#Lima2019

Rivas Supera Obstáculos y Gana Medalla de Plata en los Juegos Panamericanos

Thursday, August 8, 2019 - 02:56 By Taylor Miller

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Wuilexis RIVAS ESPINOZA (VEN) ganó una medalla de plata en el primer día de los Juegos Panamericanos después de solo un mes de preparación.

“Me salió todo como lo planifique, la verdad es que fue muy duro, sabemos todas las adversidades que estamos pasando en Venezuela. Gracias a Dios se me dio la oportunidad de llegar a la final”, dijo Rivas.

Rivas Espinoza, quien clamó el oro en los Juegos Panamericanos de 2015, sufrió una lesión en su rodilla el año pasado. Un pequeño retroceso, estuvo fuera de competencia hasta el Campeonato Panamericano de 2019 en Buenos Aires, Argentina, en abril. En esa competencia, terminó octavo.

En los cuatro meses cortos desde entonces, Rivas ha enfrentado otros obstáculos y decisiones importantes. Después del Campeonato Panamericano, Rivas decidió alejarse de lucha y conseguir un nuevo trabajo en un nuevo país para apoyar a su familia en Venezuela.

Hace solo un mes, hizo la transición de regreso a lucha y se ganó un lugar en el equipo de los Juegos Panamericanos en grecorromano con 77 kg.

Hoy, avanzó a la final después de una actuación impresionante en la mañana.

En el partido por la medalla de oro, perdió contra Pat SMITH (EE. UU.) En una batalla cerrada, pero todavía tiene una razón para sonreír.

“Vine aquí sin expectativas, y esto es mi libro de presión. Vine aquí para luchar porque yo amo esto ”, dijo Rivas.

#GrecoRoman

'Thank you, wrestling': Tokyo Olympic medalist Elsayed, 27, retires

Monday, July 14, 2025 - 10:34 By Vinay Siwach

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EGYPT (July 14) -- Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Mohamed ELSAYED (EGY) has announced his retirement from wrestling, concluding a distinguished career that included two Olympic appearances and two world U23 gold medals.

Elsayed posted on Instagram about his struggles with injuries and shared that the decision to retire was the "most difficult" for the 27-year-old wrestler.

"After many years of hard work, challenges, and victories [and] after I honored my country and raised its flag in internationally, and was able to achieve my dream and win an Olympic medal in Greco-Roman wrestling, I have reached the most difficult decision in my sports career.  I have decided to officially announce my retirement," Elsayed wrote in an emotional post.

Having won five gold medals at the African Championships, Elsayed was a trailblazer in Greco-Roman and was Egypt's new-found hope for the Olympics. He did not disappoint in Tokyo, where he had a surprising run to the semifinal, which he lost to Parviz NASIBOV (UKR), 7-6.

He bounced back in the bronze-medal bout and defeated Artem SURKOV (ROC), 1-1 to capture bronze, Egypt's first medal since 2012 London Olympics and only the third since 1960.

"Wrestling has always been more than just a sport to me," he wrote. "It was my life, my passion, and my support in the most difficult times. I thank God for every moment I lived on the mat and every moment of pride, and every encouragement I heard from my family, fans, and country."

One of the biggest achievements of Elsayed, apart from the Olympic medal, was winning successive world U23 gold medals in 2018 and 2019 at 67kg.

Elsayed expressed gratitude to various individuals who supported him throughout the journey including coaches and trainers. He also thanked wrestling.

"I thank every coach who helped me, every colleague who stood by me, and everyone who supported me with a kind word or a prayer from the heart. Thank you to everyone who was part of the journey.

"Thank you to wrestling, which taught me to be a man before being a champion."