Aug 23 (Japan Times) - Kenichiro Fumita won gold in the men's Greco-Roman 59-kg division Tuesday for Japan's first medal of the world wrestling championships in Paris, becoming the country's first male wrestler in 34 years to be crowned world champion.
In his fifth bout of the day, the Asian champion and world championships debutant won the bout with a bandage wrapped around his head after sustaining a cut in the qualifying round, edging Mirambek Ainagulov of Kazakhstan 2-1 in a hard-fought final.
"I knew he (Ainagulov) was watching out for my suplex throws. My coach and I decided to secure points by pressing forward and putting pressure on him. I was able to strategize," said Fumita.
Fumita's father Toshiro, who taught him the basics of wrestling and coached him in high school, was also in the stands watching, saying the last 30 seconds felt long but he was impressed by his son's perseverance.
Fumita, who was unable to take part in the Rio Olympics last summer, beat Kanybek Zholchubekov of Kyrgyzstan 2-1 in the semifinals to set himself up for a clash with Ainagulov in what turned out to be a rematch of the Asian Championships final held in India in May.
