Russia’s Buvaysa Saytiev confirmed his status as an all-time wrestling great by winning a second Olympic gold medal yesterday, eight years after his first victory in Atlanta.
The five-time world champion had a comfortable 7-0 victory over Gennadiy Laliyev of Kazakhstan in the 74kg freestyle category.
“It was a good day for me,” said the 29-year-old Chechen. “Winning an Olympic medal is a remarkable achievement and I am so pleased to have won two golds.” Saytiev’s narrow quarterfinal win earlier in the day sparked an ugly incident with angry loser Murad Gaidarov of Belarus involved in a bust-up involving spectators, police and officials. Gaidarov was infuriated when Saytiev was awarded the winning point after just six seconds of overtime after the pair tied 2-2. The Belarus wrestler refused to shake hands with the victor and had to be stopped from entering the judging area.
As he was escorted out of the arena a fracas erupted and several spectators jumped from the stands to join in. Extra police rushed to the scene and Gaidarov was hustled away by his coach and security personnel.
Saytiev denied reports that he had been involved in the melee and exchanged punches with Gaidarov. An International Wrestling Federation spokesman said that the matter would be investigated and the offenders faced fines of $10,000. Russia took their gold medal tally in wrestling to five when Khadjimourat Gatsalov won the 96kg freestyle category with a 4-1 victory over Magomed Ibragimov of Uzbekistan. There were joyous celebrations after Cuba’s Yandro Quintana beat surprise finalist Masuod Jokar of Iran for the gold in the 60kg freestyle category.
Three-time Pan-American champion Quintana was always in control against Jokar and ran out a 4-0 winner.
