Reineri Andreu
Cuban wrestler (born 1998)
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Reineri Andreu Ortega (born 1 April 1998) is a Cuban freestyle wrestler. He is a two-time U23 World Champion, two-time Pan American gold medalist and Central American and Caribbean Games gold medalist.[1]
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Nationality |  Cuba |
| Born | Reineri Andreu Ortega 1 April 1998 |
| Height | 1.61 m (5 ft 3 in) |
| Weight | 62 kg (137 lb) |
| Sport | |
| Country | Cuba |
| Sport | Amateur wrestling |
Weight class | 57 kg |
Event | Freestyle |
| University team | Iowa State University |
| Club | Cyclone RTC |
Medal record | |
After entering the United States as a refugee in 2022 and enrolling at Iowa State University, he unsuccessfully sued the NCAA for ruling him ineligible to compete for the school due to his prior education in Cuba.[2]
Career
In 2017, at the Pan American Wrestling Championships held in Lauro de Freitas, Brazil, he won one of the bronze medals in the 57 kg event.[3] At the 2017 World U23 Wrestling Championship held in Bydgoszcz, Poland, he won the gold medal in the 57 kg event.[4]
In 2018, he won the gold medal in the 57 kg event at the Pan American Wrestling Championships held in Lima, Peru. At the 2018 Central American and Caribbean Games held in Barranquilla, Colombia, he won the gold medal in the men's 57 kg event.[5]
In March 2020, he won the gold medal in the 57 kg event at the 2020 Pan American Wrestling Championships held in Ottawa, Canada.[6] He also competed in the 2020 Pan American Wrestling Olympic Qualification Tournament, also held in Ottawa, Canada, without qualifying for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan.[7] He lost his first match against Thomas Gilman of the United States which meant that he could no longer become one of the top two wrestlers in his event and qualify for the Olympics.
He lost his bronze medal match in the 57 kg event at the 2022 World Wrestling Championships held in Belgrade, Serbia.[8]
In 2023, Andreu Ortega, moved to Ames, Iowa to join Cyclone RTC as a resident athlete.[9]
He challenged Austin DeSanto for the RAF Bantamweight Championship at RAF 10 on June 13, 2026, losing by decision.[10]
Achievements
| Year | Tournament | Location | Result | Event |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | Pan American Wrestling Championships | Lauro de Freitas, Brazil | 3rd | Freestyle 57 kg |
| 2018 | Pan American Wrestling Championships | Lima, Peru | 1st | Freestyle 57 kg |
| Central American and Caribbean Games | Barranquilla, Colombia | 1st | Freestyle 57 kg | |
| 2019 | Pan American Wrestling Championships | Buenos Aires, Argentina | 3rd | Freestyle 57 kg |
| Pan American Games | Lima, Peru | 3rd | Freestyle 57 kg | |
| 2020 | Pan American Wrestling Championships | Ottawa, Canada | 1st | Freestyle 57 kg |
