Here is what is going on at the moment in Salvador da Bahia, Brazil, where the 2017 Greco-Roman Pan Am Championships are currently being held.
The event, streaming live on Trackwrestling.com in the US, started behind schedule as it was. Eventually, the first US Greco-Roman competitor to take the mat was 2016 Olympian and four-time World Team member Robby Smith (NYAC), who locked horns with Oscar Pinto Hinds (CUB), last year’s Pan Am Championships winner at 130 kilos. Hinds got underneath Smith and tossed him for four in the early stages of the bout. Smith did what he could to burrow his way inside of Hinds’ clutches, but found it increasingly difficult to do so, as Hinds held Smith’s wrist and nestled momentary two-on-one’s throughout. With under a minute left and down by four, Smith got a takedown for two to cut the score in half, but it would not be enough, sending Hinds on his way with a 4-2 victory.
Immediately up next was Hayden Tuma (Army/WCAP) and his return to 66 kilograms for the first time in a year. His quarterfinal match was against Gorge Nick Gonzalez Batis (HON) and this one was over fairly quickly. Batis nailed a four and then a short lift for more points before Tuma challenged the call. The challenge was denied, giving Tuma an 8-0 technical fall loss.
That’s when things got chaotic. Apparently a fire broke out somewhere in the arena, resulting in an immediate evacuation. All wrestlers, coaches, staff, and spectators cleared the building. As of present time, Team USA is back at the hotel and there is no word yet regarding the tournament’s resumption. Being that the Pan Ams are one of the Continental Championships and possess new significance pertaining to the World Championships set for August in Paris, it is assumed that should the event not go back on today it will be rescheduled for a later date. But this is all speculation for now.
Here is the timeline of events:
….. anddddd the arena is on fire.
— G’angelo Hancock (@OlympicKidd) May 5, 2017
@5PtMove No…the arena legitimately just filled with black smoke and everyone has been evacuated. I’m sure the show will still go on! Posted for now
— G’angelo Hancock (@OlympicKidd) May 5, 2017
Competition in Brazil is heating up. Tournament postponed due to arena catching on fire. Will keep you updated.
— USA Wrestling (@USAWrestling) May 5, 2017
All of our team is safe and accounted for in Brazil. A decision will be made at 2pm ET on remaining competition.
— USA Wrestling (@USAWrestling) May 5, 2017
All Athletes, coaches and support staff are safe https://t.co/Mu2rF5obsF
— Matt Lindland (@mattlindland) May 5, 2017
We will update on Twitter and Facebook once more information is released. For now, there will at least be a significant wait until a decision is finally made.
2017 Greco-Roman Pan Am Championships Team USA Results
Hayden Tuma — 66 kg
LOSS Gorge Nick Gonzalez Batis (HON) 8-0, TF
Robby Smith — 130 kg
LOSS Oscar Pinto Hinds (CUB) 4-2
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