#WrestleTirana

Wednesday's U23 World Championship semifinals set

Wednesday, October 25, 2023 - 08:43 By Eric Olanowski

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TIRANA, Albania (October 25) --- Welcome to the third day of wrestling at the 2023 U23 World Championships. Today, we'll welcome in five women's wrestling weights--50kg, 55kg, 59kg, 68kg and 76kg.

Top Stars in Action:
50kg - Nada MOHAMED (EGY) - U23 world bronze
53kg - Andreea Beatrice ANA (ROU) - U23 world gold 
53kg - Alisha Sue HOWK (USA) - U23 world bronze 
59kg - Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR) - U23 world bronze 
68kg - Nesrin BAS (TUR) - U23 world gold 
68kg - Manola SKOBELSKA (UKR) - U23 world bronze 
76kg - Anastasiya ALPYEYEVA (UKR) - U23 world bronze 
76kg - Kennedy BLADES (USA) - U20 world gold

Semifinal matches (as they come in):

50kg
Elnura MAMMADOVA (AZE) vs. Audrey Rae JIMENEZ (USA)
Emma Solange Irène LUTTENAUER (FRA) vs. Umi ITO (JPN)

55kg
Mariia VYNNYK (UKR) vs. Umi IMAI (JPN)
Neha SHARMA (UWW) vs. Aryna MARTYNAVA (AIN)

59kg
Sena NAGAMOTO (JPN) vs. Anastasiia SIDELNIKOVA (AIN)
Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR) vs. Michaela Amy RANKIN (CAN)

68kg
Vanessa Cheryl Elizabeth KEEFE (CAN) vs. Alina SHAUCHUK (AIN)
Nesrin BAS (TUR) vs. Vusala PARFIANOVICH (AIN)

76kg
Anastasiya ALPYEYEVA (UKR) vs. Reetika REETIKA (UWW)
Kamile GAUCAITE (LTU) vs. Kennedy Alexis BLADES (USA)

13:49: That's two matches up, and two matches down for Ito. She punched her ticket to tonight's semifinals with another tech fall. This time, it was a 13-2 win over Aida KERYMOVA (UKR).

13:07: I'm waiting for Tindra Linnea SJOEBERG (SWE) to come up on Mat B. She's someone who Sweden has invested heavily into, and their waiting to see the fruits of their efforts. They obviously see the potential or they wouldn't have sent her to six competitions--five of which were senior-level events--this season.

It would be a great one-two punch for Swesen if Sjoeberg can continue to improve over the next six months and somehow find a way to join this year's U23 European champion Jonna MALMGREN (SWE) at the Paris Olympic Games.

With years ahead of them, it feels like Sjoeberg and Malmgren could be the second coming of Swedish greats Sofia MATTSSON (SWE) and Jenny FRANSSON (SWE).

Sjoeberg will wrestle Alina SHAUCHUK (AIN) next on Mat B.

12:49: Ito took Szeker down four times and turned her once for a 10-0 first-period win. She'll compete next against the winner of Amanda TOMCZYK (POL) and Aida KERYMOVA (UKR).

12:22: As a massive Yui SUSAKI (JPN) fan, one think I always pay attention to is her fellow Japanese 50kg countrywomen. I'm trying to project who will be the successor to Susaki's 50kg throne after she goes up to 53kg following the Paris Olympic Games.

For that reason, I'm patiently waiting for Umi ITO (JPN) to take the mat. She's coming up on Mat C against in three matches, where she'll meet Szimonetta Timea SZEKER (HUN).

12:20: There wasn't much to say about the Vynnyk win. She came to the mat, scored ten quick points and left. She'll wrestle Kalmira BILIMBEK KYZY (KGZ) in the quarterfinals.

12:09: '21 U23 world champion Andreea ANA (ROU) just picked up an easy 10-0 win on Mat A. That brings up reigning U23 world bronze medalist Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR).

Vynnyk has been one of the most consistent U23 wrestlers in the world over the last few years. She's only lost twice, winning the U23 European Championships earlier this season and finishing with bronze medals last season at the World and European Championships.

11:34: Although there are no returning U23 world medalists in Japan's lineup, they have the most dominant women's program in the world and are "guarenteed" to win at least five golds.

Since the first edition of the U23 World Championships in 2017--and with the exception of the 2021 U23 World Championships where Japan sat out due to COVID restrictions--the Japanese women have won at least five world titles at every U23 World Championships.

11:25: I've said this before, but it's worth noting the depth of the United States at 76kg. Adeline Gray has to be the front-runner to win the spot, but Blades, Kylie WELKER and Amit ELOR (USA) are all serious threats that Gray should be training for.

I know Elor has repeatedly stated that she's heading down to 68kg, and it would be best for the United States lineup, but she's never cut weight, so don't rule out the potential that she goes up to 76kg just yet.

11:11: Well, that was short-lived. Blades only needed a minute to score the tech fall over Patrycja Monika SLOMSKA (POL). I don't think she's going to have much trouble in the bracket, with her biggest test ultimately coming against U23 world bronze medalist Anastasiya ALPYEYEVA (UKR). 

11:05: Kennedy BLADES (USA) is up now on Mat C. Earlier this year, Blades tech'ed six-time world Adeline GRAY (USA) and most thought she would represent the United States at the Senior World Championships. Gray had different thoughts, coming back to beat Blades in two straight matches to take the spot.

10:58: No matter how you spin it, a win is a win at this level. Bas didn't look her best in that opening round match, only scoring a referee-given point, but she ended up holding on to win 1-1 on criteria.

10:51: We just wrapped up our last freestyle repechage match and will now head directly into the women's wrestling qualification round matches. 

The first star up is defending champion Nasren BAS (TUR). She's up now on Mat C against Manola SKOBELSKA (UKR).

#WrestleMonterrey

Yepez adds third Pan-Am gold; U.S. wins WW team title

Sunday, May 11, 2025 - 08:06 By Vinay Siwach

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MONTERREY, Mexico (May 10) -- Paris Olympics silver medalist Lucia YEPEZ (ECU) completed a hat-trick of Pan-Am golds while the United States added two more gold medals to its tally in Women's Wrestling at the Pan-American Championships in Monterrey, Mexico. Canada, which won two golds on Friday, got another one through Laurence BEAUREGARD (CAN) at 59kg.

Overall, the United States won the team title with 207 points with Canada finishing second with 170 points. Hosts Mexico was third with 131 points.

Yepez, wrestling for the first time since the Paris Olympic final, won the gold medal at 53kg after a 7-0 win in the final against Mariana ROJAS (VEN). This was Yepez's third straight gold medal at the Pan-Ams.

Two stepout and a activity clock point against Rojas helped Yepez get a 3-0 lead before a double-leg takedown and turn made it 7-0 in the first period. Surprisingly, there was no more scoring in the final as Yepez was happy to hold the center and the lead to win the top medal.

Kylie WELKER (USA)Kylie WELKER (USA) tries to score against Thamires MARTINS (BRA) in the 76kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Osvaldo Aguilar)

The United States, which won three gold medals on Friday, added two more through world bronze medalists Macey KILTY (USA) at 65kg and Kylie WELKER (USA) at 76kg.

Kilty was in a four-wrestler round-robin bracket and won her three bouts effortlessly. Kilty defeated Miki ROWBOTTOM (CAN) 10-0 in Round 1, secured a fall against Leticia DE OLIVERIA (BRA) in Round 2 and another 10-0 win in Round 3 against Alexis GOMEZ (MEX).

Welker, up against a tough bracket in 76kg, stepped and impressed with her performance to win her first Pan-Am gold. Olympic bronze medalist Milaimy MARIN POTRILLE (CUB) and defending champion Genesis REASCO (ECU), who has a win over Welker, were in the bracket.

But it was Welker and Thamires MARTINS (BRA) who reached the final. Welker defeated Reasco 10-0 while Martins stopped Potrille 9-7, both in the semifinals.

In the final, it took little effort for Welker to see off Martins, 8-1. The first period saw only a point for Welker as Martins was put on the 30-second activity clock but failed to score.

Both wrestlers put on the activity period in the second period and Welker's lead adjusted to 2-1. The only scoring scramble of the match was when Martins tried an outside trip but had no control of Welker's upper body. Welker swiftly got her head out and then scored a takedown to lead 4-1.

Martins shot for Welker's legs quiet a few times but failed to score any points. In the final five seconds, Martins drove Welker to the edge before the American countered with a whizzer and scored four points for the win.

At 59kg, Laurence BEAUREGARD (CAN) added her fourth Pan-Am title by winning both her bouts, in a three-wrestler bracket, in with ease. She defeated Abigail NETTE (USA) 6-3 in Round 1 and scored a 12-1 victory over Alma VALENCIA (MEX), 12-1, in Round 2.

Jaxen FORREST (USA)Jaxen FORREST (USA) celebrates after winning the 61kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Osvaldo Aguilar)

Three Freestyle golds for U.S.

The Freestyle competition also began at the Pan-Am Championships on Saturday and the U.S. made a strong start. The country swept all three weight class, winning gold medals at 61kg, 74kg and 86kg.

At 61kg, 18-year-old Jaxen FORREST (USA) made his senior debut and won the gold without giving up a single point in three bouts. He defeated Joseph SILVA (PUR) in the final bout.

Silva was put on the activity clock in the first period and he failed to score which gave Forrest a 1-0 lead at the break. The second period saw more action as Forrest switched gears. He scored a takedown to lead 3-0 before blasting a double-leg attack for four points. He finished the bout with a takedown for two points and exposure which gave him two more points.

Ladarion LOCKETT (USA)Ladarion LOCKETT (USA) won the 74kg final 11-0 against Anthony MONTERO (VEN). (Photo: United World Wrestling / Osvaldo Aguilar)

Another youngster, world U20 silver medalist Ladarion LOCKETT (USA) won gold for the U.S. Lockett was also making his senior debut and defeated Anthony MONTERO (VEN), 11-0, in the final.

Lockett built a 5-0 lead with a big four-pointer in the first period and then exhibited how quick he is on the mat. Montero hit a snapdown to which Lockett lost momentum but pounced on Montero's left ankle in a blink. He scored a takedown and turn via lace to lead 9-0.

Montero tried a couple more attacks but Lockett saw them off before finishing the bout with a takedown and an 11-0 win.

Zahid VALENCIA (USA)Zahid VALENCIA (USA) won his second Pan-Am title. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Osvaldo Aguilar)

Zahid VALENCIA (USA), wrestling at the Pan-Am Championships after three years, reclaimed the 86kg title that he previously won in 2022. Just like his younger compatriots, Valencia had no trouble seeing off the 86kg field without giving up any points.

He defeated Jorge LLANO (ARG) 11-0 in the final in two minutes and 44 seconds. Valencia scored his two points via stepouts and Llano was hit with a point penalty for fleeing to make it 3-0 for Valencia. A takedown later, it became 5-0.

Llano was again hit with fleeing as Valencia scored a stepout and the score became 7-0. Valencia's takedown and gut-wrench finished the bout 11-0.

RESULTS

Women's Wrestling

53kg
GOLD: Lucia YEPEZ (ECU) df. Mariana ROJAS DIAZ (VEN), 7-0

BRONZE: Adrianny CASTILLO (ARG) df. Josefina RAMIREZ (MEX), via fall
BRONZE: Jaslynn GALLEGOS (USA) df. Serena DI BENEDETTO (CAN), 16-4

59kg
GOLD: Laurence BEAUREGARD (CAN)
SILVER: Abigail NETTE (USA)
BRONZE: Alma VALENCIA (MEX)

65kg
GOLD: Macey KILTY (USA)
SILVER: Miki ROWBOTTOM (CAN)
BRONZE: Alexis GOMEZ (MEX)

76kg
GOLD: Kylie WELKER (USA) df. Thamires MARTINS (BRA), 8-1

BRONZE: Genesis REASCO (ECU) df. Linda MACHUCA (ARG), 6-0
BRONZE: Milaimy MARIN POTRILLE (CUB) df. Neirili BANGUERO (VEN), 10-0

Freestyle

61kg
GOLD: Jaxen FORREST (USA) df. Joseph SILVA (PUR), 11-0

BRONZE: Joshua KRAMER (ECU) df. Esteban PEREZ (GUA), 10-0
BONZE: Garette SAUNDERS (CAN) df. Peter HAMMER (CRC), 14-8

74kg
GOLD: Ladarion LOCKETT (USA) df. Anthony MONTERO (VEN), 11-0

BRONZE: Adam THOMSON (CAN) df. Geannis GARZON (CUB), via disqualification
BRONZE: Cristian SANTIAGO (MEX) df. Luis BARRIOS (HON), 14-3

86kg
GOLD: Zahid VALENCIA (USA) df. Jorge LLANO (ARG), 11-0

BRONZE: Kevin DE LEON (MEX) df. Cesar UBICO (GUA), 9-4
BRONZE: Steven RODRIGUEZ (VEN) df. Taran GORING (CAN), 11-0