OCEANIA CHAMPIONSHIPS BEGIN

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By Patrick Lujan

Athletes from participating countries line up during the opening ceremonies.

Guam won seven Greco-Roman gold medals in the opening day of the 2013 Oceania Wrestling Championship Monday afternoon at the UOG Field House.

Joey Lopez and Michael Shinohara highlighted the day with impressive runs to the gold.

After winning his opening match via pin, Lopez went through two tough New Zealand grapplers, winning two of three rounds on points in his second match before finally outpointing Soukananh Thongsinh 8-5 to capture the 66kg (145-lb) gold.

Youngster Michael Shinohara went a perfect 3-for-3 with three pins on his way to the 84kg (185-lb) gold. Shinohara handled a Palauan wrestler and two New Zealand wrestlers, including Josh Downes in the finals.

Zachary Flores won two gold in the 55kg (121-lb) division, winning the open category as the lone participant. Flores also won gold in the cadet division (15-16) with a win over fellow Guamanian Jared Kane.

High school star Micah Lopez took the 74kg (163-lb) silver medal in the open division. After winning his first two matches, Lopez lost on points against the tough Clinton Davis out of New Zealand 11-4. Lopez did go unbeaten in three junior (17-18) matches to take gold.

The other two gold medalists were junior wrestlers: Drake Torres won the 60kg (132-lb) division and Ethan Aguigui won all three matches for the 66kg gold.

Freestyle on Tuesday

Freestyle wrestling is on deck with a full slate scheduled for Tuesday afternoon at the Field House. Countries represented are host Guam, Australia, New Zealand, Palau, FSM and the Marshall Islands. Eleven referees from South Korea are also on island. They attended a two-day referee course on island before participating in the event.

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