#WrestleGuatemala

USA Sweeps Gold Medals at Day Two of #WrestleGuatemala as Honduras' Mejia Earns OW

By Taylor Miller

GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala – The USA won gold medals in all seven weights contested on Friday, including three titles in Greco-Roman and four titles in women’s freestyle at the 2021 Pan American Championships in Guatemala City.

Providing an outstanding performance that outshone the rest, Kevin MEJIA CASTILLO (HON) was named awarded the Golden Boot as the Greco-Roman Outstanding Wrestler for his Thursday-night gold-medal win at 97 kg. 

Winning in Greco-Roman was Peyton WALSH (USA), Ben PROVISOR (USA) and John STEFANOWICZ (USA).

At 77kg, Walsh defeated two-time Senior Pan Am finalist Joilson DE BRITO RAMOS JUNIOR (BRA) in a hotly contested match. Walsh led 5-0 at the break, but de Brito Ramos Junior fought back hard in the second period, scoring five points. Ultimately, Walsh held on for a 5-5 win on criteria as de Brito Ramos Junior had a caution against him.

Two-time Olympian Provisor recorded two technical superiority wins, 9-0 and 8-0, in his three-man round robin to claim the 82kg title. This is Provisor’s third Pan Am gold medal with his first coming in 2017 in Greco-Roman and his second coming in 2018 in men’s freestyle.

Tokyo Olympian Stefanowicz took home the gold after a dramatic finals match at 87kg. Wrestling against Ariel ALFONSO RODRIGUEZ (HON), Stefanowicz trailed 1-0 at the break. To start the second period, Stefanowicz scored a step out and in the flurry of action, Alfonso Rodriguez exhibited unsportsmanlike conduct and was disqualified from the match.

USA won the Greco-Roman team title, earning 205 points. Brazil placed second with 95 points and Mexico rounded out the top-three with 94 points.

Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) finishes a shot on Neidy Lizeth VASQUEZ GOMEZ (GUA) on her way to the 10-0 shutout opening-round win. (Photo: Tony Rotundo)

The U.S. women’s freestyle champions were Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA), Maya NELSON (USA), Jennifer ROGERS PAGE (USA) and Alexandria GLAUDE (USA).

2019 World champion and Tokyo Olympian Winchester absolutely dominated the 55kg bracket, collecting a 4-0 record, including three technical superiorities and one pin. This marks her first Pan American gold medal, but she also owns a bronze medal from the 2018 Pan Am Championships.

At 59kg, 2017 Junior World champion Nelson clinched the title with two wins on the day, including an impressive win in which she knocked off 2019 Senior World champion Linda MORAIS (CAN), 5-5. To secure the title, Nelson dominated Karoline SILVA DE SANTANA (BRA) with a 12-2 victory.

Rogers Page earned her second Pan Am title, winning four matches in a Nordic bracket. In the final, she took on Ashley ZARATE CAMPBELL (PAN), who she defeated earlier in the day. For gold, Rogers Page dominated the Panamanian with pin in 52 seconds. She adds to her 2015 Pan Am gold medal.

To win gold at 72kg, U23 World bronze medalist Glaude went 2-0 on the day. To start her tournament, Glaude dominated 2020 Pan Am champion Yanet SOVERO NINO (PER) with a fall in only 25 seconds. To secure the title, Glaude beat Brenda AGUIAR DOS SANTOS (BRA), 10-0.

The competition continues tomorrow with the remaining women’s freestyle weights and the beginning of men’s freestyle. Wrestling begins at 12 p.m. local time. Fans can watch all the action live at uww.org.

En español
CIUDAD DE GUATEMALA – Los Estados Unidos ganó medallas de oro en los siete categorías  disputadas el viernes, incluyendo tres títulos en grecorromano y cuatro títulos en estilo libre femenino en el Campeonato Panamericano 2021 en la Ciudad de Guatemala. 

El ganador del botín de oro fue Kevin MEJIA CASTILLO (HON), el campeón de la categoría 97 kg, quien compitio el jueves. 

Los ganadores en grecorromano fueron Peyton WALSH (USA), Ben PROVISOR (USA) y John STEFANOWICZ (USA).

En la categoría 77 kg, Peyton WALSH (USA) tuvo un combate cerrado con dos veces finalista panamericana Joilson DE BRITO RAMOS JUNIOR (BRA) para el oro. Walsh estaba ganando 5-0 en el periodo del descanso, pero en el segundo periodo, de Brito Ramos Junior marcó cinco puntos para poner el combate en un empate. Walsh ganó por criterio, 5-5.

Ben PROVISOR (USA), el dos veces olímpico, ganó dos combates para hacerse con el título en 82 kg. Ambos fueron victorias por superioridad técnica, 9-0 y 8-0. Es la tercera medalla de oro panamericana para él. También ganó el oro en grecorromano en 2017 y el oro en estilo libre masculino en 2018.

Olimpico Stefanowicz ganó el oro después de un final dramático en 87 kg. Luchando contra Ariel ALFONSO RODRIGUEZ (HON), Stefanowicz estaba perdiendo 1-0. En el segundo periodo, entre un momento de acción, Alfonso Rodriguez mostró conducta antideportiva y fue descalificado.

USA ganó el título del equipo con 205 puntos. Brasil produjo la medalla de plata con 95 puntos y asegurando el bronce fue México con 94 puntos.

Las luchadoras estadounidenses ganaron cada categoría en el estilo libre femenino. Las campeonas fueron Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA), Maya NELSON (USA), Jennifer ROGERS PAGE (USA) y Alexandria GLAUDE (USA).

La campeona mundial de 2019 y olímpica Winchester dominó a la categoría 55 kg. Ella recogió un record de 4-0, ganando tres con superioridades técnicas y el otro combate por puestaespalda. Esta es su primera medalla de oro panamericana. También tiene una medalla de bronce del campeonato panamericano de 2018.

En 59 kg, Nelson, una campeona mundial juvenil de 2017, aseguró el título con una victoria impresionante contra la campeona mundial de 2019, Linda MORAIS (CAN) en su primera pelea, 5-5. Más tarde en el día, derrotó a Karoline SILVA DE SANTANA (BRA), 12-2.

Rogers Page ganó cuatro peleas en la categoría de 65 kg para llevar el oro. En el final, derrotó a Ashley ZARATE CAMPBELL (PAN) por la segunda vez hoy con una puestaespalda en 52 segundos. En una competencia Nordic, Rogers Page venció a Zarate Campbell, 11-1, en su primer combate del dia. Es su segunda medalla de oro panamericano. La primera vino en 2015.

Para ganar el oro en 72 kg, Glaude, una medallista mundial U23, se fue 2-0 en el día. Primero, Glaude derrotó a la campeona panamericana 2020 Yanet SOVERO NINO (PER) con un puestaespalda en solo 25 segundos. Esta noche, en su última combate, Glaude se enfrentó a Brenda AGUIAR DOS SANTOS (BRA) y venció con un triunfo 10-0.

La competencia sigue mañana con el estilo libre femenino y el estilo libre masculino. Empieza a las 12 p.m. hora local. Se puede ver toda la acción en uww.org.

GRECO-ROMAN RESULTS
77kg
GOLD – Peyton WALSH (USA) df.
Joilson DE BRITO RAMOS JUNIOR (BRA), 5-5
BRONZE – Reinier JIMENEZ TERRY (GUA) df. Matias CABEZAS CORNEJO (CHI), 8-0
BRONZE – Marciano ALI (PUR) df. Enrique CUERO ORTIZ (ECU), 13-2

82kg
GOLD – Ben PROVISOR (USA)
SILVER –  David Elias CHOC HUOC (GUA)
BRONZE – Alexis MARTINEZ SANCHEZ (MEX)

87 kg
GOLD – John STEFANOWICZ (USA)
SILVER – Daniel VICENTE GOMEZ (MEX)
BRONZE – Ronisson BRANDAO SANTIAGO (BRA)

WOMEN’S FREESTYLE RESULTS
55kg
GOLD – Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA)
SILVER – Virginie KAZE GASCON (CAN)
BRONZE – Anny RAMIREZ PEREZ (DOM)

59kg
GOLD – Maya NELSON (USA)
SILVER – Linda MORAIS (CAN)
BRONZE – Karoline SILVA DE SANTANA (BRA)

65kg
GOLD – Jennifer ROGERS PAGE (USA) df.
Ashley ZARATE CAMPBELL (PAN), fall 0:52
BRONZE – Amanda SAVARD (CAN) df.
Diana CRUZ ARROYO (PER), 2-1

72kg
GOLD – Alexandria GLAUDE (USA)
SILVER – Yanet SOVERO NINO (PER)
BRONZE – Brenda AGUIAR DOS SANTOS (BRA)

#WrestleAthens

Turner back on top with second U17 title; India wins 2 golds

By Vinay Siwach

ATHENS, Greece (July 31) -- There have been dominant runs in Women's Wrestling at the World U17 Championships history and now Morgan TURNER (USA) has joined that list as well.

After winning the world title in 2023, Turner had to be satisfied with a bronze medal in 2024. However, that bronze made Turner more determined to end her U17 age-group career on high.

Wrestling at the U17 Worlds for the third time, Turner won her second world title at this age-group. She won the 49kg gold medal in Athens, Greece on Thursday, giving United States the first gold of the tournament.

"I definitely wanted to come back harder coming from bronze last year," Turner said. So my goal was to win it. I just preparing eventually, physically and emotionally. The bronze shadowed over the gold. So I had to come back and I had to get gold. I love it."

Turner, facing Yu KATAOKA (JPN) in the 49kg final, showed how to counter those Japanese low-single attacks. Every time Kataoka tried to go for them, Tuner would sit low and block with counterattacks.

Kataoka even tried getting behind but Turner held such good positions that she was able to counter and score, eventually winning 6-1. In four bouts, the final was the only one in which did not finish with technical superiority.

Now with two golds, Turner said that Thursday's gold proved that she has evolved as a wrestler and could perform moves other than the double-legs that she has been famous for.

"Two years ago was a lot a lot more nerves. I was on cloud nine. I was 14. I was super nervous," she said. "I feel like I need to grow as a wrestler. I left the double. I don't need to do a double all the time. I can shoot sweeps. I can do little singles. I can do cradles, I can do throws, I can do different things."

With her U17 career finished, Turner will now be focused on U20 and perhaps the senior level as well.

RACHANA (IND)RACHANA (IND) won the gold medal at 43kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Mixed day for India

India, the defending team champions, had a mixed day in the field. It had four wrestlers in the finals but only two came back with gold medals.

Former world U17 silver medalist RACHNA (IND) held her own lead against Xin HUANG (CHN) and secured the gold medal at 43kg. She scored a takedown in the first period to lead 2-0 and Huang was called passive in the second to give one more point to Rachna.

Huang did get a couple of attacks going but was not able to finish. Rachana's gold was the first for India of the night.

Ashvini VISHNOI (IND)Two-time Asian U17 champion Ashvini VISHNOI (IND) is now a world U17 champion at 65kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Two-time Asian U17 champion Ashvini VISHNOI (IND) added the second as she defeated Mukhayyo RAKHIMJONOVA (UZB) at 65kg with a similar score and scoring actions. With the win, Vishnoi also denied Rakhimjonova a chance of history as she could have become the first-ever world champion for Uzbekistan in Women's Wrestling at any level.

Wenjin QIU (CHN)Wenjin QIU (CHN) defeated KAJAL (IND) in the 73kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Returning world U17 champion from 69kg KAJAL (IND), now at 73kg, suffered a loss to Wenjin QIU (CHN) in the final. This was Kajal's second loss in two months to Qiu who had defeated the Indian 10-0 in the Asian U17 Championships final in Vietnam.

Kajal began on an attacking note and raced to a 4-0 lead with two takedowns. However, in the second period, Qiu was able to counter better. Qiu scored a four-pointer and then exposure as she was looking to pin Kajal. After the sequence, Qiu led 6-5. 

Still, Kajal got Qiu locked from behind and was about to throw her for four points but the Chinese managed to block that and land Kajal in danger for two points, extending her lead to 8-5, which became the winning score for her.

The second loss for India came in the 57kg final after a bizarre sequence of events. MONI (IND), who won the Asian U17 gold over Madkhiya USMANOVA (KAZ), faced her again in the finals in Athens.

Moni scored the first takedown of the bout but Usmanova hit a headlock for four to lead 4-2. The scramble continued and Moni got a point for reversal. However, Usmanov got another exposure for two more points and led 6-3 as the referee asked the wrestlers to return to center.

Moni does a double arm lock throw for two points to cut the lead to 6-5 with just over a minute left in the bout. Moni, who perhaps thought that she was leading the bout, did not engage with Usmanova for the next 50 seconds. Even Usmanova, who was leading, did not bother to get into a tangle.

Ultimately, Moni went for the attack with only 10 seconds left but Usmanova was not letting her score with gold on line. With her 6-5 win, Usmanova became the first Women's Wrestling world champion for Kazakhstan in 13 years and avenged her loss to Moni from the Asian U17 Championships final.

RESULTS

43kg
GOLD: RACHANA (IND) df. Xin HUANG (CHN), 3-0

BRONZE: Madison HEALEY (USA) df. Mareim ABDELAAL (EGY), via fall
BRONZE: Inzhu BAKKOZHA (KAZ) df. Raniia RAKHMANOVA (UWW), via fall

49kg
GOLD: Morgan TURNER (USA) df. Yu KATAOKA (JPN), 6-1

BRONZE: Polina BOCHKAREVA (UWW) df. Azema KALIDINOVA (KGZ), 6-6
BRONZE: Komal VERMA (IND) df. Anhelina BURKINA (UWW), 8-3

57kg
GOLD: Madkhiya USMANOVA (KAZ) df. MONI (IND), 6-5

BRONZE: Sayuki TANADA (JPN) df. Sophie RITTER (ITA), 4-4
BRONZE: Alina BAROEVA (UWW) df. Marta MANKOWSKA (POL), 6-1

65kg
GOLD: Ashvini VISHNOI (IND) df. Mukhayyo RAKHIMJONOVA (UZB), 3-0

BRONZE: Feenja HERMANN (GER) df. Alexandra MOISEI (MDA), 4-2
BRONZE: Lilia ERMOKHINA (UWW) df. Anujin ERKHEMBAATAR (MGL), 9-2

73kg
GOLD: Wenjin QIU (CHN) df. KAJAL (IND), 8-5

BRONZE: Ella Jo POALILLO (USA) df. Anna GODELASHVILI (GEO), via fall
BRONZE: Eylem ENGIN (TUR) df. Deborah GARCIA (MEX), 9-1