LIMA, PERU--- Incoming California Baptist University wrestling freshman Caio Aron took home the first gold medal for Brazil and CBU in U20 Pan American Championships history this weekend, winning four straight matches in Lima, Peru, to earn the impressive honor.

Aron came into the tournament on a mission after finishing third last year and would look to make history this time around. He wrestled at 57KG during his gold medal run to claim the top spot on the podium and help Brazil's final standing on the world stage. Aron's gold medal was the only one for Brazil during the tournament and would help them finish with the overall bronze behind only the USA and Canada, with the U.S. dominating the games with 230 total points and eight of the ten gold medals.

Aron began in the qualification round with an 8-6 victory over Puerto Rico's Ethan Manuel Rivera, whom he lost to in the semifinals a year ago, before pinning Canada's Javier Charriez in 27 seconds in the quarterfinals. The semifinal match was hotly contested, and Aron would walk away with an 8-4 win over Missouri commit #3 Antonio Mills III of the USA to earn his way to the championship match. Waiting for him in the championships match was Jamaica's Irie Jackson, who was ranked #7 in the world leading into the match. Aron would dominate the match and come away with the 13-2 victory and the first Brazilian freestyle PanAm gold medalist in history.

The win qualifies Aron for the 2025 U20 World Championships in Somakov, Bulgaria, in August.