#WrestleBuenosAires

USA earns four titles, Cuba two in opening day of Pan Ams

By Taylor GREGORIO

BUENOS AIRES, Argentina (May 3) -– The 2023 Pan American Championships kicked off today in Buenos Aires, Argentina, with six Greco-Roman weight classes contested — 55kg, 60kg, 67kg, 72kg, 97kg and 130kg. 

Seven weights were scheduled for today; however, no entries were registered at 63kg. 

At 55kg, it was a round-robin tournament with Dalton DUFFIELD (USA) taking the gold with a pair of wins over Jose RODRIGUEZ HERNANDEZ (MEX) and Axel ROLON (ARG), who earned silver and bronze, respectively. 

The USA also added gold medals at 60kg, 72kg and 97kg. 

Dalton ROBERTS (USA) registered a 9-0 technical fall in the 60kg finals over Jeremy PERALTA GONZALEZ (ECU). Roberts opened scoring with a step out for a 1-0 lead and was later awarded a four-point throw, which was overturned after Peralta’s corner challenged the call. Shortly after, Roberts got on top with a takedown and immediately went into a trapped-arm gut for three turns to end the bout. 

For gold at 72kg, Justus SCOTT (USA) outlasted Kenedy MORAES PEDROSA (BRA). The score was knotted, 1-1, at the break, but Scott gained momentum with a passivity call for a chance on top, leading to a pair of turns. Moraes earned a late step out, but it was not enough, and Scott emerged with a 6-2 victory. 

The 97kg finals was a win by injury default for Josef RAU (USA), who was slated to face two-time defending Pan Am champ Kevin MEJIA CASTILLO (HON). The win marks Rau’s third Pan Am title with golds coming in 2015 and 2020. 

There were also injury defaults in the finals at 67kg and 130kg. Both victors in those matches hail from Cuba. Taking the crown at 67kg was Tokyo Olympic champion Luis ORTA SANCHEZ (CUB). It’s his third Pan Am gold. At 130kg, three-time World medalist Oscar PINO HINDS (CUB) collected his fifth Pan Am title. 

The tournament continues tomorrow with the conclusion of Greco-Roman (77kg, 82kg, 87kg) and the start of women’s freestyle (55kg, 59kg, 65kg, 72kg). Fans can catch all the action live on UWW.org. 

RESULTS

55kg
GOLD – Dalton DUFFIELD (USA)
SILVER – Jose RODRIGUEZ HERNANDEZ (MEX)
BRONZE – Axel ROLON (ARG) 

60kg
GOLD – Dalton ROBERTS (USA) df. Jeremy PERALTA GONZALEZ (ECU), 9-0 

BRONZE – Kevin DE ARMAS RODRIGUEZ (CUB) df. Ditcher TORO CASTANEDA (COL), win by injury default
BRONZE – Raiber RODRIGUEZ OROZCO (VEN) df. Alexis RODRIGUEZ HERNANDEZ (MEX), 7-2 

67kg
GOLD – Luis ORTA SANCHEZ (CUB) df. Nestor ALMANZA TRUYOL (CHI), win by injury default
BRONZE – Julian HORTA ACEVEDO (COL) df. Enyer FELICIANO (DOM), 9-2
BRONZE – Andres MONTANO ARROYO (ECU) df. Edisson OLMOS GUTIERREZ (MEX), 6-1 

72kg
GOLD – Justus SCOTT (USA) df. Kenedy MORAES PEDROSA (BRA), 6-2
BRONZE – Jose VARELA GARCIA (GUA) df. Jesus GUZMAN DAVILA (PER), 3-1 

97kg
GOLD – Josef RAU (USA) df. Kevin MEJIA CASTILLO (HON), win by injury default
BRONZE – Igor ALVES DE QUEIROZ (BRA) df. Ricardo GOMEZ (ARG), 9-0
BRONZE – Carlos ADAMES PALMER (DOM) df. Luillys PEREZ MORA (VEN), 9-0 

130kg
GOLD – Oscar PINO HINDS (CUB) df. Gino AVILA DILBERT (HON), win by injury default
BRONZE – Yasmani ACOSTA FERNANDEZ (CHI) df. Donald LONGENDYKE (USA), 8-0
BRONZE – Eduard SOGHOMONYAN (BRA) df. Moises PEREZ HELLBURG (VEN), 5-3

#development

Wrestling with Excellence: Armenia upskills coaches and referees

By United World Wrestling Press

YEREVAN, Armenia (April 18) -- Armenia Wrestling Federation organized a coaching and referee course during its national championships with an aim to improve in respective fields. The course was done in conjunction with Olympic Solidarity and United World Wrestling

The courses, organized for the second time by Armenia, took place between March 22-31 at the Olympic Centre in Yerevan. The federation had previously organized a Level 1 Coaching Course and the Introduction to Referee Course.

The referee course was organized before the national championships and began on March 22.  The Level 2 course -- Referee Foundations Course -- was led by Alexey BAZULIN.

With 19 referee participants, the first three days of the course focused on the theoretical content and included some practice on the mat. All participants used the acquired skilled practically during the three days during the championships.

"The seminar participants worked as one team, helping each other and were involved in the work process, analyzing and applying the knowledge gained," Bazulin said.

Following the competition, the referees and coaches worked together in a joint session led by both UWW Educators. The Level 2 coaching course began on March 27 and was led by Sergei KOVALENKO.

The course had 14 participants, who covered numerous practice planning concepts in both theoretical and practical sessions. The seminar participants expressed the opinion that such seminars should be held regularly. This provides an opportunity to consolidate previously acquired knowledge, learn something new, share experiences, and analyze advanced teaching methods and other activities.