#WrestleAcapulco

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

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)

 

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

 

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)

 

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

#WrestleBudapest

Sharipov Sets His Sights on Dominating 125kg One Gold at a Time

By Vinay Siwach

BUDAPEST, Hungary (July 14) -- Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) and Shamil SHARIPOV (BRN) have just spent a couple of hours training on the eve the eve of Budapest Ranking Series. By the end of it, Sharipov has dictated the sparring. The 125kg wrestler clearly has edge over Tazhudinov due to his weight but he clearly looks more physically fit than his compatriot.

The two will step on the mat on Thursday at the Ranking Series tournament where medals will bring them vital ranking points for the World Championships. A year ago, Tazhudinov would have walked into any tournament as the favorite to win. In Budapest, that status has changed.

Sharipov, on the other hand, has quickly become the second best 125kg wrestler in the world and is the firm favorite to win gold on Thursday.

"I won the first ranking series and I want to repeat that result now in Budapest," Sharipov said.

After the official draw, Sharipov will open his campaign against Ulaanbaatar Open winner DINESH (IND) and a likely quarterfinal against Kazakhstan's young star Yedige KASSIMBEK (KAZ). European champion Giorgi MESHDESHVILI (AZE) will likely be the semifinal opponent.

Sharipov knows that a good run in Budapest will make him one of the favorites for the World Championships and more opponents will be keeping an eye on him. But the Asian silver medalist is waiting to get to his hands on Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI).

"As you said, I am now one of the leaders of this weight class so people are learning about me but I am ready," he said. "One of my tough opponents is Zare and when the World Championships comes closer, I will plan and find a way to wrestle him."

For Tazhudinov, it will be an opportunity to get a win back over Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ), who defeated the Bahrain wrestler at the Islamic Solidarity Games. Maintaining that he has fully recovered from his injuries, Tazhudinov is locked in for the tournament and later for the World Championships where he will look to win the title he lost last year.

"My goal is always the same. I come to win and this ranking series is not an exception. We have been through a good camp and the mat will show," Tazhudinov said. "I need to get 100 percent for the World Championships."