Gabriel Rosillo of Cuba earned the bronze medal in the 97-kilogram Greco-Roman wrestling category at the Paris 2024 Olympics this Wednesday, following an early injury to Uzbek wrestler Rustam Assakalov. Assakalov suffered a muscle issue in his shoulder just seconds into the match and decided to forfeit.
Rosillo, who claimed the world champion title in 2023, didn't have to exert much effort as Assakalov's injury led to an abrupt end to the decisive bout. The wrestler from Santiago was one of the favorites in his division but narrowly missed the chance to compete for the gold medal after losing in the semifinals to Armenian wrestler Artur Alexanyan with a score of 3-5.
In a match many considered an early final, the Pan American champion displayed his full range of techniques but was unable to overcome Alexanyan, who boasts four world titles and an Olympic gold medal from Rio 2016.
Yusneylis Guzmán's Upcoming Challenge
Shortly, Yusneylis Guzmán will face off against American favorite Sara Ann Hildebrandt for the gold medal in the 50-kilogram freestyle category. Despite the outcome, Guzmán has already secured a silver medal, marking the first for Cuban women's wrestling in the Olympic Games.
Nicknamed “La Chiqui,” Guzmán aims to defeat Hildebrandt, who previously won bronze at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. Guzmán's journey to the finals included a debut victory over Turkish wrestler Evin Demirhan (7-6) and a dominant win (10-0) in the quarterfinals against Lithuanian wrestler Gabija Dilyte. She fell to Indian wrestler Vinesh Vinesh (0-5) in the semifinals, but Vinesh's disqualification due to a weigh-in issue allowed Guzmán to advance to the final match.
Training under the experienced Filiberto Delgado, Guzmán has become the first Cuban female wrestler to ensure a podium finish. At 28, she has significantly improved her 12th place standing from Tokyo.
Currently, the Cuban delegation ranks 40th in the overall medal standings, with one gold and two bronze medals.
FAQs about Cuban Wrestlers at Paris 2024
Here are some frequently asked questions about the achievements and events surrounding Cuban wrestlers at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
How did Gabriel Rosillo win the bronze medal?
Gabriel Rosillo won the bronze medal after his opponent, Rustam Assakalov, suffered a shoulder injury and had to forfeit the match.
Who did Yusneylis Guzmán defeat to reach the finals?
Yusneylis Guzmán defeated Turkish wrestler Evin Demirhan and Lithuanian wrestler Gabija Dilyte to reach the finals.
What is the current standing of the Cuban delegation in the medal count?
The Cuban delegation currently ranks 40th in the overall medal standings, with one gold and two bronze medals.