#WrestleOttawa

Pan-American Championship Entries

By Eric Olanowski

OTTAWA, Canada (March 2) --- The Pan-American Championships kick off March 6-9 in Ottawa, Canada, and will feature 192 athletes from 19 different nations wrestling -- including 16 returning gold medalists (listed in bold). 

Olympic champion Ismael BORRERO MOLINA (CUB) leads a list of eight returning Greco-Roman champions into Ottawa.

America’s pair of reigning world champions Tamyra MENSAH (USA) and Adeline GRAY (USA) are two of the five 2019 gold medalists that highlight the women’s wrestling part of the competition.

In freestyle, Anthony James ASHNAULT (USA), Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) and Kyle Frederick SNYDER (USA) return to the Pan-American championships looking to retain the titles they claimed a year ago.

Freestyle
57kg

Bryan Lucas DE OLIVEIRA PEREIRA (BRA)
Ligrit SADIKU (CAN)
Oscar Eduardo TIGREROS URBANO (COL)
Reineri ANDREU ORTEGA (CUB)
Juan Rubelin RAMIREZ BELTRE (DOM)
Edwin Alexi SEGURA GUERRA (GUA)
Jesus Alejandro GARFIAS INFANTE (MEX)
Darian Toi CRUZ (USA)
Pedro Jesus MEJIAS RODRIGUEZ (VEN)

61kg
Scott Anthony Josef SCHILLER (CAN)
Tyler Lee GRAFF (USA)

65kg
Agustin Alejandro DESTRIBATS (ARG)
David Washington DOS SANTOS MOREIRA (BRA)
Vincent DE MARINIS (CAN)
Wber Euclides CUERO MUNOZ (COL)
Alejandro Enrique VALDES TOBIER (CUB)
Albaro RUDESINDO CAMACHO (DOM)
Mauricio Javier SANCHEZ SALTOS (ECU)
Sixto Miguel AUCCAPINA PEDRAGAS (PER)
Jose Javier RODRIGUEZ COLON (PUR)
John Michael DIAKOMIHALIS (USA)
Wilfredo Aogusto RODRIGUEZ BOCANEY (VEN)

Anthony James ASHNAULT (USA) is one of three returning freestyle Pan-American champions. (Photo: Lu Cruz)

70kg
Ranico  Ikkesh HOWARD (BAR)
Hugo Leonardo DE LIMA VIANA DE SOUZA (BRA)
Cruiz Saint Luc MANNING (CAN)
Brandon Disair DIAZ RAMIREZ (MEX)
Anthony James ASHNAULT (USA)

74kg
Jorge Ivan LLANO (ARG)
Jasmit Singh PHULKA (CAN)
Leon Juan Carlos PERALTA LANAS (CHI)
Nestor Joaquin TAFUR BARRIOS (COL)
Jeandry GARZON CABALLERO (CUB)
Julio Rafael RODRIGUEZ ROMERO (DOM)
Enrique Josue PEREZ CASTELLANOS (GUA)
Franklin GOMEZ MATOS (PUR)
Jordan Ernest BURROUGHS (USA)
Anthony Jose MONTERO CHIRINOS (VEN)

79kg
Guseyn RUSLANZADA (CAN)
Victor Eduardo HERNANDEZ LUNA (MEX)
Jesus Augusto LANDA CESPEDES (PER)
Jason Michael NOLF (USA)

86kg
Ricardo Adrian BAEZ (ARG)
Reuben Leroy WILTSHIRE (BAR)
Clayton Steven PYE (CAN)
Carlos Arturo IZQUIERDO MENDEZ (COL)
Yurieski TORREBLANCA QUERALTA (CUB)
Gino Tanislado AVILA DILBERT (HON)
Angus Patrick ARTHUR (JAM)
Noel Alfonso TORRES CHACON (MEX)
Pool Edinson AMBROCIO GREIFO (PER)
Ethan Adrian RAMOS (PUR)
Alexander David DIERINGER (USA)
James Patrick DOWNEY III (USA)
Pedro Francisco CEBALLOS FUENTES (VEN)

92kg
Maxwell Lemar LACEY GARITA (CRC)

Kyle Frederick SNYDER (USA) is on a quest to win his fourth Pan-American title. (Photo: Tony Rotundo)

97kg
Nishan Preet Singh RANDHAWA (CAN)
Reineris SALAS PEREZ (CUB)
Luis Miguel PEREZ SOSA (DOM)
Esdras Carlos LOPEZ PEREZ (MEX)
Evan Amadour RAMOS (PUR)
Kyle Frederick SNYDER (USA)
Jose Daniel DIAZ ROBERTTI (VEN)

125kg
Amarveer DHESI (CAN)
Oscar PINO HINDS (CUB)
Brandon Eloin ANGUIANO FLORES (MEX)
Charles Zachary MERRILL (PUR)
Anthony Robert NELSON (USA)
Luis Felipe VIVENES URBANEJA (VEN)

 

Reigning world champion Ismael BORRERO MOLINA (CUB) headlines the Greco-Roman entries that features eight returning champions. (Photo: Tony Rotundo)

Greco-Roman
55kg

Sargis KHACHATRYAN (BRA)
Kieran Imran AKHTAR (CAN)
Max Emiliano NOWRY (USA)

60kg
Marat GARIPOV (BRA)
Adam Takahashi MACFADYEN (CAN)
Dicther Hans TORO CASTANEDA (COL)
Luis Alberto ORTA SANCHEZ (CUB)
Jancel Miguel PIMENTEL GONZALEZ (DOM)
Emerson Isaias FELIPE ORDONEZ (GUA)
Miguel Angel UGALDE AGUILAR (MEX)
Joshua Xavier MEDINA (PUR)
Leslie Michael FUENFFINGER (USA)
Gustavo Jesus RODRIGUEZ MARTINEZ (VEN)

63kg
Andres Roberto MONTANO ARROYO ( ECU)
Xavier Tramain JOHNSON (USA)

67kg
Joseph DASHOU (CAN)
Cristobal Alonso TORRES NUNEZ (CHI)
Julian Stiven HORTA ACEVEDO (COL)
Ismael BORRERO MOLINA (CUB)
Enyer Manuel FELICIANO (DOM)
Cristhian Alberto RIVAS CASTRO (ECU)
Diego Alberto MARTINEZ DE LEIJA (MEX)
Nilton Gonzalo Marcos SOTO GARCIA (PER)
German Manuel DIAZ MALDONADO (PUR)
Alejandro SANCHO (USA)
Anthony Javier PALENCIA PUENTES (VEN)

72kg
Joilson DE BRITO RAMOS JUNIOR (BRA)
Raymond Anthony BUNKER III (USA)

77kg
Angelo Rafael MARQUES MOREIRA (BRA)
Brayden William AMBO (CAN)
Jair Alexis CUERO MUNOZ (COL)
Yosvanys PENA FLORES (CUB)
Patrick Harrison SMITH (USA)
Wuileixis de Jesus RIVAS ESPINOZA (VEN)

82kg
Jose Andres VARGAS RUEDA (MEX)
Marciano George ALI (PUR)
John Walter STEFANOWICZ JR (USA)

Two-time defending Pan-Ame champion Luis Eduardo AVENDANO ROJAS (VEN) is entered at 87kg. (Photo: Tony Rotundo)

87kg
Ronisson BRANDAO SANTIAGO (BRA)
Ioannis NARLIDIS (CAN)
Carlos Andres MUNOZ JARAMILLO (COL)
Daniel GREGORICH HECHAVARRIA (CUB)
Carlos Alberto ADAMES PALMER (DOM)
Ariel Andres ALFONSO RODRIGUEZ (HON)
Lesyan Osvaldo COUSIN OTOMURO (JAM)
Alfonso Antonio LEYVA YEPEZ (MEX)
Josef Patrick RAU (USA)
Luis Eduardo AVENDANO ROJAS (VEN)

97kg
Guilherme EVANGELISTA DIAS (BRA)
Thomas Rahontsiiosta BARREIRO (CAN)
Gabriel Alejandro ROSILLO KINDELAN (CUB)
Kevin MEJIA CASTILLO (HON)
Edson Everardo ACUNA SALAZAR (MEX)
Tracy Gangelo HANCOCK (USA)
Luillys Jose PEREZ MORA (VEN)

130kg
Luciano DEL RIO (ARG)
Charles Frederick THOMS (CAN)
Yasmani ACOSTA FERNANDEZ (CHI)
Angel Ernesto PACHECO ROMERO (CUB)
Leo Dalis SANTANA HEREDIA (DOM)
Luis Alberto ROMAN BARRIOS (MEX)
Adam Jacob COON (USA)
Moises Salvador PEREZ HELLBURG (VEN)

Five-time world champion Adeline Maria GRAY (USA) is looking to win her third Pan-American gold medal. (Photo: Tony Rotundo) 

Women's Wreslting
50kg
Patricia Alejandra BERMUDEZ (ARG)
Kamila BARBOSA VITO DA SILVA (BRA)
Madison Bianca PARKS (CAN)
Carolina CASTILLO HIDALGO (COL)
Yusneylis GUZMAN LOPEZ (CUB)
Jacqueline Del Rocio MOLLOCANA ELENO (ECU)
Mariana DIAZ MUNOZ (MEX)
Thalia Jihann MALLQUI PECHE (PER)
Victoria Lacey ANTHONY (USA)
Genesis Rosmary MILANO OLIVIO (VEN)

53kg
Jade Mariah PARSONS (CAN)
Luisa Elizabeth VALVERDE MELENDRES( ECU)
Zeltzin HERNANDEZ GUERRA (MEX)
Gabriela Nicole RAMOS DIAZ (PUR)
Haley Ruth AUGELLO (USA)

Lissette Alexandra ANTES CASTILLO (ECU) will look to defend her 2019 Pan-Am crown. She'll wrestle at 57kg. (Photo: Tony Rotundo) 

57kg
Giullia RODRIGUES PENALBER DE OLIVEIRA (BRA)
Hannah Fay TAYLOR (CAN)
Lianna de la Caridad MONTERO HERRERA (CUB)
Lissette Alexandra ANTES CASTILLO (ECU)
Brenda Esmeralda Isay FERNANDEZ SALAZAR (MEX)
Nes Marie RODRIGUEZ TIRADO (PUR)
Kelsey Rene CAMPBELL (USA)
Betzabeth Rebeca SARCO COLMENAREZ (VEN)

59kg
Karoline SILVA DE SANTANA (BRA)
Alexandria Rebekkah TOWN (CAN)
Lauren Nora LOUIVE (USA)

Defending champion Lais NUNES DE OLIVEIRA (BRA) is looking to add a third Pan-American gold medal to her resume. (Photo: Lu Cruz)

62kg
Lais NUNES DE OLIVEIRA (BRA)
Jessica Lise BROUILLETTE (CAN)
Jackeline RENTERIA CASTILLO (COL)
Yessica Coraima OVIEDO PEREZ (DOM)
Alejandra ROMERO BONILLA (MEX)
Mallory Maxine VELTE (USA)
Nathaly Josefina GRIMAN HERRERA (VEN)

Reigning world champion Tamyra MENSAH (USA) is one of the five returning women's wrestling Pan-American champions. (Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

68kg
Luz Clara VAZQUEZ (ARG)
Dailane GOMES DOS REIS (BRA)
Olivia Grace DI BACCO (CAN)
Tatiana RENTERIA RENTERIA (COL)
Yudari SANCHEZ RODRIGUEZ (CUB)
Leonela Aleyda AYOVI PARRAGA (ECU)
Ambar Michell GARNICA FLORES (MEX)
Yanet Ursula SOVERO NINO (PER)
Tamyra Mariama MENSAH (USA)
Maria Jose ACOSTA ACOSTA (VEN)

72kg
Brenda AGUIAR DOS SANTOS (BRA)
Shauna Ailein KUEBECK (CAN)
Victoria Christine FRANCIS (USA)

76kg
Aline DA SILVA FERREIRA (BRA)
Justina Renay DI STASIO (CAN)
Andrea Carolina OLAYA GUTIERREZ (COL)
Milaimys de la Caridad MARIN POTRILLE (CUB)
Genesis Rosangela REASCO VALDEZ (ECU)
Gabriela Renata CANALES HERRERA (MEX)
Adeline GRAY (USA)
Andrimar Daniela LAZARO DIAZ (VEN)

#WrestleUlaanbaatar

From 8-0 to 17-10: Amouzad Stuns Mamedov to Win 65kg Gold

By Vinay Siwach

ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia (June 7) -- Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) rarely falls behind in a bout. The last time was at the Paris Olympics final in 2024 when Kotaro KIYOOKA (JPN) stormed to a 10-1 lead and Amouzad failed to cover the deficit and lost 10-3.

The 23-year-old has since went on to win gold medals at the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series, the World Championships and the Islamic Solidarity Games, all in 2025. In the 14 matches last year, he did not let his opponent take the lead.

But on Sunday, Amouzad was staring at his first loss in two years and an uphill task of overcoming an 8-0 lead by Shamil MAMEDOV (BUL) in the 65kg final at the Ulaanbaatar Open.

Both Mamedov and Amouzad made their way to the 65kg final in the Mongolian capital and set up a top-tier clash, three years after they first clashed at the 2023 World Championships bronze-medal bout which the former won.

While Mamedov had began his 2026 season at the European Championships, Amouzad was wrestling for the first time this year.

Amouzad opened the bout aggressively as is the norm. But it was Mamedov who struck first.

Mamedov lifted the Iranian on his shoulders and then brought him down for four points. He did not let Amouzad settle on the mat for defense and rolled him twice using a gut-wrench to lead 8-0 before Amouzad defended the next turn, that would have ended the final.

Shamil MAMEDOV (BUL)Shamil MAMEDOV (BUL) loads to throw Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) at the start of their 65kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

As the referee asked the wrestlers to return to neutral with 4:10 left, it was Iran's coach Pejman DOROSTKAR who signaled Amouzad to remain calm. Perhaps he knew that Amouzad can still win. May be even Amouzad believed.

Amouzad began his comeback with a stepout two seconds later. He snapped hard and pressured Mamedov who was slowly showing signs of weak conditioning. The 30-second break came just in time for Mamedov, who led 8-1.

But a monstrous second period awaited both wrestlers. Amouzad scored two stepouts in a minute to make it 8-3 but Mamedov scored a takedown just when it looked it he had nothing left. With a 10-3 lead, it seemed that Mamedov will be able to defend that with 1:22 left.

Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI)Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) scored 14 unanswered points on Shamil MAMEDOV (BUL) in the 65kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Amouzad scored a takedown five seconds later: 10-5. Mamedov was still fighting and defending but the pressure from Amouzad was unstoppable as the Iranian scored another stepout: 10-6. He made it 10-7 with 50 seconds left with another stepout.

Then came the double-leg attack that changed the bout. Amouzad quickly swept on Mamedov's left leg and the Bulgarian, struggling with conditioning, was slow to defend it as Amouzad wrapped the other leg as well and jumped with Mamedov landing on the mat in danger for four points. Amouzad scored a two-point exposure and then a complete turn to lead 15-10. It all changed all of a sudden.

Mamedov kept helpless as he legs became heavier to move and Amouzad found new spring in his steps. The Iranian scored one more takedown before the final whistle to complete a remarkable comeback and win 17-10, having scored 14 unanswered points in 82 seconds.

Amouzad is not unbeaten in his last 17 bouts and has lost only two matches out of his last 30 internationally.

Musa MEKHTIKHANOV (RUS)Musa MEKHTIKHANOV (RUS) hits a fireman's carry on Chong Song HAN (PRK) during the 57kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

The other world champion in action on Sunday at the Ulaanbaatar Open, Chong Song HAN (PRK) failed to complete a comeback like Amouzad. Han suffered a heartbreaking 6-6 criteria loss to European silver medalist Musa MEKHTIKHANOV (RUS) in the 57kg final.

Mekhtikhanov hit a mesmerizing fireman's carry for four points while he was on the 30-second activity clock. Han responded with a two-point exposure using a front headlock in the same sequence to make it 4-2. As Han tried the headlock again, Mekhtikhanov blocked him and held his back on the mat for two points to extend his lead to 6-2 at the break.

Han closed the gap with a stepout and hit a leg-attack to score two points via exposure and make it 6-5. As the sequence continued, Han and Mekhtikhanov went neutral and then Han scored a go-behind which was surprisingly scored only one point which made it 6-6.

Mekhtikhanov, with his criteria lead due to the bigger move, defended his lead for the remaining 50 seconds to upset the world champion and claim the gold medal.  

Russia won two more golds as the Khaniev brothers captured their first-ever gold medals at a United World Wrestling senior tournaments. Ismail at 79kg completed a 10-0 technical superiority over U20 world champion Mahdi YOUSEFI (IRI) in the final to win gold. This was his fourth victory via superiority in Ulaanbaatar.

His brother Takhir began slowly but he also won the 97kg final with technical superiority, 10-0, against Demchigdorj TUMURBAATAR (MGL).

India Wins 2 Golds

India won two golds both at the expense of Kazakhstan, a welcome result for the country. At 61kg, unheralded DEEPAK (IND) defeated Assyl AITAKYN (KAZ), 6-0, in the final to capture the first gold.

Asian bronze medalist DINESH (IND) then held off U20 world champion Yedige KASSIMBEK (KAZ), 2-0, with both points coming from Kassimbek's passivity.

Host Mongolia won gold through Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) at 70kg after his opponent in the final, Rustamzhan KAKHAROV (KGZ), injury defaulted. Tumur Ochir also avenged his Asian Championships final loss to ABHIMANYOU (IND), 9-0, earlier in the day.

RESULTS

57kg
GOLD: Musa MEKHTIKHANOV (RUS) df. Chongsong HAN (PRK), 6-6

BRONZE: SUMIT (IND) df. Abzal OKENOV (KAZ), 6-3
BRONZE: Meirambek KARTBAY (KAZ) df. Aiaal BELOLYUBSKII (TJK), 8-0

61kg
GOLD: DEEPAK (IND) df. Assyl AITAKYN (KAZ), 6-0

BRONZE: Adilet ALMUKHAMEDOV (KAZ) df. Bair BAIANDUEV (RUS), 4-0
BRONZE: Ahora KHATERI (IRI) df. Batnasan GANKHULEG (MGL), 7-0

65kg
GOLD: Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) df. Shamil MAMEDOV (BUL), 17-10

BRONZE: Kwang Jin KIM (PRK) df. Adlan ASKAROV (KAZ), 7-6
BRONZE: Mohit KUMAR (IND) df. Ossimzhan DASTANBEK (KAZ), 17-6

70kg
GOLD: Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) df. Rustamzhan KAKHAROV (KGZ), via inj. def.

BRONZE: Magomed ELTEMIROV (RUS) df. ABHIMANYOU (IND), 10-0
BRONZE: Aden SAKYBAEV (KGZ) df. Usukhbayar BAATARKHUU (MGL), 4-3

79kg
GOLD: Ismail KHANIEV (RUS) df. Mahdi YOUSEFI (IRI), 10-0

BRONZE: Shamsat TAIR (KAZ) df. Nurdaulet KUANYSHBAY (KAZ), 5-4
BRONZE: Suldkhuu OLONBAYAR (MGL) df. Sandeep MANN (IND), 10-0

97kg
GOLD: Takhir KHANIEV (RUS) df. Demchigdorj TUMURBAATAR (MGL), 10-0

BRONZE: VICKY (IND) df. Gankhuyag GANBAATAR (MGL), 4-0
BRONZE: TUXIGE (CHN) df. Nurdaulet BEKENOV (KAZ), 11-0

125kg
GOLD: DINESH (IND) df. Yedige KASSIMBEK (KAZ), 2-0

BRONZE: Robert BARAN (POL) df. Timur KOTAEV (RUS), 13-2
BRONZE: Kamil KOSCIOLEK (POL) df. Jose DIAZ (VEN), 4-2