Source: Xinhua
08-14-2008 21:41
Special Report: 2008 Beijing Olympic GamesBEIJING, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- Russia dominated the Olympic men's Greco-Roman wrestling which ended here on Thursday evening, gaining three gold medals and one silver of the most eye-catching super heavyweight competition.
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| Aslanbek Khushtov of Russia celebrates after beating Mirko Englich of Germany during the men's Greco-Roman 96kg final at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games wrestling event in Beijing, China, Aug. 14, 2008. Aslanbek Khushtov won the bout and grabbed the gold medal. (Xinhua Photo) |
Continuing the momentum of gaining two golds, in both 55kg and 60kg, on the first day of Greco-Roman wrestling, Russian Aslanbek Khushtov defeated German Mirko Englich in the men's 96kg class.
Khushtov overwhelmed his rival for the comfortable victory of two bouts after both Athens Olympic gold medalist Karam Gaber of Egypt and silver medalist Ramaz Nozadze of Georgia were knocked out early in the competition. The winning Khushtov said, "It was a long way for me to win this medal, and I think it was God's award for all my suffering and hard work."
After confessing his disappointment of being the second, Englich said, "Anyway, I felt something heavy (the silver medal) on my neck now, so I cannot complain more."
In the 120kg super heavyweight fight, defending Olympic champion Khasan Baroev of Russia was frustrated by world champion Mijain Lopez, who won Cuba its first gold medal at the Beijing Olympic Games.
Lopez said, "No one can beat Khasan except me. Both of us were in good form. Though he lost, entering the final competition was surely the great thing."
The losing Russian said, "Lopez is the best in the world. But if I had one more chance, I would have beaten him."
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| Mirko Englich (red) of Germany wrestles with Aslanbek Khushtov of Russia during the men’s Greco-Roman 96kg final at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games wrestling event in Beijing, China, Aug. 14, 2008. Aslanbek Khushtov won the bout and grabbed the gold medal. (Xinhua Photo) |
