Puerto Rico Successful at Pan-American Traditional Wrestling Championship

By Tim Foley

Corsier-sur-Vevey, Switzerland (October 14) -- The El Salvador Wrestling Federation recently hosted the second-ever Pan American Traditional Wrestling Championship. The tournament featured the belt wrestling style known as Alysh, where competitors wear trousers, jackets and a belt with throws counting anywhere from one to six points. The first wrestler to six points is declared the winner.

Alysh is making its third trip to the American continent in as many years, with this year’s competition featuring wrestlers from almost a dozen Central and South American countries.

The championship featured two weight categories: -90kg and +90kg. Champions in both weight categories are Puerto Rico representatives as Edgar Lopez (PUR) and Pedro SOTO (PUR) each brought home gold.

A new sport for many in attendance, training courses of referees and athletes were held and the International Belt Wrestling Alysh federation provided the national Pan American federations with the wrestling uniforms.

The 2015 Pan-American Traditional Wrestling Championship are tentatively scheduled to be competed in Argentina next year.

Place winners:

-90kg
GOLD: Edgar LOPEZ (PUR)
SILVER: Jose ERASO (ESA)
BRONZE: Herbert PENA (ESA)
   
+90kg
GOLD: Pedro SOTO (PUR)
SILVER: Julian SANCHEZ (ESA)
BRONZE: Pedro MARTINEZ (GUA)