#WrestleAcapulco

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

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

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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)

Olympic silver medalist Oborududu announces retirement

Saturday, June 7, 2025 - 07:10 By Vinay Siwach

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NIGERIA (June 6) -- Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR) announced her retirement last week, ending a memorable career in wrestling.

The 36-year-old called it quits at the National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, a tournament she made her first appearance as a young wrestler in 2006.

In a career spanning 19 years, Oborududu won the African Championships 13 times, became the first African wrestler to win Olympic silver medal in Women's Wrestling and finished fifth at the Paris Olympics.

Oborududu participated won her first gold at the African Championships in 2010 and maintained her winning streak at the tournament for 15 years. 

“I want to thank everyone who has been part of my journey: the Nigeria Wrestling Federation led by Daniel IGALI, the board members, my teammates, and my family,” Oborududu was quoted as saying by the Nigeria media. "I created a lot of memories, but my most memorable one was the Tokyo Olympics, which ignited hope across Africa. It was the first-ever medal by an African woman in wrestling at the Olympics, and I hope more will come for future wrestlers."

At the sports festival, Oborududu helped Team Bayelsa clinch gold medal in her final bout at the ongoing 22nd National Sports Festival. He later received a farewell from teammates, officials and fans.