Olympic champion Luis Orta from Cuba celebrated his gold medal win at the Memorial Polyak Imre and Varga Janos in Budapest, Hungary, although one of his offensive moves has sparked controversy among wrestling fans.
With a flawless record in his four appearances in the 67-kilogram division of Greco-Roman wrestling, Orta once again showcased the skills that make him a strong contender for the title at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The world and Pan American champion debuted against the local wrestler David Mihaly Manyik, winning by technical superiority with an 8-0 score, unfazed by the audience's support for the home athlete. In the quarterfinals, he bested Japan's Kyotaro Sogabe, last year's national champion and third in the world in the under-23 category in 2022, with a 7-1 victory.
In the semifinals, Orta faced the challenging Iranian wrestler Saeid Morad Gholi Esmaeili Leivesi, a former world leader in the under-20 category at 60 kilograms two seasons ago. The first segment saw questionable decisions from the main referee, forcing the Cuban wrestler to shift gears in the decisive period. However, the opponent managed the bout well, leading 7-5 with only a few seconds left when he turned his back on Orta. Seizing the opportunity, Orta executed a four-point throw to seal the victory.
The Cuban's move has left fans divided on social media, with some believing he did the right thing by following the regulations, while others question the "fair play" aspect. Nevertheless, Orta left no room for doubt in the final match, defeating Georgian wrestler Leri Abuladze, the 2023 world champion in the 63 kg division and a Paris qualifier, with a 4-0 score to claim the title.
According to the official site JIT, another Cuban wrestler, Yosvanys Peña, secured a bronze medal in the 77 kg division. Meanwhile, Gabriel Rosillo (97 kg) and the stellar Mijaín López (130 kg), a four-time Olympic champion, did not compete due to technical decisions.
All the mentioned wrestlers, along with Kevin de Armas, form the Cuban Greco-Roman wrestling team for the upcoming Olympics, set to take place from July 26 to August 11. Cuba aims to capture five gold medals and finish among the top 25 nations in the standings.
Controversy Surrounding Luis Orta's Victory
The following questions and answers provide further insight into the controversy and key moments of Luis Orta's performance in Budapest.
What move by Luis Orta sparked controversy?
Luis Orta's four-point throw in the final seconds of his semifinal match against Saeid Morad Gholi Esmaeili Leivesi sparked controversy, with some fans questioning its fairness.
How did Luis Orta perform in the final match?
Luis Orta dominated the final match, defeating Georgian wrestler Leri Abuladze with a 4-0 score to claim the gold medal.
Who else from the Cuban team participated in the tournament?
Yosvanys Peña won a bronze medal in the 77 kg division, while Gabriel Rosillo and Mijaín López did not compete due to technical decisions.