Northwestern University Athletics
Photo by: Richard Immel / USA Wrestling
Odiotti Takes Home Gold at U23 Pan American Championships
6/11/2026 9:47:00 PM | Wrestling
LIMA, Peru - Massey Odiotti took home the gold medal at 61kg and helped the United States to its third straight freestyle team title on Thursday afternoon at the U23 Pan American Championships. Odiotti defeated opponents from Argentina, Jamaica and Brazil en route to his first-place finish in Lima, Peru.
Odiotti opened his day with a 10-0 technical fall against Argentina's Alex Vega Tun. He notched three takedowns to rack up an 8-0 lead in the first period, then finished off the tech fall on a final takedown with 2:34 left on the clock.
In the semifinal round, Odiotti continued his dominance with another shutout, defeating Irie Jackson (Jamaica) 10-0. Odiotti struck early to gain the first advantage, following up a takedown with a gut wrench to gain a 4-0 advantage over Jackson just 18 seconds into the first period. Three more takedowns in quick succession helped Odiotti finish off the technical fall in under two minutes, securing his place in the championship match.
The 61kg gold medal match went down to the wire, with Odiotti battling Matthew Alves Lopes (Brazil) to the final whistle. Alves Lopes scored first, gaining a 3-0 advantage with a minute remaining in the first period. Odiotti struck back quickly, however, taking a 4-3 lead on a takedown and a gut. Alves Lopes tied the match back up after the break, but a final takedown from Odiotti would be enough to secure the victory. Despite a late stepout, Odiotti defeated Alves Lopes 6-5 to take the gold medal at 61kg.
Odiotti's gold medal was one of nine won by United States wrestlers in freestyle competition. With top-two finishes in all ten weight classes, the U.S. team took home its third straight team title by a margin of 65 points over second-place Puerto Rico.
Odiotti opened his day with a 10-0 technical fall against Argentina's Alex Vega Tun. He notched three takedowns to rack up an 8-0 lead in the first period, then finished off the tech fall on a final takedown with 2:34 left on the clock.
In the semifinal round, Odiotti continued his dominance with another shutout, defeating Irie Jackson (Jamaica) 10-0. Odiotti struck early to gain the first advantage, following up a takedown with a gut wrench to gain a 4-0 advantage over Jackson just 18 seconds into the first period. Three more takedowns in quick succession helped Odiotti finish off the technical fall in under two minutes, securing his place in the championship match.
The 61kg gold medal match went down to the wire, with Odiotti battling Matthew Alves Lopes (Brazil) to the final whistle. Alves Lopes scored first, gaining a 3-0 advantage with a minute remaining in the first period. Odiotti struck back quickly, however, taking a 4-3 lead on a takedown and a gut. Alves Lopes tied the match back up after the break, but a final takedown from Odiotti would be enough to secure the victory. Despite a late stepout, Odiotti defeated Alves Lopes 6-5 to take the gold medal at 61kg.
Odiotti's gold medal was one of nine won by United States wrestlers in freestyle competition. With top-two finishes in all ten weight classes, the U.S. team took home its third straight team title by a margin of 65 points over second-place Puerto Rico.
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