RIO DE JANEIRO (August 16) – Two-time world champion Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) and Migran ARUTYUNYAN (ARM) gave Armenia a pair in the gold medal finals Tuesday, the third and final day of Greco-Roman wrestling events at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
Aleksanyan notched a pair of technical falls to advance to the 98kg final at Carioca Arena 2 while Arutyunyan knocked off a pair of world champions – RYU Han-Soo (KOR) and Rasul CHUNAYEV (AZE) – on his way to the 66kg gold medal match.
Meanwhile, Pan American powerhouse Yasmany LUGO CABRERA (CUB) fashioned a 4-0 decision over London 2012 gold medalist Ghasem REZAEI (IRI) in the quarterfinals and gave Cuba an entry in the gold medal finals for a third night in a row.
In another minor upset at 98kg, 2014 world bronze medalist Cenk ILDEM (TUR) edged European Games gold medalist Islam MAGOMEDOV (RUS), 1-1, on last-point criteria in the quarterfinals.
After his loss in the semifinals to Aleksanyan in the semifinals, Ildem wrestles in the bronze medal matches in the evening.
At 66kg, 2014 world champion Davor STEFANEK (SRB) utilized a tight front headlock and dump to up-end reigning world champion Frank STAEBLER (GER), 6-2, in the quarterfinals.
Stefanek came with the front headlock again in the semifinals to crank over 2014 junior world champion Shmagi BOLVADZE (GEO) for the fall at 1:26.
In other notable bouts, Ryu defeated London 2012 silver medalist Tamas LORINCZ (HUN), 4-2, in the round of 16 with the help of a two-point penalty against Lorincz for grabbing the throat.
Chunayev won, 3-2, over Beijing 2008 gold medalist Islambek ALBIEV (RUS) with the help of a two-point leg penalty.
Greco-Roman 66kg (18 entries)
Gold Medal Final
Davor STEFANEK v Migran ARUTYUNYAN (ARM)
Bronze Medal Finals
Winner Rp A v Shmagi BOLKVADZE (GEO)
Winner Rp B v Rasul CHUNAYEV (AZE)
Semifinals
Davor STEFANEK df. Shmagi BOLKVADZE (GEO) by Fall, 1:26 (7-0)
Migran ARUTYUNYAN (ARM) df. Rasul CHUNAYEV (AZE), 4-1
Repechage
Rp A – Tomohiro INOUE (JPN) v Frank STAEBLER (GER)
Rp B – Adham KAHK (EGY) v RYU Han-Soo (KOR)
Greco-Roman 98kg (19 entries)
Gold Medal Final
Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) v Yasmany LUGO CABRERA (CUB)
Bronze Medal Finals
Winner Rp A v Cenk ILDEM (TUR)
Winner Rp B v Fredrik SCHOEN (SWE)
Semifinals
Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) df. Cenk ILDEM (TUR) by TF, 9-0, 2:33
Yasmany LUGO CABRERA (CUB) df. Fredrik SCHOEN (SWE), 2-0
Repechage
Rp A – Daigoro TIMONCINI (ITA) v Alin ALEXUC-CIURARIU (ROU)
Rp B – XIAO Di (CHN) v Ghasem REZAEI (IRI)
