USA brings five past freestyle World medalists to Pan American Championships

Wednesday, May 2, 2018 - 21:11 By Taylor Miller

LIMA, Peru – The men’s freestyle Pan American bracket will be full of talent, including eight Senior World medalists—five of which are from the United States. The 2018 Pan American Championships will take place this week, May 3-6, in Lima, Peru, starting with Greco-Roman competition May 3-4, followed by women’s freestyle May 4-5 and men’s freestyle May 5-6.

USA athletes highlighting the men’s freestyle field are 2016 World champion Logan STIEBER at 65 kg, two-time World medalist James GREEN at 70 kg, Olympic and World bronze medal winner J’den COX at 92 kg, 2017 World silver medalist Thomas GILMAN at 57 kg and 2017 World bronze medalist Nick GWIAZDOWSKI at 125 kg.

Of these five, only one has one a Pan American championship, which was Green, who won at 70 kg in 2017.

The U.S. is also bringing along two-time Junior World champion Mark HALL at 79 kg.

In search of their first Pan Am titles, Stieber and Gilman will have to go through past World medalists. Awaiting Stieber at 65 kg is 2017 World bronze winner Alejandro Enrique VALDES TOBIER (CUB), while Gilman will have reigning U23 World champion Reineri ANDREU ORTGEA (CUB) in his bracket at 57 kg.

Valdes Tobier has collected three Pan Am gold medals (2010, 2013 and 2014).

Another Cuban World medalist in the mix is three-time World medalist and 2016 Olympic top-five placer Reneris SALAS PEREZ (CUB). Salas Perez, who owns World silvers from 2013 and 2014 and a bronze from 2010, has won four Pan American Championship titles and seeks his first since 2014. He won the Pan Am Games in 2015.

At 86 kg, Yurieski TORREBLANCA QUERALTA (CUB) looks to defend his 2017 title. He also won gold in 2015.

Two other past Pan American champions represent Cuba, counting Yurieski TORREBLANCA QUERALTA, who won in 2015 and 2017 at 86 kg, and Livan LOPEZ AZCUY, who was victorious in 2016 at 86 kg. Torreblanca is expected to compete at 86 kg and Lopez Azcuy will wrestle at 74 kg.

2011 World silver medalist Franklin GOMEZ MATOS (PUR), who will compete at 74 kg, aims for his second Pan American title. His last came in 2011. That same year, he claimed gold at the Pan Am Games.

Other notable freestylers include 2017 Commonwealth Games bronze winner Jordan Steen at 97 kg and two-time Commonwealth Games medalist Korey Jarvis at 125 kg.

WOMEN’S FREESTYLE, May 4-5

In women’s freestyle, the 62 kg bracket is the weight to watch as it features three World medalists across all age-groups.

Leading the way is Jackeline RENTERIA CASTILLO (COL), who is a two-time Olympic bronze medalist, winning in 2008 and 2012. Most recently, she captured bronze at the 2017 World Championships in Paris, France. Renteria Castillo enters her eighth Senior Pan Ams in search of her fifth championship.

Looking to challenge the Colombian are Kayla MIRACLE (USA) and Linda MORAIS (CAN). Miracle is a two-time Junior World bronze medalist, while Morais won the 2016 University World gold, followed bronze at the 2016 Senior World Championships shortly after.

Also in the mix at 62 kg is Yaquelin ESTORNELL ELIZASTIGUE (CUB), a five-time Pan Am medalist and 2013 Pan Am champion.

Other weights that will see multiple World medalists fight for the crown are 68 kg and 76 kg.

Starring in the 68 kg weight class is Yudari SANCHEZ RODRIGUEZ (CUB), who grabbed two World medals in 2017, counting a Junior World silver and a U23 World bronze. Also at 68 kg is Dailane GOMES DOS REIS (BRA), a two-time World Military bronze winner.

Three-time World champion Adeline Gray is the headliner at 76 kg. Gray won World titles in 2013, 2014 and 2015. An injury kept her out of the 2017 Worlds. Gray is making her first trip to the Pan American Championships.

2017 U23 World silver medalist Gracelynn DOOGAN (CAN) will also seek her first Pan Am gold this week.

The only reigning Pan Am champion expected to enter the competition is Becka LEATHERS (USA). The 2017 World bronze medalist seeks to hold onto her 2017 Pan Am crown at 55 kg.

GRECO-ROMAN, May 3-4

Yasmani ACOSTA FERNANDEZ (CHI) and Oscar PINO HINDS (CUB) are both 2017 World bronze medalists, who will fight for a Pan American title at 130 kg. Pino Hinds won last year’s 130 kg title, defeating Acosta Fernandez in the finals.

Not to be counted out at heavyweight is Robert SMITH (USA), who took bronze at last year’s event and has two top-five finishes at Senior Worlds.

Cuba also brings two other World medalists to the Greco field, including Ismael BORRERO MOLINA at 67 kg and Yasmany Daniel LUGO CABRERA at 97 kg.

A 2016 Olympic champion and 2015 World champion, Borrero Molina also owns three Pan Am gold medals. His last came in 2014.

Lugo Cabrera looks to defend his 2017 title and earn his seventh Pan American championship. The Cuban’s resume is even more impressive with a 2016 Olympic silver and a 2009 Junior World gold to his name.

Another past Junior World champion competing in Greco is Kamal BEY (USA), who won the Junior crown last summer in Tampere, Finland. Bey will wrestle at 77 kg this week.

John YEATS (CAN) was the 2017 Junior Pan Am champion and will bump up to the Senior this level, looking to contest at 77 kg. Also bumping up after a 2017 championship run at the Junior level is Joilson DE BRITO RAMOS JUNIOR (BRA), who is registered at 67 kg.

At 87 kg, reigning champion Benjamin PROVISOR (USA) will wrestle in hopes of defending his 2017 Pan Am title.

Schedule
Thursday, May 3
10:00 a.m. – Greco-Roman Qualification Rounds and Repechage (55, 60, 63, 67, 72, 97, 130 kg)
5:30 p.m. – Opening Ceremony
6:00 p.m. – Greco-Roman Medal Matches (55, 60, 63, 67, 72, 97, 130 kg)

Friday, May 4
10:00 a.m. – Greco-Roman Qualification Rounds and Repechage (77, 82, 87kg) and Women’s Freestyle Qualification Rounds and Repechage (55, 59, 65 kg)
6:00 p.m. – Greco-Roman Medal Matches (77, 82, 87kg) and Women’s Freestyle Medal Matches (55, 59, 65 kg)

Saturday, May 5
10:00 a.m. –Women’s Freestyle Qualification Rounds and Repechage (50, 53, 57, 62, 68, 76 kg) and Men’s Freestyle Qualification Rounds and Repechage (79, 92 kg)
6:00 p.m. – Women Freestyle Medal Matches (50, 53, 57, 62, 68, 76 kg) and Men’s Freestyle Medal Matches (79, 92 kg)

Sunday, May 6
10:00 a.m. –Men’s Freestyle Qualification Rounds and Repechage (57, 61, 65, 70, 74, 86, 97, 125 kg)
6:00 p.m. – Men’s Freestyle Medal Matches (57, 61, 65, 70, 74, 86, 97, 125 kg)

#WrestleUlaanbaatar

Oh Beats Kiyooka in Battle of World Champs in Ulaanbaatar

Friday, June 5, 2026 - 15:43 By Vinay Siwach

ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia (June 5) -- Soon after winning the 53kg gold medal the Meiji Cup two weeks ago, Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) said that she will be travelling to Ulaanbaatar for the third Ranking Series.

It's rare for a Japanese wrestler to compete in Ranking Series especially close to the Meiji Cup. Kiyooka explained her participation in the Ulaanbaatar Open as more of a necessity to gain more experience competing against international wrestlers as she continues to find a firm footing at 53kg.

After all, the 22-year-old had secured her spot on the Japan team for the World Championships and Asian Games by winning the gold medal at the Meiji Cup.

The experience came in the form of a showdown with reigning 55kg world champion Kyong Ryong OH (PRK), who rallied from a four-point deficit to defeat Kiyooka, 10-6, and win the 53kg gold medal on Friday at the third Ranking Series.

The final pitted two world champions against each other, with Kiyooka, a former 55kg world champion, also moving down to 53kg. Despite leading by four points midway through the second period, Kiyooka was unable to hold off Oh's comeback.

Oh's gold medal was the second of the night for the DPR Korea. India also won two gold medals while Poland took home the fifth gold medal.

Greco-Roman also concluded in Ulaabaatar with three weight classes with Iran, Kyrgyzstan and South Korea winning gold medal each.

Kyong Ryong OH (PRK) turns Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) using the leg lace in the 53kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

In the marquee match-up of the night between Kiyooka and Oh, the former struck first with a single-leg takedown that Oh failed to defend, opening a 2-0 lead. She maintained control for the remainder of the first period. Oh, who was warned for passivity in the first period, showed little urgency at the start of the second.

Kiyooka capitalized again with a single-leg attack and stepped over for two points, but surrendered a reversal in the same sequence. Oh immediately took advantage, scoring a gut wrench and a lace turn to move ahead 5-4 with 1:26 remaining.

Twenty seconds later, Oh added a stepout to extend her lead to 6-4. Kiyooka responded in the next exchange, regrouping after an initial attack was defended and finishing a takedown to regain the lead on criteria at 6-6 with 53 seconds left.

A heavy snap from Oh squared Kiyooka, and the DPR Korea wrestler quickly converted a takedown before adding a lace turn to surge ahead 10-6. Kiyooka had 18 seconds remaining to find four points but was unable to break through as Oh closed out the victory.

Asian silver medalist Son Hyang KIM (PRK) secured DPR Korea's second gold medal of the evening, needing just 1 minute and 35 seconds to defeat Anqi BAO (CHN), 10-0, in the 50kg final. Kim scored an early takedown and followed with four gut-wrench turns to complete the technical superiority victory.

MANISHA (IND) pins Il Sim SON (PRK) in the 57kg final at the Ulaanbaatar Open. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Despite claiming two gold medals, DPR Korea suffered defeats in two other finals, both against Indian wrestlers.

At 57kg, world silver medalist Il Sim SON (PRK) was stunned by former Asian champion MANISHA (IND) in the final as the Indian secured a fall to claim the gold medal.

As has often been the case for Manisha, she was called passive in the first period and Son led 1-0 at the break after Manisha failed to score any points in the 30-second activity clock.

Manisha began the second period with a stepout to lead 1-1 on criteria which forced Son to attack again. She attempted a throw, but Manisha rotated through the action and avoided conceding points.

Son, still holding onto Manisha during the scramble, lost her balance and rolled onto her back. Manisha was quick to return on top and pushed Son's shoulders on the mat to get the pin with 2:02 left in the final.

NEHA (IND) scores a takedown on Pyol HONG (PRK) during the 59kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

NEHA (IND) also defeated a DPR Korea wrestler in the 59kg final to capture the second gold medal for India in Ulaanbaatar. Taking on Pyol HONG (PRK) for the gold medal, Neha opened the scoring with a stepout and then added two takedowns to lead 5-0 at the break.

Hong opened the second period with a stepout to get on board before adding a takedown to cut Neha's lead to 5-3. However, Neha controlled the remaining bout to clinch the gold medal.

The two-point victory of Neha contrasted her earlier meeting with Hong in the Nordic bracket, when Neha dominated and won 10-2 in Round 2.

The fifth gold medal on offer on Friday in Women's Wrestling went to European silver medalist Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL) who ran through Bolortungalag ZORIGT (MGL) for a 12-2 technical superiority win.

Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI), blue, loads for a throw even as Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) commits a leg foul during the 63kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Keshtkar Beats Sharshenbekov

In Greco-Roman action, Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI) spoiled the return of former world champion and Paris 2024 bronze medalist Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) at 63kg.

Sharshenbekov was return to international wrestling after a gap of almost two years. He began with two strong victories, first over Erfan JARKANI (IRI) and then over Sunny KUMAR (IND).

In Round 3 of his Nordic bracket, Sharshenbekov faced Keshtkar having already made his place in the semifinals. Keshtkar was put in par terre first but Sharshenbekov failed to score any points from the position and led 1-0 at the break.

Keshtkar was given the par terre in the second period and he scored two points for exposure. As Keshtkar tried to pin Sharshenbekov, the latter committed defensive foul and was docked two points.

As the bout restarted in par terre, Keshtkar lifted Sharshenbekov and threw him for two points. Sharshenbekov again committed a foul, this time using his legs, and was docked another two points, essentially finishing the bout 9-1.

Kyrgyzstan challenged for no foul but the review confirmed leg foul from Sharshenbekov whose lost challenge added one more point to Keshtkar's score.

Both wrestlers advanced from Group A and won their respective semifinals to set up a clash in the final. However, Keshtkar defaulted the final, giving Sharshenbekov the gold medal.

Iran won gold as 60kg as well as Ali AHMADI VAFA (IRI) humbled Yu Chol RO (PRK), 10-0, in the final. Ro, who was moving up from 55kg to 60kg, had no chance against Ahmadi Vafa who threw Ro for two four-point throws from par terre to accumulate nine points. A lost challenge from Ro added the last point.

The 130kg gold medal was won by Minseok KIM (KOR) who defeated Nambardagva BATBAYAR (MGL), 8-0, in the final. Kim's gold medal was the first for Korea internationally in Greco-Roman since 2021 when Hansu RYU (KOR) won the Asian Championships gold medal at 72kg in Almaty.

RESULTS

Greco-Roman

60kg
GOLD: Ali AHMADI VAFA (IRI) df. Yu Chol RO (PRK), 10-0

BRONZE: Akyl SULAIMANOV (KGZ) df. Seunghak KIM (KOR), 9-0
BRONZE: SAHIL (IND) df. SUMIT (IND), via inj. def.

63kg
GOLD: Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) df. Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI), via inj. def.

BRONZE: Yerkebulan ARDAKOV (KAZ) df. Hyunwoong CHOI (KOR), 7-4

130kg
GOLD: Minseok KIM (KOR) df. Nambardagva BATBAYAR (MGL), 8-0

BRONZE: Olzhas SYRLYBAY (KAZ) df. Joginder RATHEE (IND), 10-0

Women's Wrestling

50kg
GOLD: Son hyang KIM (PRK) df. Anqi BAO (CHN), 10-0

BRONZE: Miyu NAKAMURA (JPN) df. Evin DEMIRHAN (TUR), 4-0
BRONZE: NEELAM (IND) df. Maral TANGIRBERGENOVA (KAZ), 10-0

53kg
GOLD: Kyong Ryong OH (PRK) df. Moe KIYOOKA (JPN), 10-6

BRONZE: Christianah OGUNSANYA (NGR) df. Otgontuya BAYANMUNKH (MGL) , 6-6
BRONZE: Andreea ANA (ROU) df. Namuuntsetseg TSOGT OCHIR (MGL), via fall (11-0)

57kg
GOLD: MANISHA (IND) df. Il Sim SON (PRK), via fall (3-1)

BRONZE: Nilufar RAIMOVA (KAZ) df. Danielle LIM (SGP), 10-0
BRONZE: Elvira SULEYMAN (TUR) df. Khulan BATKHUYAG (MGL), via forfeit

59kg
GOLD: NEHA (IND) df. Pyol HONG (PRK), 5-3

BRONZE: Bolortuya KHURELKHUU (MGL) df. Bediha GUN (TUR), via fall (4-1)

72kg
GOLD: Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL) df. Bolortungalag ZORIGT (MGL), 12-2

BRONZE: Odgerel ERDENE OCHIR (MGL) df. Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ), via inj. def.

USA brings five past freestyle World medalists to Pan American Championships

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Oh Beats Kiyooka in Battle of World Champs in Ulaanbaatar