Saturday 4th November 2023.- Cuba continues to collect gold medals in Santiago 2023 thanks to wrestling, a discipline in which they added four more medals on this Saturday's session in the Greco-Roman category at the Olympic Training Center.

The Caribbean nation proved to be the best in all the finals of the 67, 87, 97, and 130-kilogram categories, once again demonstrating their remarkable quality at the continental level.

The first medal for Cuba came in the 67kg category, with Luis Orta winning the gold by defeating Colombian Julián Hort 10-1 in the final. After the victory, Orta commented on his performance: "This medal was needed for Cuba. It was expected, and we delivered, which was the most important thing. The competition had a very high level because every fight counts, and you have to give it your best."

Next, in the 87kg category, Daniel Gregorich won the gold by beating Venezuelan Luis Avendaño 5-1. Avendaño, after the victory, stated, "Cuban wrestlers are gradually proving that this is a sport where you need to endure, put in effort, and hard work. We do everything we can, and the results speak for themselves. We have had a supremacy for a long time that we have managed to maintain."

In the 97kg category, there was another duel between a Cuban and a Venezuelan, with Gabriel Rosillo defending his title from Lima 2019 by defeating Luillys Pérez 9-1. Rosillo mentioned, "Thank God, I managed to win this second Pan American gold, something I also achieved in Lima 2019. I dedicate it to my family and my coaches."

Finally, Óscar Pino won the 130kg category, defeating American Cohlton Schultz 6-1. Excited about his victory, Pino expressed with the gold around his neck: "We all gave our best effort, with a whole year to prepare. This is the result of our hard work and our coaches. I always had in mind the goal of winning this gold medal because I came in perfect condition for these Pan American Games."

Cuba's dominance in wrestling at Santiago 2023 has been remarkable, as they have collected eight golds, five silvers, and three bronzes, totaling 16 medals in the discipline's top spot.

Written by Patricio Echagüe y Rodrigo Vargas; translated by Paulette Bertín / Photosport
Photo by Juan Carlos Romo / Santiago 2023 / Photosport