Saytiev wrestles to fourth Games gold

Beijing: Russia's Buvaysa Saytiev won his third freestyle wrestling gold medal at his fourth Olympics on Wednesday.

A six-time world champion, the rangy 33-year-old's victory over Soslan Tigiev of Uzbekistan in the 74kg freestyle event secured his place in the wrestling pantheon. Murad Gaidarov of Belarus and Kiril Terziev of Bulgaria won bronze.

The lean Saytiev advanced throughout his matches with ease. He wound himself around Cuban Ivan Fundora like a python, grabbing his ankles and turning him upside down on his head.

Russian wrestling team officials were on hand in strength to cheer him on in the final and to witness his expected victory.

Apprehension

But Tigiev, displaying great upper body strength, took the first period by one point to nil and there was apprehension on the Russia bench with the second period tied, until Saytiev slipped out of Tigiev's grip and ended the contest with the Belarussian pinned in a leg-hold.

"The way I fought was a pass mark, if you like. Which in the Russian school system is not really all that wonderful. It's a pass but it's barely a pass," said Saytiev modestly.

"Nonetheless even though I fought, shall we say, in a manner which was not of the top quality, my character and my psychological makeup brought me through."