#WrestleOttawa

Rau and Pena Claim Second Pan Am Titles, Sovero wins gold in 13th Pan Am event

By Taylor GREGORIO

Photo of Yosvanys PENA FLORES (CUB). By Tony Rotundo. 

OTTAWA, Canada – Greco-Roman action of the Pan American Championships wrapped up on Saturday with the final three weight classes, while the first two women’s weight classes were contested.

The United States won two of the last three Greco gold medals, earning it the team title with 200 points. In second place was Cuba with 105 points. Cuba collected the other gold medal on Saturday.

John STEFANOWICZ (82 kg) and Josef RAU (87 kg) emerged victorious from their respective weight classes for the United States.

Stefanowicz put together a 2-0 record in round-robin action to secure the gold. In his final match of the day, he dominated Marciano ALI (PUR) with a 14-4 technical fall, which featured multiple big throws.

At 87 kg, Rau drew two passivity points from Carlos MUNOZ JARAMILLO (COL) in the gold-medal match and scored gut wrenches each time in par terre for a 6-0 win.

Yosvanys PENA FLORES (CUB) won his second-consecutive Pan Am Championships title, taking the crown at 77 kg.

Wrestling in a Nordic system bracket, Pena lost earlier in the day to Pat Smith in pool action. The two eventually met up once again in the finals, where the Cuban got his revenge.

Trailing after the first period, Pena got an opportunity on top, where picked up a gut wrench and held on to defeat Smith, 3-1.

Photo of Yanet SOVERO NINO (PER). By Tony Rotundo. 

In women’s freestyle, Yanet SOVERO NINO (PER) impressed at 72 kg, winning her first Pan Am title and sixth overall continental medal. She won her first Senior Pan American medal in 2002.

Sovero went 3-0 on the day, dominating the field. She opened her tournament with back-to-back falls before securing a 10-0 technical fall her final round against Shauna KUEBECK (CAN).

At 59 kg in women’s, 2018 U23 World champion Alexandria TOWN (CAN) swept the field, winning all three of her matches by technical fall. In her last match, she took out Karoline SILVA DE SANTANA (BRA), 10-0.

There were two athletes funded by the United World Wrestling Development Technical Assistance program that won medals today, including a silver medal from Nes Marie RODRIGUEZ TIRADO (PUR) at 57 kg in women’s freestyle and a bronze from Lesyan COUSIN OTOMURO (JAM) at 87 kg in Greco-Roman.

Final Greco Team standings
1. USA – 200
2. Cuba – 105
3. Venezuela – 69
4. Mexico – 68
5. Colombia – 67
6. Brazil – 65
7. Canada – 55
8. Dominican Republic – 42
9. Puerto Rico – 29
10. Honduras - 18

Greco-Roman results
77 kg
GOLD - Yosvanys PENA FLORES (CUB) df. Patrick SMITH (USA), 3-1
BRONZE - Wuileixis de Jesus RIVAS ESPINOZA (VEN) df. Jair Alexis CUERO MUNOZ (COL), 6-1

82 kg
GOLD - John STEFANOWICZ (USA)
SILVER – Jose Andres VARGAS RUEDA (MEX)
BRONZE - Marciano ALI (PUR)

87 kg
GOLD - Josef RAU (USA) df. Carlos MUNOZ JARAMILLO (COL), 6-0
BRONZE - Lesyan Osvaldo COUSIN OTOMURO (JAM), win by injury default
BRONZE - Ronisson BRANDAO SANTIAGO (BRA), win by injury default

Women’s freestyle results
59 kg
GOLD - Alexandria TOWN (CAN)
SILVER – Nes Marie RODRIGUEZ TIRADO (PUR)
BRONZE – Lauren LOUIVE (USA)

72 kg
GOLD - Yanet SOVERO NINO (PER)
SILVER – Victoria FRANCIS (USA)
BRONZE – Shauna KUEBECK (CAN)

#development

Algeria Hosts Successful UWW Level 1 Coaches Course

By United World Wrestling Press

FOUKA, TIPAZA, Algeria (May 15) -- A United World Wrestling Level 1: Introduction to Coaching and Safety coaching course was successfully organized by the Algerian Wrestling Federation, UWW and Olympic Solidarity.

The five-day course was organized at the National Teams Training and Preparation Center in Fouka, Tipaza from May 7 to 11 and it brought together wrestling coaches from across Algeria in an atmosphere marked by discipline, professionalism, and a shared commitment to developing wrestling at both national and continental levels.

The course was conducted by international UWW experts Vincent AKA and Ahmed KHEDHRI, who delivered theoretical and practical sessions focused on modern coaching methodology, athlete safety, technical development, and the core principles of international wrestling training standards.

Algeria

Throughout the course, participants demonstrated remarkable engagement, collaboration, and enthusiasm. Coaches exchanged experiences, strengthened their technical knowledge, and reinforced their collective ambition to contribute to the long-term growth of Algerian wrestling.

The closing ceremony, highlighted by the presentation of certificates to all participants, reflected the success of the program and the strong educational momentum currently shaping wrestling development in Algeria.

During the course, several participants expressed their gratitude and appreciation for the quality of the training and the spirit of unity created throughout the event.

"This training was a true source of inspiration for all of us. Thanks to the professionalism, pedagogy, and expertise shared during the course, we experienced an unforgettable educational journey," said Fodil BOURAS SIDAHEMED on behalf of the group “Les Guerriers.”

Another participant, AK DJAHID, praised the atmosphere among the coaches, emphasizing “solidarity, respect, professionalism, and exemplary behavior throughout the entire course.”

UWW

The event also coincided with the official visit of Development Director of UWW Deqa NIAMKEY, who visited several wrestling development sites in Algeria and met with national sports authorities.

During her visit, Niamkey highlighted the impressive progress achieved by the Algerian Wrestling Federation in recent years and reaffirmed UWW’s support for the federation’s ambitious long-term development strategy, particularly its investment in youth wrestling and grassroots programs.