#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)

#WrestleAlexandria

Wrestling World's Attention on Dunia after Golden Show

By United World Wrestling Press

ALEXANDRIA, Egypt (May 2) -- Dunia SIBOMANA (COD) was six years old when, in an instant, his childhood was shattered.

While playing with his brother and cousin at the Virunga National Park in the Congo, the three boys were attacked by chimpanzees. His brother and cousin did not survive. Dunia did, but just barely. The attack left him with devastating injuries to his lips, face, and right ear. Much of the muscle in his face was destroyed, and he lost the middle finger of his left hand. Yet from that unimaginable tragedy, a story of resilience began to take shape - one that saw rise to claim two golds at the African Championships in Alexandria.

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At just eight years old, Dunia was brought to the United States for a chance at rebuilding what had been taken from him. What followed was a long and gruelling journey through 14 intensive surgeries, where doctors painstakingly grafted tissue and muscle in an effort to reconstruct his lips and restore basic function to his face. Each procedure was another battle, each recovery another test of endurance.

During his time in the United States, Dunia lived with two host families before finding a permanent home with Long Beach assistant wrestling coach Miguel Rodriguez and his wife, Marissa. What began as care turned into something deeper. They adopted him, giving him not just stability but a family. In 2019, Dunia officially became a permanent U.S. resident.

That possibility found its outlet on the wrestling mat. Dunia emerged as a force in middle school and continued to rise through the ranks at Long Beach High School. His determination, forged through years of hardship, translated into a relentless drive. At just 14 years old, he captured the New York State Division 1 wrestling championship title in 2022, a stunning achievement that marked him as one of the sport’s brightest young talents.

On Saturday, Dunia’s journey reached another defining moment. Competing at 57kg for his birth nation, Congo, he claimed the gold medal with commanding authority. He opened with a tense 3-2 victory over Alaa ELSAYED (EGY), then surged past Mouadh CHIBANI (ALG) with a dominant 12-2 semifinal win. In the final, he needed just 51 seconds to overwhelm Roland NFORSONG (CMR), sealing a 10–0 technical superiority victory.

Dunia’s march to the top of the podium was even more remarkable because he was one of the two wrestlers in Freestyle not from Egypt or Algeria to win the gold medal. The other wrestler who put the brakes on Egypt’s dominance was Harrison ONOVWIOMOGBOHWO (NGR), who defeated Mohamed SALAHELDIN (EGY) 10-4 to win the gold medal in the 97kg category.

These two results, however, did not stop Egypt from running away with the team title. The host-nation wrestlers reigned supreme in six out of the 10 categories, winning gold medals in the 61kg, 65kg, 70kg, 74kg, 92kg and 125kg weight classes. Algeria were second best, claiming top-of-the-podium finishes at 79kg and 86kg divisions.

Hassan ELSAYED (EGY) started the fireworks for the hosts by defending his title at 61kg. He started with a flawless 12-0 win over Saviour EGOLI (NGR), then beat Rabby KILANDI (COD) on superiority in the second round. He maintained his unbeaten record by defeating Tadeu DE DEUS (ANG) in the third round and entering the semifinals, where he defeated Mustapha BATNINI (TUN) 11-0. In the final, Elsayed beat Abdelghani AID (ALG) 9-1 to win the title.

Shehabeldin MOHAMED (EGY) took just two minutes to pin Stephen AKINTEWE (NGR) in the 65kg final to claim the title. He used a perfect over-under to throw Akintewe and secure the fall. Soon after, Mohamed AHMED (EGY) was even quicker to win the 70kg final against Wotna NDOC (GBS), 12-1, rolling him using the gut-wrench to win in just 1:02 minutes and upgrading his 2025 silver to gold.

Defending champion at 74kg Omar MOURAD (EGY) managed to retain his gold medal after winning the final against Ebierelayefa ANDREW (NGR) in just 1:13. Mourad used a counter front headlock to throw Andrew over and then pinned the Nigerian used a double-arm lock.

Ahmed MOHAMED (EGY) added the fifth gold medal, beating Walid CHEIKH LAHLOU (MAR), 12-0, in the 92kg final. He used an arm-throw to score four points, then a fireman carry to get two more and lead 6-0. He could not pin Lahlou but got two more points for exposure. A second arm-throw gave him four more points and win the final via technical superiority.

In the round-robin bracket at 125kg, Abdelrahman SHEYATAN (EGY) won all four of his bouts in dominant fashion to claim the gold medal. He won his first bout against Joel TOKAI (KEN), 10-0, pinned Issah FUSEINI (GHA), got a forfeit in Round 4 and then pinned Laid KHELIF (ALG), the eventual silver medalist, in Round 5.

At 79kg, Abdelkader IKKAL (ALG) managed to defended his gold medal at the expense of Mohamed ABDELHADY (EGY), winning the final 10-0. A stepout opened the scoring for Ikkal who then scored a takedown using a leg-attack before lacing Abdelhady for a turn to lead 5-0. He tripped the Egyptian for two more points before an easy takedown made it 9-0. He finished the final with a stepout to win just before the break.

Fateh BENFERDJALLAH (ALG) reclaimed the 86kg title after three years, beating Gabriel MC DUFFIE (SLE), 12-0 in the final. He used two beautiful arm throws to score eight points and two turns for two points each. Despite the loss to Benferdjallah, McDuffie can be proud that he is the first-ever Freestyle silver medalist for Sierra Leone at the African Championships.

Photo

RESULTS

57kg
GOLD: Dunia SIBOMANA (COD) df. Roland TAMBI NFORSONG (CMR), 10-0

BRONZE: John LEOPOLD (MRI) df. Makaya KATENDI (ANG), 9-1
BRONZE: Mouadh CHIBANI (ALG) df. Alaa ELSAYED (EGY), 11-7

61kg
GOLD: Hassan ELSAYED (EGY) df. Abdelghani AID (ALG), 9-1

BRONZE: Saviour EGOLI (NGR) df. Mustapha BATNINI (TUN), 5-5

65kg
GOLD: Shehabeldin MOHAMED (EGY) df. Stephen AKINTEWE (NGR), via fall

BRONZE: Raby BAPELEKIA (CGO) df. Gilbert MWAMBA (ZAM), 11-0
BRONZE: Oussama LARIBI (ALG) df. Gabriel YANGA (COD), 10-0

70kg
GOLD: Mohamed AHMED (EGY) df. Wotna NDOC (GBS), 12-1

BRONZE: Khaireddine BEN TLILI (TUN) df. Mourad SAAD (MAR), via forfeit
BRONZE: Dideikemei EREFAGHA (NGR) df. Elie DJEKOUNDAKOM DJERAYOM (CHA), 12-0

74kg
GOLD: Omar MOURAD (EGY) df. Ebierelayefa ANDREW (NGR), via fall

BRONZE: Abderrahmane BENAISSA (ALG) df. Jacques MONTY MBOUGOU (CMR), 5-2
BRONZE: Caetano ANTONIO SA (GBS) df. Omar LAMBARRAA (MAR), 7-5

79kg
GOLD: Abdelkader IKKAL (ALG) df. Mohamed ABDELHADY (EGY), 10-0

BRONZE: Solomon ULABO (NGR) df. Totiana RAZAFINJATO (MAD), via fall
BRONZE: Andy MUKENDI (COD) df. Mohammed BOUAZOUNI (MAR), 10-0

86kg
GOLD: Fateh BENFERDJALLAH (ALG) df. Gabriel MC DUFFIE (SLE), 12-0

BRONZE: Mohamed EL MEKKAOUI (MAR) df. Persy BAMONA (COD), via fall
BRONZE: Matteo MONTEIRO FURTADO TRESSE (CPV) df. Bouba SALEH (CHA), 10-3

92kg
GOLD: Ahmed MOHAMED (EGY) df. Walid CHEIKH LAHLOU (MAR), 12-0

BRONZE: Kevin MOSSE (BUR) df. Tiwisna BAMBA (CHA), via fall

97kg
GOLD: Harrison ONOVWIOMOGBOHWO (NGR) df. Mohamed SALAHELDIN (EGY), 10-4

BRONZE: Wali KEBIR (ALG) df. Cedric ABOSSOLO (CMR), via inj. def.

125kg
GOLD: Abdelrahman SHEYATAN (EGY)
SILVER: Laid KHELIF (ALG)
BRONZE: Issah FUSEINI (GHA)