Grapplers of Japan, Kazakhstan and South Korea carved up first three golds of Greco-Roman competitions in the Asian Games in Doha on Saturday.
Japanese wrestler Sasamoto Makoto edged out Chinese Sheng Jiang to claim the 60kg Greco-Roman title as Kazakstan's Roman Melyoshin and South Korean Han Tae Yong won the golds from 74kg and 96kg categories respectively.
Two Iranian finalists failed to prove their dominance in Asia as both Davod Chadorchi Abedinzadeh and Masoud Hashem Zadeh finished the runners-up in 74kg and 96kg.
China's dream for ending their 16-year gold drought in wrestling of Asia was broken as the 31-year-old Sasamoto rallied from one round down to win the decisive final round with a score of 4-3.
"I'm very happy that I won the gold today. I had a three-point lead and that helped me to win," said Sasamot, who finished third at the Busan Asiad four years ago.
"I feel really happy because I had lost in the World Championships in September this year, but now I win back a gold medal," he added.
Chinese coach Sheng Zetian felt sorry for missing the best chance in the past 16 years to win a gold in Asia. "In today's final he got chance to win. If he had won, it would have been the first Asiad gold for China and the first gold we won from the past 16 years in Asia."
Kazakhstan's Melyosihn overcame his first round loss to clinch the 74kg final victory over Abedinzadeh, the category favorite who won the world junior championship final in 2005.
"I am very happy as the performance is my best in Asian Games," said Melyosihn. "I thought I was not hopeful, especially after losing the first round. I had to change the tactics for second round and finally I won."
The 20-year-old Irani was angry with his silver.
"I'm very angry at losing this game because the play was not good enough. Last year I beat him, the same wrestler. I won that time but this year he watched my wresting films and he beat me."