#WrestleGuatemalaCity

Yepez Apunta a Volver a Lo Más Alto del Podio en #WrestleGuatemalaCity

By Taylor Miller

Hoy Lucia YEPEZ GUZMAN (ECU) busca su primera medalla del Campeonato Panamericano Juvenil. Ella ya es finalista en la categoría de 50 kg en su primera competencia juvenil.

Con solo 18 años, Yépez ya tiene mucho éxito internacional.

En adición a sus cuatro medallas panamericanas, Yépez resultó dos veces entre las primeras cinco mejores del campeonato mundial. En 2017, ganó una medalla de bronce en el Campeonato Mundial de Cadetes.

Ya ha ganado títulos panamericanos en las categorías U15 y cadetes. Los dos vinieron en 2016. En 2017, ganó una medalla de plata, y el año pasado reclamó la medalla bronce.

Hoy en la competencia, Yépez tiene tres victorias por puesta espalda, derrotando a los oponentes de Brasil, Canadá y Panamá.

Esta noche se enfrentara a la Campeona Olímpica Juvenil y Campeona Mundial en la categoría cadetes Emily SHILSON (USA) por el oro.

“Como yo he siempre dicho, nunca hay que tener miedo a ningún rival y para la final lo que voy a hacer es caerle encima y dar lo mejor de mí. Que gane la mejor,” dijo Yepez.

Mira el torneo en vivo en unitedworldwrestling.org. Las finales comienzan a las 6 p.m. CST.

Obituary

Habibi, Iran's first Olympic champion, dies aged 94

By United World Wrestling Press

TEHRAN, Iran (August 24) -- Emamali HABIBI (IRI), Iran's first-ever Olympic gold medalist and United World Wrestling Hall of Fame member, passed away Sunday aged 94.

Habibi was born Babol in 1931 and won the first Olympic gold medal for Iran in 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games. Facing Alimbeg BESTAEV in the final round to decide the gold medalist, Habibi secured a fall in the 67kg final and etched his name in history, became first Olympic champion for Iran.

It was a rare feat in those times as he had never wrestled at an international event before the Olympics. He would make his World Championships debut in 1959, winning gold medal at 73kg. He defended his title in 1961 and added a third gold medal in 1962 at 78kg.

Emamali HABIBI (IRI)Emamali HABIBI (IRI) with his World Championships gold medal.

He participated in the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome at 73kg and finished fourth. Habibi also has a gold medal at the 1958 Asian Games, held in Tokyo, Japan.

Habibi's legacy also includes his diverse wrestling techniques and speed on the mat which allowed him to win bouts with domination. He is widely considered one of the greatest freestyle wrestlers of his times. He was included in the UWW Hall of Fame in 2007 for his contribution to wrestling.

UWW offers its condolences to Iran Wrestling Federation and the Habibi family.