BEIJING — Shirvani Muradov, taking the place of one of the world’s most successful wrestlers over the last four years, has won the Olympic freestyle wrestling gold medal at 96 kilograms (211 1/2 pounds).
Muradov defeated Taimuraz Tigiyev of Kazakhstan 1-0, 1-0 for the gold medal.
The 23-year-old Muradov beat out 2004 Olympic champion and three-time reigning world champion Khadshimourad Gatsalov to make Russia’s Olympic team. Gatsalov had won every major world title since 2004.
The bronze medal winners were George Gogshelidze of Georgia — which got a gold medal from Revazi Mindorashvili at 84 kg (185 pounds) minutes before — and Khetag Gazyumov of Azerbaijan.
Daniel Cormier, the American who was third in the world last year, was hospitalized for dehydration problems from his weight cut and did not compete.
Or login with:
New Account