2013 FILA Cadet World Championships Recap: Pico captured gold in freestyle at Zrenjanin, Serbia

Overview: Aaron Pico, a native of Whittier, Calif., and sophomore to be at St. John Bosco High School, was the only one of 30 American wrestlers to win a gold medal in three styles at the FILA Cadet Worlds, held Aug. 20-26 in Zrenjanin, Serbia.

Pico won all five matches at 138.75 pounds in men’s freestyle on Aug. 25, including an 8-6 win over Japan’s Yuhi Fujinami in the Sports Complex.

“Nothing really changed in the final. I met with my coach and stuck with my game plan, which was to attack and get the guy tired. He was a good opponent and he didn’t get tired. I was able to score during some situations and that was the difference in the match. There is a big difference wrestling internationally and wrestling in the United States. Fortunately, I got the win. I am super happy, and overall, I think I did good,” Pico told TheMat.com.

Overall, men’s freestyle left Serbia with the best record of the three American teams, with a winning record (13-12), compared to 9-10 in women’s freestyle and 9-11 in Greco-Roman.

But women’s freestyle produced three medal winners — a silver by Regina Doi at 88 pounds, while her twin sister Marina (both from Kingsburg, Calif.) and Teshya Alo of Honolulu, Hawaii, settled for third place at 83.75 and 123.25 pounds, respectively — while Cade Olivas and Jon Jay Chavez also earned bronze medals at 92.5 and 152 pounds in Greco-Roman.

Russia won team championships in all three styles. The U.S. finished sixth in women’s freestyle, ninth in men’s freestyle and 13^th in Greco-Roman.

Men’s Freestyle

Aaron Pico (top) defeated Japan’s Yuhi Fujinami for the 138.75-pound freestyle title in the Cadet Worlds.

Top 15 Team Standings
Pl.            Country            Points

1.             Russia            85
2.             Azerbaijan            66
3.             Iran            56
4.             India            51
5.             Japan            46
6.             Kazakhstan            36
7.            Turkey            31

Georgia            31
9.             United States            23
10.             Moldova            20
11.             Ukraine            18
12.             Armenia            16
13.             Kyrgyzstan            13
14.             Belarus            12

Germany            12

U.S. Results/Medal Winners

42 kg/92.5 lbs. – Austin Gomez, Carol Stream, Ill. (DNP)

• • lost by TF to Younes Emamichoghaei (Iran), 8-0, 1:49
• • lost by TF to Jatin Jatin (India), 8-0, 1:40

Gold – Ryo Matsui (Japan)
Silver – Younes Emamchoghaei (Iran)
Bronze – Viktor Terzi (Ukraine)
Bronze – Jatin Jatin (India)

46 kg/104.25 lbs. – Devin Brown, Saegertown, Pa. (DNP)
• lost to Balasz Egyed (Hungary), 7-5

Gold – Darhan Kalkenov (Kazakhstan)
Silver – Fasil Hasanov (Azerbaijan)
Bronze – Takuto Otoguro (Japan)
Bronze – Kheyrolla Ghahramani (Iran)

50 kg/110 lbs. – Spencer Lee, Saegertown, Pa., 7th place

• • won by TF over Ravzan Domitru (Romania), 7-0 (0:48)
• • won by TF over Abolfazi Hajipurmiji (Iran), 8-0 (1st period)
• • lost by TF to Mahir Amiraslanov (Azerbaijan), 11-4 (2:44)
• • lost to Irakli Mkheidze (Georgia), 6-3, first period (2 three-point throws)

Gold – Abdulagav Shakhbanov (Russia)
Silver – Mahir Amiraslanov (Azerbaijan)
Bronze – Toshohiro Hasegawa (Japan)
Bronze – Iralki Mkheidze (Georgia)

54 kg/119 lbs. – Stevan Micic, Cedar Lake, Ind. (DNP)

• • lost to Nematdin Rahmanov (Azerbaijan), 10-4

Gold – Andriy Yatsenko (Ukraine)
Silver – Imam Tesaev (Russia)
Bronze – Yerlan Abylkhan (Kazakhstan)
Bronze – Zandanbud Zanabazar (Mongolia)

58 kg/127.75 lbs. – Sean Fausz, Alexandria, Ky., 9th place

• • won by TF over Arpad Yakab (Romania), 12-5 (4:00)
• • won by TF over Fotios Papadakis (Greece), 8-0 (0:36)
• • lost by TF to Mahammadali Aliyev (Azerbaijan), 7-0, (2:26)

Gold – Selim Kozan (Turkey)
Silver – Ramaz Zoidze (Georgia)
Bronze – Mahammadali Aliyev (Azerbaijan)
Bronze – Uruzbeg Tcomartov (Russia)

63 kg/138.75 lbs. – Aaron Pico, Whittier, Calif. (Champion)

• • won by TF over Adilbek Osmonaliev (Kyrgyzstan), 7-0, (1:41)
• • defeated Teymur Mammadov (Azerbaijan), 2-1
• • won by TF over Maxim Carabadjac (Moldova), 10-2 (1:45)
• • defeated Vikas Vikas (India), 8-4
• • defeated Yuhi Fujinami (Japan), 8-6

Gold – Aaron Pico (USA)
Silver – Yuhi Fujinami (Japan)
Bronze – Bakar Ayubov (Russia)
Bronze – Teymur Mammadov (Azerbaijan)

69 kg/152 lbs. – Jon Jay Chavez, Boise, Idaho, 10th place

• • won by TF over Pieter Roedulf Roets (South Africa), 8-0 (1:13)
• • lost bt TF to Tariel Gaphrindashvili (Georgia), 6-0, 1:24 (2 three-point throws)

Gold – Abdulmuslim Mukhuddinov (Azerbaijan)
Silver – Kamran Ghasempour (Iran)
Bronze – Tariel Gaphrindashvili (Georgia)
Bronze – Alberts Juvcenko (Latvia)

76 kg/167.5 lbs. – Bo Nickal, Allen, Texas (5th place)

• • defeated Takashi Ishiguro (Japan), 6-3
• • lost to Batyrbek Tcakulov (Russia), 7-1
• • won by TF over Simone Iannattone (Italy), 7-0 (first period)
• • won by TF over Sargis Hovsepyan (Armenia), 8-0 (1:40)
• • lost to Ali Mojerloo (Iran), 2-4

Gold – Batyrbek Tcakulov (Russia)
Silver – Balraj Balraj (India)
Bronze – Ali Mojerloo (Iran)
Bronze – Linus Van Rensburg (South Africa)

85 kg/187.4 lbs. – Angus Arthur, Laingsburg, Mich. (DNP)

• • lost by TF to Nuramagomed Gadzhiyev (Azerbaijan), 9-1

Gold – Abdulrashid Sadulaev (Russia)
Silver – Muhammed Enes Altun (Turkey)
Bronze – Zhassulan Yermembet (Kazakhstan)
Bronze – Nuramagomed Gadzhiyev (Azerbaijan)

100 kg/220 lbs. – Lance Benick, Scandia, Minn. (DNP)

• • lost to Eren Dursun Turan (Turkey), 5-0

Gold – Znaur Kotciev (Russia)
Silver – Aliasghar Akbarizarinkolaei (Iran)
Bronze – Givi Matcharashvili (Georgia)
Bronze – Turkhan Gurbanov (Azerbaijan)

Women’s freestyle

Regina Doi (top) earned silver at the Cadet Worlds where her twin sister Marina and Teshya Alo captured bronze.

Final Team Standings
Pl.            Country            Points

1.             Russia            74
2.             Japan            71
3.             Ukraine            52
4.             Kazakhstan            45
5.             Romania            35
6.             United States            33
7.             India            30
8.             Germany            27
9.             Azerbaijan            20
10.            Belarus            19

Poland            19
12.             Hungary            16
13.             Turkey            15
14.            Bulgaria            14

Mexico            14

Norway            14

U.S. Results/Medal Winners

38 kg/83.75 lbs. – Marina Doi, Kingsburg, Calif. (Third place)

• • lost to Oksana Livach (Ukraine), 6-2
• • defeated Aleksandra Skirenko (Russia), 5-3

Gold – Oksana Livach (Ukraine)
Silver – Christina Zoltan (Romania)
Bronze – Marina Doi (USA)
Bronze – Ramona Eriksen (Norway)

40 kg/88 lbs. – Regina Doi, Kingsburg, Calif. (Runner-up)

• • defeated Veronika Gurskaya (Russia), 6-4
• • won by TF over  Maria Chia (Romania), 8-0, 2:18
• • defeated WIN Dinura Sulaimanova (Kyrgyzstan), 2-1
• • lost to Svetlana Ankicheva (Kazakstan), 4-0

Gold – Svetlana Ankicheva (Kazakhstan)
Silver – Regina Doi (USA)
Bronze – Mizuki Kosaka (Japan)
Bronze – Veronika Gurskaya (Russia)

43 kg/94.75 lbs. – Sariyah Jones, Modesto, Calif. (DNP)

• • lost to Bidyarani Potshangbam (India), 4-1

Gold – Elvira Abilkairova (Kazakhstan)
Silver – Miglena Selishka (Bulgaria)
Bronze – Nadezhda Sokolova (Russia)
Bronze – Amiru Tanaka (Japan)

46 kg/101.25 lbs. – Harriet Symington, Bethesda, Md. (DNP)

• • lost by TF to Georgiana Burduf (Romania), 9-2 (2:09)

Gold – Zainab Magomedova (Russia)
Silver – Olena Kremzer (Ukraine)
Bronze – Miho Igarashi (Japan)
Bronze – Adrianis Castillo (Venezuela)

49 kg/108 lbs. – Cadence Lee, Los Altos Hills, Calif. (8th place)

• • pinned Noemi Szenttamasi (Hungary), pin 1:39
• • lost to Janika Vakkila (Finland), 3-1

Gold – Kika Kagata (Japan)
Silver – Alina Kazmova (Russia)
Bronze – Luisa Springmann (Germany)
Bronze – Kataryna Mashkevych (Ukraine)
52 kg/114.5 lbs. – Gabrielle Garcia, Anaheim, Calif. (DNP)

• • lost to Viktorya Didkivska (Ukraine), 6-0

Gold – Mayu Mukaida (Japan)
Silver – Luiza Suleymanova (Russia)
Bronze – Laman Gurbanova (Azerbaijan)
Bronze – Viktorya Didkivska (Ukraine)

56 kg/123.25 lbs. – Teshya Alo, Honolulu, Hawaii (3^rd place)

• • lost to Maria Kotsareva (Russia), 7-5
• • pinned Arianna Carieri (Italy), 1:13
• • pinned Grace Bullen (Norway), 3:52

Gold – Maria Kotsareva (Russia)
Silver – Alexandra Wolczynska (Poland)
Bronze – Madina Barkbergenova (Kazakhstan)
Bronze – Teshya Alo (USA)

60 kg/132.25 lbs. – Becka Leathers, Choctaw, Okla., 7th place

• • pinned Alexandra Sandahl (Sweden), 3:59
• • lost by fall to Kriszta Incze (Romania), 3:18

Gold – Ramona Galambos (Hungary)
Silver – Laura Charashvili (Belarus)
Bronze – Kriszta Incze (Romania)
Bronze – Shiomi Imai (Japan)

65 kg/143.25 lbs. – Alexis Porter, Ballston Lake, N.Y. (DNP)

• • lost to Darnya Legusha (Ukraine), 4-1

Gold – Masako Furuichi (Japan)
Silver – Nicole Amann (Germany)
Bronze – Daria Shisterova (Russia)
Bronze – Zhamila Bakgergenova (Kazakhstan)
70 kg/154.25 lbs. – Alyssa LaFrancis, Vista, Calif. (10th place)

• • defeated Beste Altug (Turkey), 3-2
• • lost by TF to Vanessa Yacarias Romero (Mexico), 9-2 (4:00)

Gold – Anastasiia Shustova (Ukraine)
Silver – Mei Shindo (Japan)
Bronze – Francy Radelt (Germany)
Bronze – Vanessa Yacarias Romero (Mexico)

Greco-Roman

Jon Jay Chavez (top) of Idaho competed in both freestyle and Greco, earning a bronze in the upper-body style.

Team Standings
Pl.            Country            Points

1.             Russia            62
2.             Azerbaijan            53
3.             Kyrgyzstan             41
4.             Ukraine            40
5.             Georgia            38
6.            Turkey            30

Belarus            30
8.             Iran            27

Hungary            27
10.             Armenia            25

Kazakhstan            25
12.             Japan            23
13.            Bulgaria            20

            United States            20
15.             Uzbekistan            19

U.S. Results/Medal Winners
42 kg/92.5 lbs. – Cade Olivas, Fontana, Calif. (3^rd place)

• • lost to Nurbek Maksatbekov (Kyrgyzstan), 4-2
• • defeated Semur Huseynov (Azerbaijan), 6-5
• • defeated Zelimkhan Usmanov (Kazakhstan), 6-6 criteria

Gold – Emin Shafershayev (Ukraine)
Silver – Nurbek Maksatbekov (Kyrgyzstan)
Bronze – Slavik Galstyan (Armenia)
Bronze – Cade Olivas (USA)

46 kg/104.4 lbs. – Tanner Cox, Mapleton, Utah (DNP)

• • lost by TF to Temur Shavadze (Georgia), 8-0  (2:19)

Gold – Mohammad Soltani Monfared (Iran)
Silver – Vladislav Melnikov (Russia),
Bronze – Javokhir Mirakohmedov (Uzbekistan)
Bronze – Kanan Cafarov (Azerbaijan)

50 kg/110 lbs. – Kyle Norstrem, Valrico, Fla. (9^th place)

• • won by TF over Georgios Georgiadis (Greece), 10-2 (0:56)
• • lost by TF to Aido Sultangali (Kazakhstan), 14-6 (2^nd period)

Gold – Mikail Rahmanov (Azerbaijan)

Silver – Artur Palitaeiv (Ukraine)

Brown – Nuzupbek Topchubaev (Kyrgyzstan)

Bronze – Kamariddin Zayniddinov (Uzbekistan)

54kg/119 lbs. – Taylor Lamont, Mapleton, Utah (11^th place)

• • defeated Pavel Chaikouski (Belarus), 5-3
• • lost to Kirill Gorshenin (Russia), 5-0
• • lost to Ovidiu Dumitru (Romania), 4-3

Gold – Kazuya Koyanagi (Japan)

Silver – Kirill Gorshenin (Russia)

Bronze – Hortl Miklos (Serbia)

Bronze – Maksym Yevtushenko (Ukraine)

58kg/127.75 lbs. – Devin Bahr, LaCrosse, Wisc. (DNP)

• • lost by TF to Hossein Assadikolmati (Iran), 8-0 (1:01)

Gold – Kinsinger Etienne (Germany)

Silver – Molnar Pavlo (Ukraine)

Bronze – Torba Erik (Hungary)

Bronze – Kavjaradze Levani (Georgia)

63kg/138.75 lbs. – Anthony Giraldo, Guttenberg, N.J. (DNP)

• • lost by TF to Jorge Marinez Lopez (Mexico), 9-2 (3:41)

Gold – Takhoev Azamat (Russia)

Silver – Galkinas Paulius (Lithuania)

Bronze – Sakou Uladzimir (Belarus)

Brown – Koryun Amiryan (Armenia)
69 kg/152 lbs. – Jon Jay Chavez, Boise, Idaho (3^rd place)

• • defeated Antonio Kamenjasevic (Croatia), 5-1
• • won by TF over Mehrac Karimov (Azerbaijan), 7-1 (2 three-point throws)
• • lost to Serkhan Akkoyun (Turkey), 5-0
• • won by TF over WIN Kryzysztof Niklas (Poland), 8-2 (2 three-point throws)
• • defeated Hrant Kalchyan (Armenia), 8-5

Gold – Asen Sasaki (Japan)
Silver – Serkhan Akkoyun (Turkey)
Bronze – Jon Jay Chavez (USA)
Bronze – Termirlan Shadukaev (Kazakhstan)

76 kg/167.5 lbs. – Kimball Bastian, Mapleton, Utah (DNP)

• • lost to Martin Opperman (South Africa), 6-0

Gold – Islam Abbasov (Azerbaijan)
Silver – Bertain Papp (Hungary)
Bronze – Ali Cengiz (Turkey)
Bronze – Mairbek Adigeunov (Russia)

85 kg/187.4 lbs. – Angus Arthur, Laingsburg, Mich. (DNP)

• • lost to Oskar Czyzewski (Poland), 5-2

Gold – Soslan Fanziyev (Azerbaijan)
Silver – Muhammed Can Bicak (Turkey)
Bronze – Vladimir Shavlokhashvili (Russia)
Bronze – Denislav Zlatev (Bulgaria)

100kg/220 lbs. — Roy Nash, West Valley City, Utah (9th place)

• • won by TF over Ravi Ravi (India), 10-2, 2^nd period
• • lost by TF  to Beksultan Makhmudov (Kyrgyzstan), 11-3, 3:16

Gold – Zviad Gorsheinin (Georgia)
Silver – Boban Zivanovic (Serbia)
Bronze – Beksultan Makmudov (Kyrgyzstan)
Bronze – Evgeni Genchev (Bulgaria)