World Wrestling Championships: Cuban Hopes

Several Cuban wrestlers are among the favorites to capture medals at the upcoming World Wrestling Championships, set to kick off on October 24 in Astana, the capital of Kazakhstan.

Among them are Greco-Roman wrestlers Luis Orta (67 kg) and Gabriel Rosillo (97 kg), as well as freestyle wrestlers Arturo Silot and Milaymis Marín, though they are not the only contenders.

Orta was unable to showcase his true caliber at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, but he remains a benchmark in his weight class and could easily claim the missing medal in his record.

Rosillo continues to be one of the top figures in the Greco-Roman 97 kg category, thanks to his 2023 world title and his bronze medal in the City of Light.

Meanwhile, Marín holds world bronze medals at the highest level (2024 and 2025) and is positioned to step higher on the podium in the top women's division.

Finally, Silot aims to reach the podium for the first time at this level in freestyle, where Russia's Abdulrashid Sadulaev and America's Kyle Snyder remain the top contenders. The draw will place him against one of them, forcing him to rise to the occasion to secure at least a third-place finish.

Although they have yet to take the big leap, Kevin de Armas (Greco-Roman 63 kg) and Geannis Garzón (freestyle 74 kg) possess the requisite quality to battle for medals in their respective weight classes.

Additionally, Yaynelis Sanz (55 kg) is seen with solid potential to finish among the medalists, as she did in junior categories.

With lower expectations but by no means ruled out are Daniel Gregorich, who hopes to regain prestige in the 87 kg Greco-Roman division after missing out on the previous summer showcase, and Greilis Bencosme (50 kg), who demonstrates strong technical skills on the mat.

According to the event schedule, competitions will open on the morning of October 24 with qualification rounds in the Greco-Roman 55 kg, 60 kg, 82 kg, and 77 kg weight classes. The opening ceremony will be held in the evening at the Barys Arena Ice Palace.

In keeping with recent tradition at major wrestling events, repechage matches and medal bouts for the previous day's categories will take place the following day alongside preliminary rounds for the next weight divisions.

Following the decade-long standard for world championships, the competition will feature 10 divisions per style rather than the six contested at the Olympics.

Women's wrestling will follow the Greco-Roman discipline, with the tournament concluding on November 1 with podium matches in the men's freestyle 79 kg, 57 kg, 92 kg, and 74 kg categories.

Translated by Sergio A. Paneque Díaz / CubaSí Translation Staff