COLORADO SPRINGS, Colo.—The United States advanced another Greco-Roman wrestler to the 2008 Olympics in Beijing with Justin Ruiz’s gold medal Friday at the Pan American Wrestling Championships.
Ruiz, a 2005 World bronze medalist and a two-time All American at Nebraska, defeated Yosvani Goicochea of Cuba 1-2, 3-2, 4-1 to clinch the win in the 96 kg (211.5 pound) category.
T.C. Dantzler appeared to be the favorite at 74 kg (163 pounds), but lost 1-1, 4-2, 1-1 to Sixto Ochoa of Peru in the finals. Dantzler held 1-0 margins in the first and third periods, but gave up the final point in each to give the margin to Ochoa.
Dantzler earlier had won a 3-2, 4-1 decision over Mexico’s Juan Escobar and 3-0, 3-1 decision over Odelis Herrero of Cuba.
Olympic weight-class berths are awarded to countries rather than individual wrestlers, and the United States entered the competition having already qualified in four of the seven Greco-Roman weight classes.
Dantzler still can qualify by winning at tournaments May 9-11 in Rome or May 23-25 in Novi Sad, Serbia.
An Olympic berth was also at stake at 60 kgs but Joe Betterman lost a 6-0, 4-0 decision to Roberto Monzon of Cuba in the quarterfinals. Monzon, a silver medalist at the 2004 Olympics and five-time Pan American winner went on to win the gold medal, defeating Manuel Lopez of Mexico in the finals on a 1-0, 1-0 decision. Monzon clinched a 60 kg Olympic slot for Cuba.
Betterman took a bronze with a 4-1, 2-1 decision over Milton Gualapa of Ecuador.
Cuba had qualified only in the 120 kg (264.5 lb) weight division coming into the Pan American Championships, but took home five gold medals. Other Cuban gold medalists were: Yagnier Hernandez, 55 kgs;, Alain Milian, 66 kg;, Yunior Estrada, 84 kg,; and Mijail Lopez, 120 kg.
Cuba finished first in the team standings with 67 points. The U.S. had 61 and Venezuela was third with 36.
