamal was on top in the second period but failed to score. But with a 1-1 criteria lead to Kamal, Mohsen Nejad was forced to score but his desperate attempt lands him on his back and Kamal gets four for a 5-1 win.

12:30: Two quarterfinals results which happened at different times. Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ) beats Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU) 12-1 to move into the semifinals while Medet KYZY AIPERI (KGZ) takes full six minutes to beat Enrica RINALDI (ITA) 9-0.

12:15: Alexandria GLAUDE (USA) makes a statement with a win over Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) at 72kg. Glaude never let Bakbergenova to go for the big moves and counter with her takedowns. She beats the Kazakh 7-2.

12:10: Alla BELINSKA (UKR) with a fall at 72kg Round 2 against Linda MACHUCA (ARG). The fall makes it extremely likely that she will top the group

11:55: Huge win for Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO) over Leri ABULADZE (GEO). The bout at 67kg was Abuladze trying to switch to an Olympic weight class. However, that proves too much for him right now. Khetsuriani got the par terre and then was about to score when Abuladze committed a leg foul. Abuladze challenge but lost which made the score 4-0 for Khetsuriani. He defended par terre in the second period and won 4-1

11:41: On Mat A, three-time world silver medalist Zhamila BAKBERGENOV (KAZ) holds on to a 3-1 win over Alla BELINSKA (UKR) in Round 1 of 72kg.

11:40: World champion Moe KIYOOKA (JPN), who is now trying to be at 53kg since Olympic champion Akari FUJINAMI (JPN) has moved up to 57kg, wins her first bout over Felicity TAYLOR (USA) 8-0. Kiyooka was on the leg lace quite a few times but was defended well but Taylor. But Kiyoola still managed a 10-0 win with a minute and 16 seconds remainig.

11:30: Anastasiya ALPYEYEVA (UKR) takes out Nodoka YAMAMOTO (JPN) at 76kg in the opening round. Alpeyeyeva with leg attacks that clearly unsettled Yamamoto who likes to stay on upper body. A 9-1 win for Alpyeyeva.

11:20: Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) takes her time but manages to beat Meile ZHANG (CHN) 11-0 with 36 seconds left. Great start for Medet Kyzy is a slightly stacked weight class.

11:10: Morten THORESEN (NOR) just blanked Sebastian NAD (SRB) at 67kg! Extreme pace from Thoresen to get two passivity calls and stepouts in his wins.

11:00: Day four of the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series. No rain today and bright sunshine blesses Tirana. Women's Wrestling and Greco-Roman wrestlers will be on the mat.