Yona, Guam- Day # 01 (Greco Roman and Womens Wrestling
On February 06, 2024, Palau wrestlers competed in the 2024 Oceania Championships in Guam. The competition was held at Leo Palace Resort in Yona, Guam. There were 9 countries that participated in the championships this year and they included American Samoa, Australia, FSM, Guam, Marshall Islands, Nauru, New Zealand, Palau and Samoa. The championships event will be a pre-requisite to compete in the upcoming Africa Oceania Championships & Olympic Qualifier being held next month in Cairo, Egypt. Whoever places in the top 2 weight divisions will then go on to compete in the Paris Olympic Games.
On Tuesday, day 01 of the competition, Cristian Nicolescu was the first to compete in the Greco Roman Senior division (67kg). He competed against Zuko Bingham and he was able to dominate and win with a strong finish with a score of 10-0 during the first period of the match. Cristian went on to wrestle Ando Lehtmets of Australia. This was a tough match and Cristian won the match. In the finals Cristian wrestled Gaku Akazawa of Samoa, and this was a very tough match, but Gaku prevailed and won the gold medal. Cristian won the silver and Australia the bronze. According to Cristian, Gaku was a very tough opponent who used to wrestle for Japan and it was a tough match but Cristian looks forward to competing in the mens freestyle competition on Wednesday.
Also competing on this day was Uilau Ilebrang Tarkong who wrestled against Annie Anjumela Aloisio of American Samoa. Uilau wrestled her last year won the gold medal. Uilau wrestled Aloisio in the womens under 20yrs old weight division and won the gold medal match with a score of 10-0 technical superiority. Uilau also wrestled Aloisio in the women senior division (72kg). Uilau dominated and controlled the match with takedowns and winning with a pin.
Uiliperefoti Failautusi Cooper, our 17 year old heavyweight who will turn 18 next month, was supposed to wrestle in the Under 20years old weight division but his opponent withdrew from New Zealand due to injury and did not come to the event. Nevertheless, Uiliperefoti was able to compete in the mens senior 130kg freestyle division against the older and much stronger opponent Marcus Carney. Marcus was able to win the gold match after defeating Uiliperofti who won the silver medal. This was a good experience for Uiliperefoti who will be our next promising heavy weight for Palau.
Also representing Guam was Auriana Keseoal Emechong Hobson Decherong, who won the gold medal in the womens freestyle Under 17 category after beating Aika Bradey of Australia.
Overall, on day 01 Palau won 2 gold and 2 silver medals. On Wednesday, Uiliperefoti, Cristian and Florian Skilang Temengil will compete on mens freestyle competition.
Day # 02 (Freestyle Mens – U17, U20 and Seniors)
On Wednesday, February 7, 2024, Cristian Nicolescu competed in the mens senior freestyle 70kg weight division against Gavin Whitt of Guam. Cristian was able to win the match by technical superiority 10-0. Cristian went on to wrestle Robert Frederick Alexander also from Guam and Cristian dominated the match for the win. Cristian won gold, Whitt silver medal and Alexander the bronze.
In the senior mens 97kg weight division, Florian Skilang Temengil was able to win the match against Alofipo Maulalo Willie of Samoa. Skilang went on to wrestle Thomas Barns of Australia but lost during the first period of the match. Thomas defeated Willie of Samoa and Thomas won gold medal, Skilang silver and Willie the bronze.
In the mens 125kg senior freestyle division, Pelefoti Cooper wrestled against Marcus Carney of New Zealand, but Carney was able to win the match for the gold medal Pelefoti the silver medal.
Uilau Tarkong – U20 Womens Wrestling (72kg) – Gold
Uilau Tarkong – Seniors Womens Wrestling (72kg) – Gold
Cristian Nicolescu – Greco Roman Senior (67kg) – Silver
Crisian Nicolescu – Freestyle Mens Senior (70kg) – Gold
Florian Skilang Temengil – Senior Mens (97kg) – Silver
Uiliperefoti Cooper – Mens Senior Greco Roman 130kg – Silver
Uiliperfoti Cooper – Mens Senior Freestyle 125kg – Silver
What’s next? Palau’s wrestling team will be preparing for Africa-Oceania Olympic Qualifying Tournament next month in Egypt. The top two winners will qualify for the Paris Olympic Games.
Palau’s wrestling team would like to thank Palau NOC, our corporate sponsor WCTC, NECO Plaza and the Etpison Foundation for their continued support. More importantly, thank you to our athletes, coaches and officials as well as our families and supporters for representing Team Palau during this important event.