#WrestleGuatemala

#WrestleGuatemala Pan-Am C'ship Entries

By Eric Olanowski

GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala (May 16) --- The "Teodoro Palacios Flores" National Gymnasium will host over 180 athletes from 16 different nations for the Pan-American Championships (May 27-30).

*These entries were update on Thursday morning (05/20) and are subject to change.

Freestyle 
57kg
Bryan Lucas DE OLIVEIRA PEREIRA (BRA)
Diego Armando ZULUAGA CUEVAS (COL)
Alexander FERNANDEZ PENA (DOM)
Guesseppe Ricardo REA VILLARROEL (ECU) 
Edwin Alexi SEGURA GUERRA (GUA)
Samuel Edhinson ALVA PEDRAGAS (PER)
Roberto ALEJANDRO BLANCO (MEX)
Vitali ARUJAU (USA)

61kg
Juan Rubelin RAMIREZ BELTRE (DOM)
Victor Alfonso LOPEZ MIRANDA (ESA)
Esteban David PEREZ CASTELLANOS (GUA)
Jose David BENITES VASQUEZ (PER)
Shelton Anthony MACK (USA)

65kg
Agustin Alejandro DESTRIBATS (ARG)
Marcos Wesley DE BRITO SIQUEIRA  (BRA)
Dillon Emmanuel WILLIAMS (CAN)
Jose Esteban GONZALEZ RAMIREZ  (COL)
Albaro RUDECINDO CAMACHO (DOM)
Mauricio Javier SANCHEZ SALTOS (ECU)
Juan Antonio RODRIGUEZ JOVEL  (ESA)
Esteban David PEREZ CASTELLANOS  (GUA)
David Renee PINILLA RODRIGUEZ  (PAN)
Sebastian C RIVERA (PUR)
Joseph Christopher MC KENNA (USA)

70kg
Joao Victor DOS SANTOS SILVA (BRA)
Vincent DE MARINIS (CAN)
Wber Euclides CUERO MUNOZ  (COL)
Eduardo Alexander AYALA PENA  (ESA)
Enrique Josue PEREZ CASTELLANOS  (GUA)
Francisco Ivan GONZALEZ TORRES  (MEX)
Sixto Miguel AUCCAPINA PEDRAGAS (PER)
Jonathan PARRILLA RAMOS (PUR)
Alec William PANTALEO (USA)

74kg
Renato Patricio DA SILVA (BRA)
Jasmit Singh PHULKA  (CAN)
Hossman Eduardo CARVAJAL ROJAS  (COL)
Malhcon Alizon PINEDA CUNIL (GUA)
Victor Eduardo HERNANDEZ LUNA (MEX)
Antony Gaston IPARRAGUIRRE PEREYRA (PER)
Kyle Douglas DAKE (USA)


79kg
Jorge Ivan LLANO (ARG)
Samuel Jacob BARMISH (CAN)
Nestor Joaquin TAFUR BARRIOS  (COL)
David Elias CHOC HUOC  (GUA)
Javier SALAZAR BECERRA (MEX)
David Vincent MC FADDEN (USA)

86kg
Emanuel Alexis CHAMORRO   (ARG)
Thales REIS ALVES (BRA)
Clayton Steven PYE (CAN)
Juan Sebastian RIVERA GARCIA (COL)
Jorge Klever ANDY TIWI (ECU)
Juan Sebastian RIVERA GARCIA (COL)
Sergio Leonel MENDOZA LOPEZ  (GUA)
David Morris TAYLOR III (USA)

92kg
Jeremy Adam POIRIER (CAN)
Gino Tanislado AVILA DILBERT (HON)
Nathan Dyamin JACKSON (USA)

97kg
Ricardo Adrian BAEZ (ARG)
Marcos CARROZZINO  (BRA)
Richard Phillip Junior DESCHATELETS (CAN)
Kenett Andrey MARTINEZ VILORIA (COL)
Maxwell Lemar LACEY GARITA (CRC)
Luis Miguel PEREZ SOSA (DOM)
Kyle Frederick SNYDER (USA)

125kg
Catriel Pehuen MURIEL (ARG)
Juan Felippe IZIDORO BITTENCOURT (BRA)
Aly Medhat Abde BARGHOUT (CAN)
Santiago RESTREPO HERNANDEZ  (COL)
Elison ADAMES GARCIA (DOM)
Christian Rafael CHAJON GARCIA  (GUA)
Eduardo Maximiliano GARCIA BETANZOS (MEX)
Gable Dan STEVESON (USA)



Colombia's Dicther Hans TORO CASTANEDA  (COL) will look to defend his Pan-American title from a year ago. He'll wrestle at 60kg. (Photo: Tony Rotundo)

Greco-Roman
60kg
Marat GARIPOV (BRA)
Adam Takahashi MACFADYEN (CAN)
Dicther Hans TORO CASTANEDA  (COL)
Maikol JOSEFA (DOM)
Jeremy Renzo PERALTA GONZALEZ (ECU)
Victor Alfonso LOPEZ MIRANDA  (ESA)
Joshua Xavier MEDINA (PUR)
Ildar HAFIZOV (USA)

63kg
Ivan Atila Jose REPETTO (ARG)
Andres Roberto MONTANO ARROYOECU
Juan Antonio RODRIGUEZ JOVEL  (ESA)
Emerson Isaias FELIPE ORDONEZ (GUA)
Joao Marco BENAVIDES ROCHABRUN (PER)
Randon Drew MIRANDA (USA)

67kg
Calebe CORREA FERREIRA (BRA)
Daniel Troy COLES  (CAN)
Victor Manuel MENA VERGEL (COL)
Enyer Manuel FELICIANO (DOM)
Jose Alejandro VARELA GARCIA (GUA)
Diego Alberto MARTINEZ DE LEIJA (MEX)
Nilton Gonzalo Marcos SOTO GARCIA (PER)
Xavier Tramain JOHNSON (USA)

72kg
Carlos Valerio FUENTES PERALTA (GUA)
Juan Roberto RUIZ LUGO (MEX)
Gerardo Francisco OLIVA MONTES (PER)
Jamel Rasheed JOHNSON (USA)

77kg
Joilson DE BRITO RAMOS JUNIOR (BRA)
Brandon CALLE PEREZ (COL)
Enrique Javier CUERO ORTIZ (ECU)
Reinier JIMENEZ TERRY (GUA)
Ryan CUBAS CASTILLO (PER)
Marciano George ALI  (PUR)
Jesse Alexander PORTER (USA)

82kg
David Elias CHOC HUOC (GUA)
Alexis Armando MARTINEZ SANCHEZ (MEX)
Alvis Albino ALMENDRA JIMENEZ (PAN)
Benjamin Errol PROVISOR (USA)

87kg
Ronisson BRANDAO SANTIAGO (BRA)
Jose Esteban MOSQUERA MURILLO (COL)
Ariel Andres ALFONSO RODRIGUEZ (HON)
Juan Ignacio PALMA FRANCIS (ECU)
Daniel VICENTE GOMEZ (MEX)
John Walter STEFANOWICZ JR (USA)

97kg
Igor Fernando ALVES DE QUEIROZ (BRA)
Santiago ECHEVERRI OSORIO (COL)
Rafael Daniel ESCAMILLA SANCHEZ (ESA)
Kevin MEJIA CASTILLO (HON)
Ricardo Naviel MANCILLA GALINDO (MEX)
Braxton James AMOS (USA)
Gilberto Segundo AYALA RODRIGUEZ (VEN)

130kg
Catriel Pehuen MURIEL (ARG)
Isaque Victor MEDEIROS CONSERVA  (BRA)
Steven RIANO CATANO (COL)
Leo Dalis SANTANA HEREDIA (DOM)
Luis Alberto ROMAN BARRIOS (MEX)
Donald Robert LONGENDYKE (USA)

Linda MORAIS (CAN), a '19 world champion, is one of headlining women's wrestling entries. She'll compete at 59kg. (Photo: Gabor Martin)

Women’s Wrestling

50kg
Patricia Alejandra BERMUDEZ (ARG)
Kamila BARBOSA VITO DA SILVA (BRA)
Madison Bianca PARKS (CAN)
Yusmy Juliet CHAPARRO URREGO (COL)
Jacqueline Del Rocio MOLLOCANA ELENO (ECU)
Daniela Aidee HERNANDEZ CEPEDA  (MEX)
Thalia Jihann MALLQUI PECHE (PER)
Sarah Ann HILDEBRANDT (USA)

53kg
Sabrina GAMA TAPAJOS (BRA)
Jayd DAVIS  (CAN)
Yineth Catalina ROMERO GUATAQUIRA (COL)
Luisa Elizabeth VALVERDE MELENDRES (ECU)
Laura Gabriela PEREDO TORRES (MEX)
Ronna Marie HEATON (USA)

55kg
Amanda LIMA LEAL (BRA)
Virginie KAZE GASCON (CAN)
Anny Guillermina RAMIREZ PEREZ (DOM)
Neidy Lizeth VASQUEZ GOMEZ (GUA)
Jacarra Gwenisha WINCHESTER (USA)

57kg
Giullia RODRIGUES PENALBER DE OLIVEIRA (BRA)
Alexandria Rebekkah TOWN  (CAN)
Leydi Lucia ALMEYDA FONCE (COL)
Carolina Maria OCHOA MELENDEZ (ESA)
Cameron Jaylynn GUERIN (USA)

59kg
Karoline SILVA DE SANTANA (BRA)
Linda MORAIS (CAN)
Maya Gabriella NELSON (USA)

62kg
Lais NUNES DE OLIVEIRA (BRA)
Jessica Lise BROUILLETTE (CAN)
Jessica Vanessa TORRES RODRIGUEZ (COL)
Leonela Aleyda AYOVI PARRAGA (ECU)
Alejandra ROMERO BONILLA (MEX)
Kayla Colleen Kiyoko MIRACLE (USA)

65kg
Meiriele CHARAMBA SANTOS HORA  (BRA)
Amanda SAVARD (CAN)
Silvia Esperanza HERNANDEZ GONZALES (GUA)
Ashley Chantelle ZARATE CAMPBELL (PAN)
Diana Luisa Victoria CRUZ ARROYO (PER)
Mallory Maxine VELTE (USA)

68kg
Luz Clara VAZQUEZ (ARG)
Grabriela PEDRO DA ROCHA (BRA)
Alexia Rose SHERLAND (CAN)
Nicoll Dayanna PARRADO  OSORIO (COL)
Yessica Coraima OVIEDO PEREZ (DOM)
Tamyra Mariama STOCK MENSAH (USA)

72kg
Brenda AGUIAR DOS SANTOS (BRA)
Yanet Ursula SOVERO NINO (PER)
Alexandria Junis GLAUDE (USA)

76kg
Aline DA SILVA FERREIRA (BRA)
Luisa Fernanda MOSQUERA PARRA (COL)
Josselyn Tatiana PORTILLO MEJIA (ESA)
Adeline Maria GRAY (USA)

#WrestleTirana

World Championships: Kinjo wins fourth world gold as Japan wins three

By Ken Marantz

TIRANA, Albania (October 30) -- For two-time Olympic champion Risako KINJO (JPN), it wasn't just winning a fourth world title and first in five years that made her latest triumph so special. It was because of where she is at in her life at the moment.

"This is my fourth world title, but the first since I became a mother," Kinjo said after winning the women's 59kg gold at the Non-Olympic Weight Categories World Championships on Wednesday in Tirana. "So it makes me happier than at any other tournament."

Kinjo was one of three Japanese to take one of the four women's golds up for grabs, as Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) became the sixth wrestler in history to win world titles on all four age-group levels when she triumphed at 55kg, and Ami ISHII (JPN) claimed the 72kg title to add to the world U23 gold at 68kg she won a week ago in the same venue.

Jia LONG (CHN) captured the other title at stake with a victory by fall in the 65kg final to improve on her silver medal from 2022.

Kinjo, who got married and gave birth to her first child after winning the gold at the Tokyo Olympics under her maiden name of KAWAI, missed out on qualifying for the Paris Games, but decided against retiring and was content to seek further success in the non-Olympic weight.

It hasn't been an easy journey, as her time away from the mat left her quite rusty. Just to get to Tirana, she had to score a last-second victory in the domestic qualifier over teenager Sakura ONISHI (JPN).

Now 30 and having to juggle training with the responsibilities of motherhood, Kinjo tries to get the most out of her body in the most efficient way. There are no wasted motions, and that came out during her 4-2 victory in the final against Tserenchimed SUKHEE (MGL).

"I get help from my family and make the best use of my time," Kinjo said. "Every day, I put together a schedule that allows me to sufficiently train."

Kinjo fell behind when Sukhee scored a stepout off Kinjo's takedown attempt in the first period. An activity point for Kinjo put her ahead on criteria in the second period, and then she scored a stepout countering a rare attack by Sukhee.

Kinjo remained patient and forced Sukhee to take the initiative. And when she did, Kinjo was ready with a quick counter to spin behind for a takedown. Sukhee added a late stepout that was too little, too late. Her points were the only ones scored on Kinjo in three matches.

Asked to assess her performance, Kinjo replied, "I've done everything I could do and I'm at my strongest right now, so I'm satisfied."

Kinjo and Sukhee had met once before, with Kinjo winning 10-0 in their first-round match at the 2019 World Championships, where she won the last of three consecutive golds. She also has a world silver from 2015.

While Japan did not sweep the women's golds here nor at the Paris Olympics (where the country won four of six), Kinjo sees that as a good thing. "The fact that we don't monopolize all of the golds, I think that shows that the level of women's wrestling is getting better, and I think that's great."

Kiyooka came into Tirana with a slight chip on her shoulder. The 21-year-old had watched with mixed emotions as her older brother Kotaro KIYOOKA (JPN) and her Ikuei University teammates Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN) and Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) took home gold medals from the Paris Olympics.

"I really supported my brother and was happy when he won, but half of me was thinking that I too am an athlete who is aiming for the Olympics, so it was tough to take," Kiyooka said. "I want to quickly catch up to my brother, and he gives me good motivation. I practice with the feeling that the next time will be my time."

In the final, Kiyooka never took her foot off the gas as she stormed to a 10-0 technical fall over world U20 champion Jin ZHANG (CHN).

Kiyooka took an 8-0 lead in the first period, scoring three takedowns and adding a 2-point roll after the first. In the second period, she spun behind for a fourth and decisive takedown to end the match at 4:22 and complete a run of outscoring four opponents 32-0.

With her first senior championship, Kiyooka joined the elite group that has achieved the "Grand Slam" of world titles, having won the cadet (U17) gold in 2019 and adding both the U20 and U23
crowns in 2022. She was preceded by Haruna OKUNO (JPN), Masako FURUICHI (JPN), Yui SUSAKI (JPN), Amit ELOR (USA) and Nonoka OZAKI (JPN).

"From U17, I went up one level at a time and now I was able to win as a senior," Kiyooka said. "I feel that all I have left [to accomplish] is the Olympics."

Ishii, also a teammate of Kiyooka's at Ikuei University, earned her first senior world title when she rallied to an 8-6 victory over three-time world medalist Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) in the 72kg final.

Ishii, who finished second at 68kg in 2022, scored an opening takedown in the first period, but got sloppy on an attempt in the second period and Bakbergenova scored 4 with a counter lift.

Ishii spun behind for a takedown, but then allowed the Kazakh to score again off her attack with a counter, this time for 2 to fall behind 6-4.

Ishii, who missed out on the Paris Olympics when she lost in the last second of a playoff at 68kg to Ozaki, was not about to give up the fight and scored a takedown and a go-ahead 2-point exposure with 50 seconds left to seal the victory.

In the 65kg final, Long took down European silver medalist Kateryna ZELENYKH (ROU) with a double-leg lift to her back and secured a fall in 1:19.

It was the same outcome as in their only previous meeting, but could not have been more different. The two put on quite a show in the final of the 2022 Women's World Cup, when Zelenykh was competing for Ukraine. In that match, Zelenkyh led 8-2 at one point when Long launched an amazing comeback, tying the score at 12-all (but trailing on criteria) when she secured a fall with :02 left.

American pair add senior bronzes to U23 medals
In the bronze-medal matches, Macey KILTY (USA) and Kylie WELKER (USA) added senior medals to the ones they won at the last week's World U23.

Kilty, who won the world U23 silver at 65kg, picked up a bronze in that weight class when she stormed back from a five-point deficit to defeat Valeriia DONDUPOVA (AIN) 16-5.

Welker, the world U23 champion at 72kg, stayed at that weight and scored a takedown in each period to defeat 2023 world bronze medalist Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU) 5-2.

Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN), the world 65kg champion in 2022, picked up her fourth world medal by taking the other bronze in that weight class with an 8-2 victory over MANISHA (IND).

Morikawa took a 4-0 lead into the second period and, after Manisha cut the gap with two stepouts, came back with a stepout and takedown to clinch the victory as she rebounded from a loss in the semifinals to Long that avenged a defeat in the 2022 final.

The other bronze at 72kg went to Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE), who scored a victory by fall over Bolortungalag ZORIGT (MGL). Hanzlickova shot in on a takedown and, as Zorigt defended, the Czech locked her arms and twisted her over onto her back.

At 55kg, Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Iryna KURACHKINA (AIN) secured her third career bronze medal and first since 2019 by defeating Ramona GALAMBOS (HUN) 5-3. Kurachkina scored two takedowns in the first period and held on for the win.

The other 55kg bronze was won by 2023 European bronze medalist Tatiana DEBIEN (FRA), who picked up her first world medal at age 33 when she scored the second of two second-period takedowns with 25 seconds left for a 4-3 victory over Areana VILLAESCUSA (USA).

At 59kg, 2022 world U23 bronze medalist MANSI (IND) became the eighth Indian woman in history to win a senior world medal when she scored a takedown in each period in a 5-0 victory over Laurence BEAUREGARD (CAN).

Elena BRUGGER (GER) won a battle between two-time European bronze medalists when she got two lace-lock rolls off a takedown in the second period to down Svetlana LIPATOVA (AIN) 6-3 for the other bronze at 59kg.

Women's Results

55kg (18 entries)
GOLD: Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) df. Jin ZHANG (CHN) by TF, 10-0, 4:22

BRONZE: Tatiana DEBIEN (FRA) df. Areana VILLAESCUSA (USA), 4-3
BRONZE: Iryna KURACHKINA (AIN) df. Ramona GALAMBOS (HUN), 5-3

59kg (22 entries)
GOLD: Risako KINJO (JPN) df. Tserenchimed SUKHEE (MGL), 4-2

BRONZE: MANSI (IND) df. Laurence BEAUREGARD (CAN), 5-0
BRONZE: Elena BRUGGER (GER) df. Svetlana LIPATOVA (AIN), 6-3

65kg (19 entries)
GOLD: Jia LONG (CHN) df. Kateryna ZELENYKH (ROU) by Fall, 1:19 (2-1)

BRONZE: Macey KILTY (USA) df. Valeriia DONDUPOVA (AIN) by TF, 16-5, 3:53
BRONZE: Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) df. MANISHA (IND), 8-2

72kg (18 entries)
GOLD: Ami ISHII (JPN) df. Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ), 8-6

BRONZE: Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE) df. Bolortungalag ZORIGT (MGL) by Fall, 1:56 (2-0)
BRONZE: Kylie WELKER (USA) df. Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU), 5-2