Batirov wins Russia´s first men´s freestyle gold at Beijing Olympics

Source: Xinhua | 08-19-2008 21:07

BEIJING, Aug. 19 (Xinhua) -- Russian Mavlet Batirov won the Beijing Olympic 60kg freestyle wrestling gold medal, beating Unkainian Vasyl Fedoryshyn in the final here on Tuesday.

World champion Batirov took down European champion Fedoryshyn from the clinch in the first period and snatched 2-1 in the second of the best-of-three bout.

Batirov, the 55kg winner at Athens, earlier defeated Athens 2004 gold medallist Yandro Quintana of Cuba and 2006 world champion Seyedmorad Mohammadi of Iran to reach the final.

"This is my second Olympic gold medal," said Batirov. "I felt better in the 60kg here than when I won in Athens 2004. It felt easier. The competition was over so fast.

"I felt a certain responsibility to win a second title and it gave me pressure.

"I think I could have performed a litter better. I felt good in the final but I could have wrestled better in the first two rounds."

Batirov is Russia's fourth wrestling gold medallist in Beijing, joining three Greco-Roman wrestlers.

"When I said in Athens after winning that I dedicate my gold to my father, my mother joked that I have to dedicate my next one to her. So I dedicate this gold to her.," he said.

Kenichi Yumoto of Japan scored from the clinch and then added two low single-leg attacks to defeat Bazar Bazarguruev of Kyrgyzstan 2-0.

"I'm happy for the victory. In the morning, after I lost in the quarterfinals, the only thing in my mind was the loss," said Yumoto. "But when I remembered my family and the audience in a dream, I thought the only thing I can do is to fight until the last minutes."

Iranian Mohammadi took Zelimkhan Huseynov to his back from clinch and racked up single points on takedowns in second bout for a 2-0 victory to win Iran's first medal at Beijing Olympics.

"I'm glad I could compete in Olympic Games," said Mohammadi. "All of my opponents are very strong, so it was hard to win. I'm very proud to be the one to win the first medal for my country."

Editor:Si Qintu