Yonger Bastida
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| Personal information | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Full name | Yonger Pauli Bastida Pomares | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Born | September 19, 1999 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Country |  Cuba | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Sport | Wrestling | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight class | 285 lb (129 kg) | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Event(s) | Freestyle and Folkstyle | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| College team | Cyclones | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Coached by | Kevin Dresser | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Yonger Pauli Bastida Pomares (born September 19, 1999) is a Cuban freestyle and folkstyle wrestler who competes at heavyweight for the Iowa State Cyclones.[1][2] In freestyle, he is most notably a U23 and U20 World Championship medalist.[1] In folkstyle, Bastida is an NCAA Division I All-American out of the Iowa State University.[3]
Born in Trinidad, Cuba, Bastida became one of the most promising prospects in his native country in 2019, when he broke into the international scene.[3]
Bastida grabbed a silver medal at the Cerro Pelado International, notably defeating NCAA champion Kyven Gadson in the semifinals.[4] Afterwards, he claimed a U20 Pan American Championship title, as well as a silver medal at the U20 World Championships.[5][2] Lastly, Bastida claimed a bronze medal at the U23 World Championships.[6]
In 2020, Bastida once again grabbed a silver medal at the Cerro Pelado International, notably defeating US National champion Hayden Zillmer before falling to two-time World Champion and Olympic bronze medalist J'den Cox.[7]
Career in the United States
College
2020–2021
In November of 2020, the Iowa State University announced they had recruited Bastida as an international student and a member of the wrestling team.[8]
Bastida earned the varsity spot at 197 pounds when he defeated teammate Cody Fisher by major decision.[9] As a freshman, he would record a 4–4 record during regular season, but would not be chosen as a starter for the post-season.[10]
2021–2022
Showing notable improvements, Bastida recorded upsets over third and sixth-ranked Jacob Warner and Rocky Elam over the regular season.[11][12] After a fifth-place finish at the Big 12 Championships, Bastida became an All-American with a fifth-place finish at the NCAA National Championships, pulling off multiple upsets and closing up the season with a 25–7 record.[13]
2022–2023
Bastida earned the spot at 197 pounds by beating teammate Rowan Udell by major decision.[14] After multiple duals during the regular season, Bastida placed sixth at the Big 12 Championships, but was not able to place at the NCAA National Championships, closing up the season with a 18–9 record.[15]
2023–2024
Bastida made the move up to heavyweight, and started off the season by pinning teammate Xavier Bruening at the team's wrestle-offs.[16] During regular season, Bastida amassed an undefeated 15–0 mark in dual meets and claimed the Cliff Keen Invitational title.[17]
In the post-season, Bastida claimed the Big 12 Conference title with notable victories over All-Americans Wyatt Hendrickson and Zach Elam.[18] At the NCAA tournament, Bastida reached the quarterfinals, where he was upset by two-time All-American Lucas Davison in a rematch from the Cliff Keen Invitational, and was pushed into the consolation bracket.[19] In the blood-round, he was upset once again by Yaraslau Slavikouski, which eliminated him from the tournament, failing to place.[20]
