ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia – Pennsylvania Regional Training Center athletes faced some of the world's top freestyle wrestlers at the Ulaanbaatar Open, a United World Wrestling Ranking Series event held June 4-7 in Mongolia.

Representing Puerto Rico at 57 kg, Darian Cruz overcame significant travel challenges just to reach the competition. Following more than 72 hours of travel due to multiple flight delays, Cruz arrived in Ulaanbaatar less than 12 hours before weigh-ins. Despite the difficult circumstances, Cruz battled Mongolia's Davaabandi Munkh Erdene in a tightly contested opening-round match before falling by a narrow 2-1 margin.

Munkh Erdene has emerged as one of Mongolia's top freestyle wrestlers and has earned multiple international medals while competing regularly on the United World Wrestling circuit.

At 65 kg, CJ Composto recorded the first Senior-level international victory of his career, dominating Mongolia's Zeneemeder Byambasuren by 10-0 technical fall.

The victory came against a wrestler competing on home soil who entered the tournament after placing fifth at the 2026 Asian Championships. Composto's win advanced him into a matchup with Bulgaria's Shamil Mamedov, a 2023 Senior World bronze medalist and one of the most accomplished wrestlers in the bracket. Mamedov secured a 10-0 victory before Composto concluded the tournament against India's Kumar Mohit, falling by pin.

Making both his first international trip and Senior-level international debut, Cross Wasilewski drew one of the toughest paths in the tournament at 70 kg.

Wasilewski opened against Mongolia's Tulga Tumur Ochir, a two-time World medalist and two-time Olympian. The young American pushed the veteran star throughout the match before dropping a narrow 5-4 decision.

In his second bout, Wasilewski faced India's Abhimanyou, the reigning 2026 Asian Champion at 70 kg. Wasilewski again competed hard against elite opposition before falling 5-2.

While the results did not produce a podium finish, the event provided valuable international experience against some of the world's best wrestlers. Composto earned his first Senior-level international victory, Cruz competed through extraordinary travel adversity, and Wasilewski gained experience against a World medalist, Olympian, and reigning continental champion in his first competition outside the United States.

The Ulaanbaatar Open is one of United World Wrestling's premier Ranking Series events, annually attracting many of the top Senior-level wrestlers from around the globe.