WRESTLING – BAHRAIN’S superstar grappler Akhmed Tazhudinov entered Olympic immortality yesterday after winning gold in the men’s freestyle wrestling 97kg competition at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
The 21-year-old claimed his historic Olympic crown with a devastating win by pin against Givi Matcharashvili of Georgia, just about 90 seconds into the final.
His decisive move came on a quick counter-attack after Matcharashvili locked Tazhudinov’s arm and attempted a throw. But the reigning world champion was able to free his arm and get on top of his stunned rival, pinning the Georgian flat on the mat.
Tazhudinov was declared the victor and he raised his arms as his coach Shamil Omarov ran to him in celebration. Matcharashvili was visibly shocked as he stayed kneeling motionless for several moments.
Tazhudinov claimed Team Bahrain’s second gold and fourth medal overall in the Paris 2024 Olympics. His medal was also the fourth gold in the history of the Olympics for the kingdom, the first gold outside of athletics, as well as Bahrain’s first gold won in a men’s event.
“I had a year of training, and I was very focused,” Tazhudinov was quoted as saying after his fight. “Without my coaches and everyone else supporting me, I wouldn’t be here.”
Tazhudinov’s coach Omarov is a renowned figure in wrestling. He is also the coach of Abdulrashid Sadulaev – a two-time Olympic gold-medallist, five-time world champion, and four-time European champion nicknamed the “Russian Tank”, who also happens to be Tazhudinov’s mentor.
Yesterday’s final was Tazhudinov’s lone appearance on the mat yesterday at Champs-de-Mars Arena, and it followed his three victories on Saturday en route to the medal round. He first beat Amirali Azarpira of Iran in the round of 16, and then made easy work of Alisher Yergali of Kazakhstan in the last eight. Tazhudinov then ousted American Kyle Snyder in the semi-finals, setting up his meeting with Matcharashvili.
patrick@gdnmedia.bh
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