FORTALEZA, Brazil – After the first session of Greco-Roman action, the United States have six wrestler contending for gold at the 2018 Junior Pan American Championships in Fortaleza, Brazil.
Nine of the day’s 10 weight classes were contested as round robins. Of those nine, four weights had six athletes, allowing for pool play, including 60 kg, 63 kg, 77 kg and 130 kg.
In the only eight-man bracket of the tournament, 2017 Senior and Junior Pan Am silver medalist Joilson DE BRITO RAMOS JUNIOR (BRA) moved to the 67 kg finals with a dominant performance, winning two matches by tech fall.
The host country favorite will take on Julian HORTA (COL), who won bronze in both styles at last year’s tournament.
Moving to the finals at 60 kg is 2017 Junior Pan Am bronze medalist Andre CORTES (COL) and 2015 Cadet Pan Am champion and 2016 Cadet Pan Am silver medalist Samuel UGALDE (MEX).
At 63 kg, Dylan GREGERSON (USA) advanced to the finals, defeating three-time Pan Am medalist and 2017 Junior Pan Am runner up Jose DAVILA CABELLO (PER) in the first round.
Meeting up with Gregerson in the finals is Irving SALAZAR (MEX), who won Cadet Pan Am medals in 2015 and 2016.
The 77 kg finals features another athlete from Mexico, 2015 Cadet Pan Am runner-up Hector RODRIGUEZ. He will take on Jhonny ARIAS (COL).
The finalists at 130 kg are Anthony CASSIOPPI (USA) and Paul MORALES (MEX).
At last year’s Junior Pan Ams, Cassioppi won gold in both freestyle and Greco-Roman. Morales is a 2016 Cadet Pan Am silver medalist.
At 55 kg, 2017 Junior World silver medalist Cevion SEVERADO (USA) defeated 2016 Cadet World silver medalist Nestor DELGADO (MEX) in the first round with a second-period pin.
Should he win his match tonight, he will claim gold at the weight class.
Leonard MERKIN (USA) completed his tournament this morning, going 4-0 at 72 kg. Regardless of tonight’s results with the remaining matches left at the weight, Merkin will be awarded gold.
One of the round-five bouts at 82 kg is a true championship bout as Jhon CARMONA (COL) and returning Junior Pan American champion Carlos ESPINOZA (PER), who each went 3-0 in the first session.
At 87 kg, should Cameron CAFFEY (USA) win his bout against Nicolas BAEZ (ARG), he will claim the crown.
Austin HARRIS (USA) has already sealed the gold medal at 97 kg, winning both of his matches in a three-man bracket.
The medal matches are set for 5 p.m. ET live on Trackwrestling.
