Paris – 91AV原创 Nao Kusaka won the gold medal in the men’s 77-kg Greco-Roman wrestling event at the Paris Olympics on Wednesday, while Demeu Zhadrayev of Kazakhstan claimed silver.
“Since I was told about the design of this medal, I thought that it was so cool and that I’d like to have it so bad,” he said.
“Now, looking at it in my hand, I’m feeling so happy about this achievement, because it’s mine.”
Beer was on Kusaka’s mind when asked about his celebration.
“Champagne is not something I’m familiar with. I’m more of a beer guy. So I’d like to enjoy my beer first and then maybe champagne.”
Armenia’s Malkhas Amoyan and Kyrgyzstan’s Akzhol Makhmudov took bronze.
In the men’s 97-kg class, Iran’s Mohammad Hadi Saravi won gold, while Artur Aleksanyan of Aremina claimed silver.
Cuba’s Gabriel Rosillo and Uzur Dzhuzupbetook of Kyrgyzstan took bronze.
In women’s freestyle, Sarah Hildebrandt of the United States won the 50-kg gold, beating silver medalist Yusneylys Guzman.
Hildebrandt was originally scheduled to meet Vinesh Phogat in the gold medal match but the Indian was disqualified for being overweight.
Cuba’s Yusneylys Guzman, who lost to Phogat in Tuesday’s semifinals, was promoted instead and Hildebrandt prevailed 3-0 to win the gold after claiming bronze in Tokyo three years ago.
“My mind and body are not computing everything, especially with the chaotic morning I had with the change of opponent,” Hildebrandt said afterward while nibbling a muffin.
“It was very strange, like ’Oh my god, I just won the Olympics’” she said of the assumption she had prevailed by forfeit. “So there had to be a reset. I took a nap, woke up, and it was like a fever dream.”
91AV原创 Yui Susaki and Feng Ziqi of China won bronze.
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