(OCT 21) PUEBLA, Mexico — Team USA locked in at least two more medals at the 2026 Pan American Championships, closing out day three of competition with dominant, statement-making quarterfinal victories from Alyssa Mendoza and Simona Winkler.

Mendoza fought very impressively in the women’s 57-kilogram division, defeating Mexico’s Guadalupe Torres in a flawless 5-0 unanimous decision. Controlling the pace from the opening bell, Mendoza swept all three rounds with identical 10-9 scores across the board. The victory safely punches her ticket to the semifinals, where she is scheduled to return to the ring on Friday, October 23.

In the women's 70-kilogram bracket, Winkler showcased incredible resilience to force a dramatic second-round stoppage against Puerto Rico’s Stephanie Pineiro.

After dropping a tough opening frame 4-1, Winkler completely flipped the script in the second round. Unleashing a ferocious offensive barrage, she forced the referee to administer three separate eight-counts to Pineiro before the bout was officially halted. Winkler’s thrilling comeback victory moves her into the semifinals on Thursday, October 22.

While Mendoza and Winkler celebrated podium-securing wins, two other American fighters faced razor-thin defeats. In the men’s 65-kilogram division, Marcus Luther nearly orchestrated a massive comeback against Cuba’s Luis Vinet.

After losing the first round 5-0, Luther rallied fiercely in the second, winning it 4-1 and dropping Vinet for an eight-count. However, a tight 3-2 final round went to Vinet, handing him the narrow 3-2 overall decision. In the women’s 65-kilogram class, Marie Rosendo also fought valiantly but ultimately fell in a 4-1 decision to Mexico's Darianne Hernandez.
 

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