ASUNCIÓN 2025: Cuban Greco-Roman Wrestlers Set to Showcase Grips and Throws

The stage is set. On Wednesday, the throws and back passes of Greco-Roman wrestling will take center stage at the II Junior Pan American Games, hosted at the COP Arena.

Cuba enters the competition with high ambitions. The talent of its four representatives, guided by Olympic champion and coach Héctor Milián, provides confidence that podium finishes are within reach, with the possibility of climbing to the very top.

The technical congress clarified questions about rivals and matchups, and the Cuban delegation is confident in its chances. At the forefront is the speedy wrestler from Pinar del Río, Yonat Véliz (67 kg), considered the leading contender for the crown. He is aiming to defend the title he won four years ago at the inaugural edition of the event in Cali-Valle.

Known for his lightning-fast movement that enables him to score with back passes, Véliz also excels with precise takedowns and powerful hip and underarm grips.

His first opponent will be Brennan van Hoecke of the United States in the quarterfinals. “I have never fought him before. But I am well prepared and will apply everything I have trained in order to defend my title,” Véliz told JIT.

The U.S. squad is seen as the main obstacle for Cuba’s quartet under Milián, although other individual contenders in the region also merit attention.

Cuba topped the team standings in the previous edition of the tournament, with four gold medals and one silver, a performance that now inspires the delegation as they compete in a championship that will award direct qualification spots for the 2027 Pan American Games in Lima.

First-round matchups for the Cuban wrestlers on Wednesday:

• 67 kg: Yonat Véliz (CUB) vs. Brennan van Hoecke (USA)

• 77 kg: Joenni Gómez (CUB) vs. Dalfren Parada (VEN)

• 87 kg: Cristian Viery (CUB) vs. Eduardo Valdés (PAR)

• 97 kg: Ebián González (CUB) vs. Sadath Ortega (PAN)