Pan-American Championships 2025 Preview

Wednesday, May 7, 2025 - 08:11 By Vinay Siwach

MONTERREY, Mexico (May 6) -- The Pan-American Championships 2025 in Monterrey can be a different story from the past as the United States is sending a much depleted squad for the tournament.

Will other countries rise up this year? The Pan-American Championships will be live on UWW+ on uww.org and the UWW+ [FloWrestling for the U.S. and Canada] from May 8 to 11. Follow United World Wrestling on Instagram, Facebook, X, YouTube and TikTok.

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Greco-Roman

The biggest stars in Greco-Roman will be the three entries of Cuba. The nation has both of its Paris Olympic bronze medalists making a return to competition. World champions Luis ORTA (CUB) and Gabriel ROSILLO (CUB) will be in action at 67kg and 97kg respectively and will be the favorite to win the gold medal. It also has Oscar PINO (CUB) at 130kg, who won the Pan-Am gold a couple of years ago.

The U.S. is banking on a mix of youth and experience. Young star Jayden RANEY (USA), who won U17 world title in 2024, is at 55kg, Maxwell BLACK (USA) is making his Pan-Ams debut at 60kg while veteran Ellis COLEMAN (USA) is returning to this tournament after six years.

Former champion Alejandro SANCHO (USA) has moved up a weight class to 72kg, big-throwing Kamal BEY (USA) is at 77kg and history-maker at the U23 World Championships with a silver medal Beka MELELASHVILI (USA) will be the favorite at 82kg. Paris Olympian Payton JACOBSON (USA) will be at 87kg and former U17 world champion Cohlton SCHULTZ (USA) is at 130kg.

For Orta, the path to gold appears simple but he has returning silver medalist Andres MONTANO (ECU) and bronze medalist Nestor ALMANZA TRUYOL (CHI). However, it is unlikely that Orta will be challenged in the bracket. Rosillo will be the favorite at 97kg despite the presence of Paris Olympian and defending champion Kevin MEJIA (HON).

Pino, who won the gold at 130kg in 2023, has Eduard SOGHOMONYAN (BRA) and Schultz in the bracket but has experience and quality on his side.

He has been Cuba’s mainstay at 130kg for long but never competed at the Olympics due to the presence of Mijain LOPEZ (CUB). With Lopez retired after winning a record fifth Olympic gold in Paris, the doors to compete at Olympic have opened up for Pino.

The other weight classes will be evenly contested with the absence of Cuba. At 87kg, Sosruko KODZOKOV (BRA) will look to win his second Pan-Am title as he won the 82kg gold medal last year. He has Paris Olympian Payton JACOBSON (USA) and returning silver medalist Luis AVENDANO ROJAS (VEN) as the other big names in the bracket.

The U.S. will bank on Melelashvili to win the 82kg as he has only two other competitors in the weight class. Melelashvili became the first-ever U.S. Greco-Roman wrestler to win a silver medal at the U23 World Championships last year. Former silver medalist David CHOC HUOC (GUA) and returning bronze medalist Diego MACIAS TORRES (MEX) are entered at 82kg.

At 77kg, former Pan-Am champion Bey will be looking for his second title. Former world champion and veteran Arsen JULFALAKYAN (ARG), wrestling perhaps for the last time, will be his biggest challenger. The two were involved in a thrilling contest in the 2024 Pan-Am Olympic Qualifier last year but Bey hit a clutch throw to beat Julfalakyan 4-2.

Sancho, who won the gold medal at 67kg last year, is at 72kg and will be the best bet to win the gold medal. Former bronze medalist Cristian MEJIA TEPEN (GUA and recently crowned 2025 U23 Pan-Am champion Jorge GOMEZ GARCIA (MEX) will be his biggest tests.

Another one of Mexico's 2025 U23 Pan-Am champion Diego TERRIQUEZ IBARRA (MEX) will be hoping to win the gold at 60kg. But Patrick RODRIGUEZ QUINTO (ECU), who lost to Ibarra in the final last month will look to avenge that loss and upgrade to gold. Yonaiker MARTINEZ CRAVO (VEN), who has multiple age-group Pan-Am medals, will look to make a mark at the senior level.

Angel SEGURA TELLEZ (MEX) won the gold medal at U23 Pan-Ams at 63kg but the senior competition can prove tougher. He has Coleman, a 2012 Olympian for the U.S. and who recently won a bronze medal at the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series.

Jeremy PERALTA GONZALEZ (ECU), a silver medalist from 2023, will look to win his first-ever gold medal.

At 55kg, Raney has just Isaac MARIN MATA (MEX) as the only other competitor entered while Colombia's absence from the tournament has offered a chance to a few others to be on the podium in Monterrey.

Women's Wrestling

Three silver and one bronze medalist from the 2024 Paris Olympics are entered in the field for Women's Wrestling. Kennedy BLADES (USA), Lucia YEPEZ (ECU) and Yusneylis GUZMAN (CUB) won silver medals in Paris while Milaimy MARIN POTRILLE (CUB) won bronze.

But the big question will be if the U.S. can dominate Women's Wrestling like it has in recent years.

Undoubtedly, the 76kg weight will be the toughest in Monterrey. Defending champion Genesis REASCO (ECU) has a big task ahead of her with Olympic bronze medalist Marin and world bronze medalist Kylie WELKER (USA) entered in the competition.

Reasco defeated Adeline GRAY (USA), 10-0, last year on her way to the gold. But Marin enjoys a better head-to-head record against Reasco which can put the latter under pressure.

Welker won the gold medal at the World U23 Championships last year and followed it up with a bronze medal at 72kg at the senior level but Pan-Ams will be a huge test for her at a heavier weight category. Reasco had defeated Welker 9-7 at Pan-Am Games in 2023.

Blades, who won silver in Paris at 76kg, continues her new season at 68kg. She will be making her Pam-Am debut and will be the favorite to win the gold medal at 68kg.

At 65kg, world bronze medalist Macey KILTY (USA) will be the favorite to win the gold medal. Former silver medalist Miki ROWBOTTOM (CAN) is also entered.

Former world U20 and U23 silver medalist and returning bronze medalist Audrey JIMENEZ (USA) will hope to improve on her past result at 50kg. For that, she will have to go through Olympic silver medalist Guzman, defending champion Jacqueline MOLLOCANA (ECU), Kamila BARBOSA (BRA) and Madison PARKS (CAN) among others.

53kg has defending champion Yepez who will be the favorite as she returns to competition for the first time since winning the silver medal in Paris. World U20 silver medalist Serena DI BENEDETTO (CAN) and former Pan-Am U20 silver medalist Jaslynn GALLEGOS (USA) are among the challengers.

Canada will be hoping for at least two gold medals, and the Godinez sisters will be the biggest reason. Karla GODINEZ (CAN) at 55kg and Ana at 62kg seem to have a relatively easy path to gold and will be favored to add to their past Pan-Am titles.

Laurence BEAUREGARD (CAN), another former Pan-Am champion, can add to the count for Canada.

At 57kg, veteran Luisa VALVERDE (ECU) will look to win a gold medal but she will have to see off Mia FRIESEN (CAN) and Amanda MARTINEZ (USA) among other wrestlers.

Freestyle

The United States won all 10 gold medals last year. Will that be the case this time around? Possible.

The country is counting on a young line-up led by Zahid VALENCIA (USA) to retain their supremacy in the continental championships.

Valencia, who recently defeated Kyle DAKE (USA), will be at 86kg and the favorite to repeat. Veteran Ethan RAMOS (PUR), returning medalist Jorge LLANO (ARG and Steven RODRIGUEZ (VEN) are also there but Valencia clearly has an edge over the field.

At 125kg, former world U23 champion Wyatt HENDRICKSON (USA) will challenge the field. Hendrickson recently made global headlines after beating Gable STEVESON (USA) to win the NCAA title. Hendrickson will look to complete a U.S. hat-trick of gold at this weight class.

Other U.S. young stars include Jaxen FORREST (USA) at 61kg, Ladarian LOCKETT (USA) at 74kg, Trent HIDLAY (USA) at 92kg, and Justin RADEMACHER (USA) at 97kg. Joseph MCKENNA (USA) is one of the relatively experienced wrestlers at 65kg.

Forrest, who is known for his attacking style, will have his task cut out in his first-ever senior tournament. The 2022 world U17 silver medalist can face tough competition from Joseph SILVA (PUR), a three-time consecutive silver medalist at 61kg, losing all finals to American wrestlers.

Lockett won the world U17 gold in 2023 but ended up with a silver medal at the world U20 in 2024. He will be making his senior-level debut at the Pan-Am Championships. It will be a surprise if he misses out on the gold medal in Monterrey despite his young age.

The 92kg weight class has five wrestlers entered and Hidlay will have to beat everyone to win the gold medal. Given his experience, Hidlay shouldn't have a problem navigating the field which has Andrew JOHNSON (CAN), Miguel LAVIELLE RAMIREZ (MEX), Eduardo VEGA GARCIA (PAN), and Edwin MORALES (PUR).

Paris Olympian Roman BRAVO YOUNG (MEX) has emerged as the favorite to win the gold medal at 57kg. Bronze medal at the Zagreb Open Ranking Series event, Bravo Young had an exceptional performance at the 2024 Pan-Am Olympic Qualifying tournament in which he defeated Zane RICHARDS (USA). He will hold the key to denying the U.S. a clean sweep as he has Liam CORNIN (USA) in his weight class.

Eduardo PALAS SEQUEIROS (PER) will be returning to wrestling at 13 years. He last wrestled at the Pan-Am U20 Championships in 2012 in Greco-Roman.

Mexico's other Paris Olympian in Freestyle -- Austin GOMEZ (MEX) -- is at 70kg and has a good chance to win the gold medal as well over the U.S.

Argentina can finally end its drought of a gold medal at the Pan-Am Championships if Agustin DESTRIBATS (ARG) can bring out a performance like last year in which he finished with a silver medal.

This year, he will be among the favorites, along with Peiman BIABANI (CAN) who continues to try and make a mark since switching from Iran to Canada. McKenna is another wrestler who can stop Destribats.

The 97kg weight class can also throw a different winner as returning silver Arturo SILOT (CUB) hopes to upgrade his medal. Former silver medalist Nishan RANDHAWA (CAN) will be among the favorites for gold as well.

The U.S. has Rademacher, a bronze medalist at the 2024 World U20 Championships. He can surely surprise all to win the gold medal and continue the U.S. dominance at this weight class, all thanks to Kyle SNYDER (USA).

Returning bronze medalist Cristian SARCO COLMENAREZ (VEN) and multiple-time medalist Jose DIAZ ROBERTTI (VEN) are also entered at the weight.

At 79kg, Evan WICK (USA) will have his task cut out in the round-robin bracket as his weight class has only five wrestlers. Apart from Wick, Jasmit PHULKA (CAN), Victor HERNANDEZ LUNA (MEX), Jose AMBROCIO GREIFO (PER) and Shane JONES (PUR) are registered.

#WrestleUlaanbaatar

Oh Beats Kiyooka in Battle of World Champs in Ulaanbaatar

Friday, June 5, 2026 - 15:43 By Vinay Siwach

ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia (June 5) -- Soon after winning the 53kg gold medal the Meiji Cup two weeks ago, Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) said that she will be travelling to Ulaanbaatar for the third Ranking Series.

It's rare for a Japanese wrestler to compete in Ranking Series especially close to the Meiji Cup. Kiyooka explained her participation in the Ulaanbaatar Open as more of a necessity to gain more experience competing against international wrestlers as she continues to find a firm footing at 53kg.

After all, the 22-year-old had secured her spot on the Japan team for the World Championships and Asian Games by winning the gold medal at the Meiji Cup.

The experience came in the form of a showdown with reigning 55kg world champion Kyong Ryong OH (PRK), who rallied from a four-point deficit to defeat Kiyooka, 10-6, and win the 53kg gold medal on Friday at the third Ranking Series.

The final pitted two world champions against each other, with Kiyooka, a former 55kg world champion, also moving down to 53kg. Despite leading by four points midway through the second period, Kiyooka was unable to hold off Oh's comeback.

Oh's gold medal was the second of the night for the DPR Korea. India also won two gold medals while Poland took home the fifth gold medal.

Greco-Roman also concluded in Ulaabaatar with three weight classes with Iran, Kyrgyzstan and South Korea winning gold medal each.

Kyong Ryong OH (PRK) turns Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) using the leg lace in the 53kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

In the marquee match-up of the night between Kiyooka and Oh, the former struck first with a single-leg takedown that Oh failed to defend, opening a 2-0 lead. She maintained control for the remainder of the first period. Oh, who was warned for passivity in the first period, showed little urgency at the start of the second.

Kiyooka capitalized again with a single-leg attack and stepped over for two points, but surrendered a reversal in the same sequence. Oh immediately took advantage, scoring a gut wrench and a lace turn to move ahead 5-4 with 1:26 remaining.

Twenty seconds later, Oh added a stepout to extend her lead to 6-4. Kiyooka responded in the next exchange, regrouping after an initial attack was defended and finishing a takedown to regain the lead on criteria at 6-6 with 53 seconds left.

A heavy snap from Oh squared Kiyooka, and the DPR Korea wrestler quickly converted a takedown before adding a lace turn to surge ahead 10-6. Kiyooka had 18 seconds remaining to find four points but was unable to break through as Oh closed out the victory.

Asian silver medalist Son Hyang KIM (PRK) secured DPR Korea's second gold medal of the evening, needing just 1 minute and 35 seconds to defeat Anqi BAO (CHN), 10-0, in the 50kg final. Kim scored an early takedown and followed with four gut-wrench turns to complete the technical superiority victory.

MANISHA (IND) pins Il Sim SON (PRK) in the 57kg final at the Ulaanbaatar Open. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Despite claiming two gold medals, DPR Korea suffered defeats in two other finals, both against Indian wrestlers.

At 57kg, world silver medalist Il Sim SON (PRK) was stunned by former Asian champion MANISHA (IND) in the final as the Indian secured a fall to claim the gold medal.

As has often been the case for Manisha, she was called passive in the first period and Son led 1-0 at the break after Manisha failed to score any points in the 30-second activity clock.

Manisha began the second period with a stepout to lead 1-1 on criteria which forced Son to attack again. She attempted a throw, but Manisha rotated through the action and avoided conceding points.

Son, still holding onto Manisha during the scramble, lost her balance and rolled onto her back. Manisha was quick to return on top and pushed Son's shoulders on the mat to get the pin with 2:02 left in the final.

NEHA (IND) scores a takedown on Pyol HONG (PRK) during the 59kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

NEHA (IND) also defeated a DPR Korea wrestler in the 59kg final to capture the second gold medal for India in Ulaanbaatar. Taking on Pyol HONG (PRK) for the gold medal, Neha opened the scoring with a stepout and then added two takedowns to lead 5-0 at the break.

Hong opened the second period with a stepout to get on board before adding a takedown to cut Neha's lead to 5-3. However, Neha controlled the remaining bout to clinch the gold medal.

The two-point victory of Neha contrasted her earlier meeting with Hong in the Nordic bracket, when Neha dominated and won 10-2 in Round 2.

The fifth gold medal on offer on Friday in Women's Wrestling went to European silver medalist Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL) who ran through Bolortungalag ZORIGT (MGL) for a 12-2 technical superiority win.

Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI), blue, loads for a throw even as Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) commits a leg foul during the 63kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Keshtkar Beats Sharshenbekov

In Greco-Roman action, Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI) spoiled the return of former world champion and Paris 2024 bronze medalist Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) at 63kg.

Sharshenbekov was return to international wrestling after a gap of almost two years. He began with two strong victories, first over Erfan JARKANI (IRI) and then over Sunny KUMAR (IND).

In Round 3 of his Nordic bracket, Sharshenbekov faced Keshtkar having already made his place in the semifinals. Keshtkar was put in par terre first but Sharshenbekov failed to score any points from the position and led 1-0 at the break.

Keshtkar was given the par terre in the second period and he scored two points for exposure. As Keshtkar tried to pin Sharshenbekov, the latter committed defensive foul and was docked two points.

As the bout restarted in par terre, Keshtkar lifted Sharshenbekov and threw him for two points. Sharshenbekov again committed a foul, this time using his legs, and was docked another two points, essentially finishing the bout 9-1.

Kyrgyzstan challenged for no foul but the review confirmed leg foul from Sharshenbekov whose lost challenge added one more point to Keshtkar's score.

Both wrestlers advanced from Group A and won their respective semifinals to set up a clash in the final. However, Keshtkar defaulted the final, giving Sharshenbekov the gold medal.

Iran won gold as 60kg as well as Ali AHMADI VAFA (IRI) humbled Yu Chol RO (PRK), 10-0, in the final. Ro, who was moving up from 55kg to 60kg, had no chance against Ahmadi Vafa who threw Ro for two four-point throws from par terre to accumulate nine points. A lost challenge from Ro added the last point.

The 130kg gold medal was won by Minseok KIM (KOR) who defeated Nambardagva BATBAYAR (MGL), 8-0, in the final. Kim's gold medal was the first for Korea internationally in Greco-Roman since 2021 when Hansu RYU (KOR) won the Asian Championships gold medal at 72kg in Almaty.

RESULTS

Greco-Roman

60kg
GOLD: Ali AHMADI VAFA (IRI) df. Yu Chol RO (PRK), 10-0

BRONZE: Akyl SULAIMANOV (KGZ) df. Seunghak KIM (KOR), 9-0
BRONZE: SAHIL (IND) df. SUMIT (IND), via inj. def.

63kg
GOLD: Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) df. Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI), via inj. def.

BRONZE: Yerkebulan ARDAKOV (KAZ) df. Hyunwoong CHOI (KOR), 7-4

130kg
GOLD: Minseok KIM (KOR) df. Nambardagva BATBAYAR (MGL), 8-0

BRONZE: Olzhas SYRLYBAY (KAZ) df. Joginder RATHEE (IND), 10-0

Women's Wrestling

50kg
GOLD: Son hyang KIM (PRK) df. Anqi BAO (CHN), 10-0

BRONZE: Miyu NAKAMURA (JPN) df. Evin DEMIRHAN (TUR), 4-0
BRONZE: NEELAM (IND) df. Maral TANGIRBERGENOVA (KAZ), 10-0

53kg
GOLD: Kyong Ryong OH (PRK) df. Moe KIYOOKA (JPN), 10-6

BRONZE: Christianah OGUNSANYA (NGR) df. Otgontuya BAYANMUNKH (MGL) , 6-6
BRONZE: Andreea ANA (ROU) df. Namuuntsetseg TSOGT OCHIR (MGL), via fall (11-0)

57kg
GOLD: MANISHA (IND) df. Il Sim SON (PRK), via fall (3-1)

BRONZE: Nilufar RAIMOVA (KAZ) df. Danielle LIM (SGP), 10-0
BRONZE: Elvira SULEYMAN (TUR) df. Khulan BATKHUYAG (MGL), via forfeit

59kg
GOLD: NEHA (IND) df. Pyol HONG (PRK), 5-3

BRONZE: Bolortuya KHURELKHUU (MGL) df. Bediha GUN (TUR), via fall (4-1)

72kg
GOLD: Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL) df. Bolortungalag ZORIGT (MGL), 12-2

BRONZE: Odgerel ERDENE OCHIR (MGL) df. Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ), via inj. def.

Pan-American Championships 2025 Preview

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Oh Beats Kiyooka in Battle of World Champs in Ulaanbaatar