#WrestleAcapulco

WATCH: 10 women's wrestling Pan-Am Championships finals

Wednesday, May 11, 2022 - 05:54 By Vinay Siwach

ACAPULCO, Mexico (May 11) -- The USA women's team were on a mission to defend their team title in Acapulco, Mexico despite missing two World and one Olympic champion from the line-up.

Led by Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA), the country managed to pull off a series of gold medals to claim the team title ahead of Canada with 190 points. Canada fell short by 25 points to finish second and host Mexico finished third with 120 points.

Here are all the 10 women's wrestling finals from the Pan-Am Championships.

50kg: GOLD - Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA) vs Madison PARKS (CAN)

53kg: GOLD - Luisa VALVERDE (ECU) vs Dominique PARRISH (USA)

55kg: GOLD - Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) vs Karla GODINEZ (CAN)

57kg: GOLD - Yaynelis SANZ (CUB) vs. Alma VALENCIA (MEX)

59kg: Round 3 - Ameyalli JESSEL ROJAS (MEX) vs. Laurence BEAUREGARD (CAN)

62kg: GOLD - Kayla MIRACLE (USA) vs. Ana GODINEZ (CAN)

After running through the field, Miracle and Godinez were expected to meet in the final at 62kg but the USA world silver medalist had to pull out of the gold medal bout due to an injury. That gave Godinez, the U23 world champion, her first Pan-Am title.

65kg: Round 3 - Forrest MOLINARI (USA) vs. Miki ROWBOTTOM (CAN)

68kg: GOLD - Hangelen LLANES (CUB) vs. Soleymi CARABALLO (VEN)

72kg: Round 1 - Brenda DOS SANTOS (BRA) vs Skylar GROTE (USA)

76kg: GOLD - Dymond GUILFORD (USA) vs. Genesis REASCO VALDEZ (ECU)

#BeachWrestling

Sakurai swaps mat for sand, wins Beach Wrestling gold

Wednesday, May 14, 2025 - 09:01 By Vinay Siwach

TOKYO (May 13) -- Paris Olympic champion Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN) made a return to competition for the first time since August last year. However, it was not on the mat.

Sakurai, who won gold medal at 57kg in Paris, returned to compete in beach wrestling. She wrestled at the Japan Beach Wrestling National Team Qualifying Tournament held in Tachikawa, Tokyo on Sunday and won gold at 60kg

"It may sound strange for me to say it, but I felt that I was suited to it," Sakurai was quoted by Japan Olympic Committee.

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Sakurai, who is not entered for the June 19-22 Meiji Cup, Japan's qualifying tournament for the World Championships in September, is now qualified to compete for Japan in Beach Wrestling this year.

"Since I am qualified for the international tournament, I will try to participate," she said. "I want to be number one. I'll practice on the sandy beaches of Kochi [Prefecture]."

The three-time world champion, however, did not rule out the possibility of returning to the mat soon.

"I am still practicing on the mat and when I feel like I am ready, I will be back on the mat," she said.