Russian wrestler Roman Vlasov has won his second Olympic gold medal, defeating Mark Madsen of Denmark in the final round of the 75kg Greco-Roman wrestling tournament.
Starting on top in the par terre position, Vlasov was able to life Madsen up and slam him to the ground during the first period of their Gold Medal Match to score four points. He picked up another point in the next period after Madsen’s corner unsuccessfully challenged a call. After giving up a point for passivity late in the match, Vlasov took a 5-1 victory.
It was a gritty effort for Vlasov, who briefly passed out from a chokehold during his semifinal match and could be seen bleeding from a cut above his left eye at various points throughout the day.
At the London Games, Vlasov earned gold in the comparable 74kg division. He also won a world title in 2015 and entered Rio ranked as the world No. 1 in the 75kg weight class.
By making it to the final round, Madsen, 31, secured Denmark’s first medal in wrestling since 1948. Had Madsen not earned silver, the Danes would have had to wait at least four more years, as the three-time Olympian is the country’s only wrestler competing at the Olympics this year.
75kg Greco-Roman wrestling results
Gold: Roman Vlasov (RUS)
Silver: Mark Madsen (DEN)
Bronze: Kim Hyeon-woo (KOR)
Bronze: Saeid Abdvali (IRI)