Walz downs Salas to punctuate superb U.S. freestyle start at Cerro Pelado
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by Richard Immel, USA Wrestling
Photo: Ty Walz takes out three-time World medalist Reineris Salas of Cuba at the Cerro Pelado International (Richard Immel/USA Wrestling)
HAVANA, Cuba – A chart-topping day for the U.S. was highlighted by U23 World bronze medalist Ty Walz upending three-time World medalist Reineris Salas of Cuba on his way to the 97 kg/213 lbs. finals.
Walz took an early 4-0 on Salas courtesy of two powerful takedowns. The Cuban countered with a pair of step-out points before Walz put the match out of reach with a clinching takedown-to-lace combination, earning a 12-2 technical fall.
Interestingly enough, his victory over Salas was Walz’s most dominant of the day. He finished with a 2-1 record in the pool rounds with a 5-0 win over Micah Burak and 7-4 loss to Hayden Zillmer. After advancing out of the pool and into the semifinals, Walz saw his third American opponent of the trip, ousting Nathan Burak in a tight 5-4 bout.
Walz and Zillmer are scheduled for a rematch in the 97 kg finals tomorrow. Like Walz, Zillmer went 2-1 in his pool, losing his opener to Salas, 5-4, then topping Micah Burak and Walz. In the semifinals, Zillmer edged 2016 Junior World silver medalist Erik Theile of Germany, 6-5.
Zach Sanders (57), Cody Brewer (61), Robbie Mathers (65), Jason Chamberlain (70) and Ben Durbin (125) join Walz and Zillmer as American finalists in Havana.
Sanders, Brewer, Mathers and Chamberlain all face stout Cuban opponents in their respective final. Durbin will see Olympic champion and two-time World champion Taha Akgul of Turkey for 125 kg gold.
There are 10 other U.S. competitors who have qualified to wrestle for a bronze medal.
The men’s freestyle finals at the Cerro Pelado International will be held at 2 p.m. (ET) on Thursday.
Complete results from Havana can be found at unitedworldwrestling.org. A live stream is available to U.S. residents at trackwrestling.com.
2018 CERRO PELADO INTERNATIONAL
At Havana, Cuba, Feb. 21-22
Medal Matches
57 kg/125 lbs.
Gold – Zach Sanders (United States) vs. Alexei Alvares (Cuba)
Bronze – Aso Palani (Canada) vs. Eddie Klimara (United States)
Bronze – Pedro Mejias (Venezuela) vs. Joey Dance (United States)
61 kg/134 lbs.
Gold – Cody Brewer (United States) vs. Yowlys Bonne Rodriguez (Cuba)
Bronze – Tony Ramos (United States) vs. Dabian Quintana (Cuba)
Bronze – Johnni DiJulius (United States) vs. Shelton Mack (United States)
65 kg/143 lbs.
Gold – Alejandro Valdez Tobier (Cuba) vs. Robbie Mathers (United States)
Bronze – Brandon Diaz (Mexico) vs. Lazaro Carbonel (Cuba)
Bronze – Dillon Williams (Canada) vs. Anthony Abidin (United States)
70 kg/154 lbs.
Gold – Jason Chamberlain (United States) vs. Franklin Maren (Cuba)
Bronze – Mario Mason (United States) vs. Hunter Stieber (United States)
Bronze – Kevin Henkel (Germany) vs. Luis Rochez (Honduras)
74 kg/163 lbs.
Gold – Livan Lopez Azcuy (Cuba) vs. Kubilay Cakici (Germany)
Bronze – Jean Peralta (Chile) vs. Yoan Suleueta (Cuba)
Bronze – Nestor Tafur (Colombia) vs. Jevon Balfour (Canada)
86 kg/189 lbs.
Gold – Achmed Dudarov (Germany) vs. Yurieski Torreblanca (Cuba)
Bronze – Pedro Ceballos Fuentes (Venezuela) vs. Martin Obst (Germany)
97 kg/213 lbs.
Gold – Hayden Zillmer (United States) vs. Ty Walz (United States)
Bronze – Erik Thiele (Germany) vs. Nathan Burak (United States)
125 kg/275 lbs.
Gold – Taha Akgul (Turkey) vs. Ben Durbin (United States)
Bronze – Luis Vivewez (Venezuela) vs. Yudenny Alpajon (Cuba)
Bronze – Sean Molle (Canada) vs. Ceron Francisco (United States)
U.S. Men’s Freestyle Results
57 kg/125 lbs. – Joey Dance (Christiansburg, Va./New York AC)
WIN Viktor Lyzen (Germany), 10-0
WIN Reinier Andreu (Cuba), Fall
LOSS Alexei Alvares (Cuba), 4-3
Vs. Pedro Mejias (Venezuela)
57 kg/125 lbs. – Eddie Klimara (Champaign, Ill./Titan Mercury WC/Illinois RTC)
LOSS Zach Sanders (United States), 10-0
Vs. Aso Palani (Canada)
57 kg/125 lbs. – Zach Sanders (Minneapolis, Minn./Minnesota Storm)
WIN Aso Palani (Canada), Fall
WIN Eddie Klimara (United States)
Vs. Alexei Alvares (Cuba)
61 kg/134 lbs. – Cody Brewer (Evanston, Ill./Titan Mercury WC)
WIN Johnni DiJulius (United States), 11-2
WIN Shelton Mack (United States), 6-2
Vs. Yowlys Bonne Rodriguez (Cuba)
61 kg/134 lbs. – Daniel Deshazer (Wichita, Kan./Minnesota Storm)
WIN Ramzan Awtaew (Germany), 12-2
LOSS Dabian Quintana (Cuba), 5-1
61 kg/134 lbs. – Johnni DiJulius (Aurora, Ohio/Titan Mercury WC)
LOSS Cody Brewer (United States), 11-2
Vs. Shelton Mack (United States)
61 kg/134 lbs. – Earl Hall (Homestead, Fla./New York AC)
LOSS Shelton Mack (United States), 3-2
61 kg/134 lbs. – Darrius Little (Bethlehem, Pa./Lehigh Valley WC)
WIN Brian Alonzo (United States), 10-0
LOSS Yowlys Bonne Rodriguez (Cuba), 7-4
LOSS Tony Ramos (United States), 4-4
61 kg/134 lbs. – Tony Ramos (Chapel Hill, N.C./Sunkist Kids/Tar Heel WC)
LOSS Yowlys Bonne Rodriguez (Cuba), Fall
WIN Darius Little (United States), 4-4
61 kg/134 lbs. – Brian Alonzo
LOSS Darius Little (United States), 10-0
61 kg/134 lbs. – Shelton Mack (Charlottesville, Va./Titan Mercury WC)
WIN Earl Hall (United States), 3-2
LOSS Cody Brewer (United States), 6-2
Vs. Johnni DiJulius (United States)
65 kg/143 lbs. – Joey Lazor (Cedar Falls, Iowa/Panther WC)
LOSS Anthony Abidin (United States), Fall
65 kg/143 lbs. – Kanen Storr (Leslie, Mich./Titan Mercury WC)
LOSS Lazaro Carbonel (Cuba), 10-0
65 kg/143 lbs. – Anthony Abidin (Fresno, Calif./Valley RTC)
WIN Joey Lazor (United States), Fall
WIN Solezal Cristian (Cuba), 12-2
LOSS Alejandro Valdez Tobier (Cuba), 10-0
Vs. Dillon Williams (Canada)
65 kg/143 lbs. – Josh Kindig (Auburn, Pa./Sunkist Kids/Tar Heel WC)
WIN Anthoni Montero (Venezuela), 10-0
LOSS Lazaro Carbonel (Cuba), 13-2
65 kg/143 lbs. – Joey Ward (Cincinnati, Ohio/Sunkist Kids/Tar Heel WC)
WIN Nikolas Dorn (Germany), 6-4
LOSS Robbie Mathers (United States), 12-0
LOSS Brandon Diaz (Mexico), 10-0
65 kg/143 lbs. – Robbie Mathers (Tempe, Ariz./Sunkist Kids)
WIN Brandon Diaz (Mexico), 10-0
WIN Joey Ward (United States), 12-0
WIN Lazaro Carbonel (Cuba), Inj. Def.
Vs. Alejandro Valdez Tobier (Cuba)
70 kg/154 lbs. – Jason Chamberlain (Fresno, Calif./Titan Mercury WC)
WIN Mario Mason (United States), 9-1
WIN Hunter Stieber (United States), 10-2
Vs. Franklin Maren (Cuba)
70 kg/154 lbs. – Mario Mason (Bethlehem, Pa./Lehigh Valley WC)
LOSS Jason Chamberlain (United States), 9-1
Vs. Hunter Stieber (United States)
70 kg/154 lbs. – Hunter Stieber (Norman, Okla./Titan Mercury WC/Oklahoma RTC)
WIN Daniel Reed (United States), 8-4
LOSS Jason Chamberlain (United States), 10-2
Vs. Mario Mason (United States)
70 kg/154 lbs. – Daniel Reed
LOSS Hunter Stieber (United States), 8-4
92 kg/202 lbs. – Nick Heflin (Norman, Okla./Titan Mercury WC/ Oklahoma RTC)
WIN Don McNeil (United States), 17-6
LOSS Gabriel Stark (Germany), Inj. Def.
92 kg/202 lbs. – Don McNeil (Plainville, Mass./New England RTC)
LOSS Gabriel Stark (Germany), 2-2
LOSS Nick Heflin (United States), 17-6
LOSS Husseyin Gunduz (Turkey), 10-0
WIN Nikko Reyes (United States), 18-7
92 kg/202 lbs. – Nikko Reyes (Fresno, Calif./Valley RTC)
LOSS Husseyin Gunduz (Turkey), 3-1
LOSS Gabriel Stark (Germany), 10-0
LOSS Don McNeil (United States), 18-7
97 kg/213 lbs. – Micah Burak (Colorado Springs, Colo./Titan Mercury WC)
LOSS Ty Walz (United States), 5-0
LOSS Hayden Zillmer (United States), 10-0
LOSS Reineris Salas (Cuba), 12-2
97 kg/213 lbs. – Ty Walz (Cleveland, Ohio/Titan Mercury WC/Southeast RTC)
WIN Micah Burak (United States), 5-0
WIN Reineris Salas (United States), 12-2
LOSS Hayden Zillmer (United States), 5-2
WIN Nathan Burak (United States), 5-4
Vs. Hayden Zillmer (United States)
97 kg/213 lbs. – Nathan Burak (Iowa City, Iowa/Titan Mercury WC/Hawkeye WC)
WIN Jose Diaz Robertti (Venezuela), 10-1
WIN Erik Thiele (Germany), 7-4
LOSS Ty Walz (United States), 5-4
Vs. Erik Thiele (Germany)
97 kg/213 lbs. – Hayden Zillmer (Minneapolis, Minn./Minnesota Storm)
LOSS Reineris Salas (Cuba), 5-4
WIN Micah Burak (United States), 10-0
WIN Ty Walz (United States), 5-2
WIN Erik Thiele (Germany), 6-5
Vs. Ty Walz (United States)
125 kg/275 lbs. – Ben Durbin (Gilbert, Iowa/Cyclone WC)
WIN Luis Vivewez (Venezuela), Fall
WIN Yudenny Alpajon (Cuba)
Vs. Taha Akgul (Turkey)
125 kg/275 lbs. – Ceron Francisco (Fayetteville, N.C.)
WIN Marcel Bohme (Germany), Inj. Def.
LOSS Taha Akgul (Turkey), 11-0
Vs. Sean Molle (Canada)
HAVANA, Cuba – A chart-topping day for the U.S. was highlighted by U23 World bronze medalist Ty Walz upending three-time World medalist Reineris Salas of Cuba on his way to the 97 kg/213 lbs. finals.
Walz took an early 4-0 on Salas courtesy of two powerful takedowns. The Cuban countered with a pair of step-out points before Walz put the match out of reach with a clinching takedown-to-lace combination, earning a 12-2 technical fall.
Interestingly enough, his victory over Salas was Walz’s most dominant of the day. He finished with a 2-1 record in the pool rounds with a 5-0 win over Micah Burak and 7-4 loss to Hayden Zillmer. After advancing out of the pool and into the semifinals, Walz saw his third American opponent of the trip, ousting Nathan Burak in a tight 5-4 bout.
Walz and Zillmer are scheduled for a rematch in the 97 kg finals tomorrow. Like Walz, Zillmer went 2-1 in his pool, losing his opener to Salas, 5-4, then topping Micah Burak and Walz. In the semifinals, Zillmer edged 2016 Junior World silver medalist Erik Theile of Germany, 6-5.
Zach Sanders (57), Cody Brewer (61), Robbie Mathers (65), Jason Chamberlain (70) and Ben Durbin (125) join Walz and Zillmer as American finalists in Havana.
Sanders, Brewer, Mathers and Chamberlain all face stout Cuban opponents in their respective final. Durbin will see Olympic champion and two-time World champion Taha Akgul of Turkey for 125 kg gold.
There are 10 other U.S. competitors who have qualified to wrestle for a bronze medal.
The men’s freestyle finals at the Cerro Pelado International will be held at 2 p.m. (ET) on Thursday.
Complete results from Havana can be found at unitedworldwrestling.org. A live stream is available to U.S. residents at trackwrestling.com.
2018 CERRO PELADO INTERNATIONAL
At Havana, Cuba, Feb. 21-22
Medal Matches
57 kg/125 lbs.
Gold – Zach Sanders (United States) vs. Alexei Alvares (Cuba)
Bronze – Aso Palani (Canada) vs. Eddie Klimara (United States)
Bronze – Pedro Mejias (Venezuela) vs. Joey Dance (United States)
61 kg/134 lbs.
Gold – Cody Brewer (United States) vs. Yowlys Bonne Rodriguez (Cuba)
Bronze – Tony Ramos (United States) vs. Dabian Quintana (Cuba)
Bronze – Johnni DiJulius (United States) vs. Shelton Mack (United States)
65 kg/143 lbs.
Gold – Alejandro Valdez Tobier (Cuba) vs. Robbie Mathers (United States)
Bronze – Brandon Diaz (Mexico) vs. Lazaro Carbonel (Cuba)
Bronze – Dillon Williams (Canada) vs. Anthony Abidin (United States)
70 kg/154 lbs.
Gold – Jason Chamberlain (United States) vs. Franklin Maren (Cuba)
Bronze – Mario Mason (United States) vs. Hunter Stieber (United States)
Bronze – Kevin Henkel (Germany) vs. Luis Rochez (Honduras)
74 kg/163 lbs.
Gold – Livan Lopez Azcuy (Cuba) vs. Kubilay Cakici (Germany)
Bronze – Jean Peralta (Chile) vs. Yoan Suleueta (Cuba)
Bronze – Nestor Tafur (Colombia) vs. Jevon Balfour (Canada)
86 kg/189 lbs.
Gold – Achmed Dudarov (Germany) vs. Yurieski Torreblanca (Cuba)
Bronze – Pedro Ceballos Fuentes (Venezuela) vs. Martin Obst (Germany)
97 kg/213 lbs.
Gold – Hayden Zillmer (United States) vs. Ty Walz (United States)
Bronze – Erik Thiele (Germany) vs. Nathan Burak (United States)
125 kg/275 lbs.
Gold – Taha Akgul (Turkey) vs. Ben Durbin (United States)
Bronze – Luis Vivewez (Venezuela) vs. Yudenny Alpajon (Cuba)
Bronze – Sean Molle (Canada) vs. Ceron Francisco (United States)
U.S. Men’s Freestyle Results
57 kg/125 lbs. – Joey Dance (Christiansburg, Va./New York AC)
WIN Viktor Lyzen (Germany), 10-0
WIN Reinier Andreu (Cuba), Fall
LOSS Alexei Alvares (Cuba), 4-3
Vs. Pedro Mejias (Venezuela)
57 kg/125 lbs. – Eddie Klimara (Champaign, Ill./Titan Mercury WC/Illinois RTC)
LOSS Zach Sanders (United States), 10-0
Vs. Aso Palani (Canada)
57 kg/125 lbs. – Zach Sanders (Minneapolis, Minn./Minnesota Storm)
WIN Aso Palani (Canada), Fall
WIN Eddie Klimara (United States)
Vs. Alexei Alvares (Cuba)
61 kg/134 lbs. – Cody Brewer (Evanston, Ill./Titan Mercury WC)
WIN Johnni DiJulius (United States), 11-2
WIN Shelton Mack (United States), 6-2
Vs. Yowlys Bonne Rodriguez (Cuba)
61 kg/134 lbs. – Daniel Deshazer (Wichita, Kan./Minnesota Storm)
WIN Ramzan Awtaew (Germany), 12-2
LOSS Dabian Quintana (Cuba), 5-1
61 kg/134 lbs. – Johnni DiJulius (Aurora, Ohio/Titan Mercury WC)
LOSS Cody Brewer (United States), 11-2
Vs. Shelton Mack (United States)
61 kg/134 lbs. – Earl Hall (Homestead, Fla./New York AC)
LOSS Shelton Mack (United States), 3-2
61 kg/134 lbs. – Darrius Little (Bethlehem, Pa./Lehigh Valley WC)
WIN Brian Alonzo (United States), 10-0
LOSS Yowlys Bonne Rodriguez (Cuba), 7-4
LOSS Tony Ramos (United States), 4-4
61 kg/134 lbs. – Tony Ramos (Chapel Hill, N.C./Sunkist Kids/Tar Heel WC)
LOSS Yowlys Bonne Rodriguez (Cuba), Fall
WIN Darius Little (United States), 4-4
61 kg/134 lbs. – Brian Alonzo
LOSS Darius Little (United States), 10-0
61 kg/134 lbs. – Shelton Mack (Charlottesville, Va./Titan Mercury WC)
WIN Earl Hall (United States), 3-2
LOSS Cody Brewer (United States), 6-2
Vs. Johnni DiJulius (United States)
65 kg/143 lbs. – Joey Lazor (Cedar Falls, Iowa/Panther WC)
LOSS Anthony Abidin (United States), Fall
65 kg/143 lbs. – Kanen Storr (Leslie, Mich./Titan Mercury WC)
LOSS Lazaro Carbonel (Cuba), 10-0
65 kg/143 lbs. – Anthony Abidin (Fresno, Calif./Valley RTC)
WIN Joey Lazor (United States), Fall
WIN Solezal Cristian (Cuba), 12-2
LOSS Alejandro Valdez Tobier (Cuba), 10-0
Vs. Dillon Williams (Canada)
65 kg/143 lbs. – Josh Kindig (Auburn, Pa./Sunkist Kids/Tar Heel WC)
WIN Anthoni Montero (Venezuela), 10-0
LOSS Lazaro Carbonel (Cuba), 13-2
65 kg/143 lbs. – Joey Ward (Cincinnati, Ohio/Sunkist Kids/Tar Heel WC)
WIN Nikolas Dorn (Germany), 6-4
LOSS Robbie Mathers (United States), 12-0
LOSS Brandon Diaz (Mexico), 10-0
65 kg/143 lbs. – Robbie Mathers (Tempe, Ariz./Sunkist Kids)
WIN Brandon Diaz (Mexico), 10-0
WIN Joey Ward (United States), 12-0
WIN Lazaro Carbonel (Cuba), Inj. Def.
Vs. Alejandro Valdez Tobier (Cuba)
70 kg/154 lbs. – Jason Chamberlain (Fresno, Calif./Titan Mercury WC)
WIN Mario Mason (United States), 9-1
WIN Hunter Stieber (United States), 10-2
Vs. Franklin Maren (Cuba)
70 kg/154 lbs. – Mario Mason (Bethlehem, Pa./Lehigh Valley WC)
LOSS Jason Chamberlain (United States), 9-1
Vs. Hunter Stieber (United States)
70 kg/154 lbs. – Hunter Stieber (Norman, Okla./Titan Mercury WC/Oklahoma RTC)
WIN Daniel Reed (United States), 8-4
LOSS Jason Chamberlain (United States), 10-2
Vs. Mario Mason (United States)
70 kg/154 lbs. – Daniel Reed
LOSS Hunter Stieber (United States), 8-4
92 kg/202 lbs. – Nick Heflin (Norman, Okla./Titan Mercury WC/ Oklahoma RTC)
WIN Don McNeil (United States), 17-6
LOSS Gabriel Stark (Germany), Inj. Def.
92 kg/202 lbs. – Don McNeil (Plainville, Mass./New England RTC)
LOSS Gabriel Stark (Germany), 2-2
LOSS Nick Heflin (United States), 17-6
LOSS Husseyin Gunduz (Turkey), 10-0
WIN Nikko Reyes (United States), 18-7
92 kg/202 lbs. – Nikko Reyes (Fresno, Calif./Valley RTC)
LOSS Husseyin Gunduz (Turkey), 3-1
LOSS Gabriel Stark (Germany), 10-0
LOSS Don McNeil (United States), 18-7
97 kg/213 lbs. – Micah Burak (Colorado Springs, Colo./Titan Mercury WC)
LOSS Ty Walz (United States), 5-0
LOSS Hayden Zillmer (United States), 10-0
LOSS Reineris Salas (Cuba), 12-2
97 kg/213 lbs. – Ty Walz (Cleveland, Ohio/Titan Mercury WC/Southeast RTC)
WIN Micah Burak (United States), 5-0
WIN Reineris Salas (United States), 12-2
LOSS Hayden Zillmer (United States), 5-2
WIN Nathan Burak (United States), 5-4
Vs. Hayden Zillmer (United States)
97 kg/213 lbs. – Nathan Burak (Iowa City, Iowa/Titan Mercury WC/Hawkeye WC)
WIN Jose Diaz Robertti (Venezuela), 10-1
WIN Erik Thiele (Germany), 7-4
LOSS Ty Walz (United States), 5-4
Vs. Erik Thiele (Germany)
97 kg/213 lbs. – Hayden Zillmer (Minneapolis, Minn./Minnesota Storm)
LOSS Reineris Salas (Cuba), 5-4
WIN Micah Burak (United States), 10-0
WIN Ty Walz (United States), 5-2
WIN Erik Thiele (Germany), 6-5
Vs. Ty Walz (United States)
125 kg/275 lbs. – Ben Durbin (Gilbert, Iowa/Cyclone WC)
WIN Luis Vivewez (Venezuela), Fall
WIN Yudenny Alpajon (Cuba)
Vs. Taha Akgul (Turkey)
125 kg/275 lbs. – Ceron Francisco (Fayetteville, N.C.)
WIN Marcel Bohme (Germany), Inj. Def.
LOSS Taha Akgul (Turkey), 11-0
Vs. Sean Molle (Canada)
