Manuchar Kvirkvelia of Georgia grabbed the country’s first gold of these Olympics in the Men’s Greco-Roman 74 kilogram Wrestling final, after defeating Chang Yongxiang of China. Prior to this tournament, Kvirkvelia’s best result was the gold medal the 2007 European Championship. On the way to finals, he defeated Christophe Guénot of France, Konstantin Schneider of Germany and Péter Bácsi of Hungary. Likewise, Chang, the 24-year-old, conquered Yavor Yanakiev of Bulgaria, Sixto Barrera of Peru and Aleh Mikhalovich of Belarus.

 

With only one Asian championship to his name, Chang entered the final as the second best. Both wrestlers started conservatively, and none of them scored in the first minute. Kvirkvelia then showed his dominance and finished the first period 6-0. The second period began with another scoreless first minute. Chang failed once more. Kvirkvelia won the period 3-0 and subsequently, was declared the winner. The credible performance of Kvirkvelia brought Georgia its first gold medal in Beijing. Though crushed, Chang still earned the first ever Men’s Wrestling Olympic medal for his country.