PARIS, Aug 07, 2024 (News On Japan) - Kenichiro Fumita won the gold medal in the men's Greco-Roman 60kg wrestling category at the Paris Olympics, defeating China's Li Guo Cao, claiming Japan's first gold in Greco-Roman wrestling since 1984.
In the semifinals, Fumita triumphed over reigning world champion Zholaman Sharshenbekov (24, Kyrgyzstan) with a 4-3 victory, advancing to the finals. Reflecting on his journey, Fumita expressed, "I want to put all my emotions from the past three years into this match."
In the high-stakes final, Fumita entered the arena with his hand on his chest, letting out a loud shout. After a bow, he took to the mat, engaging in a power struggle from the start. Fumita scored the first point due to his opponent's passive approach and gained two additional points with a roll from the parterre position, leading 3-0.
In the second period, Fumita conceded one point for passivity within the first 50 seconds but maintained his defense from the parterre position. Displaying a composed and tactical performance, Fumita fended off his opponent's attacks and withstood the final onslaught, ultimately defeating Cao 4-1. This victory avenged his loss at the Tokyo Olympics and earned him the gold medal, a first in Greco-Roman wrestling for Japan in 40 years since Miyahara's 1984 win.
Source: TBS
