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South Korea, China sweep wrestling golds on Sunday
11/12/2006 10:44

Jiao Huafeng ended China's 16-year gold drought in Asia wrestling to claim the Greco-Roman 55kg title, as South Koreans swept the other three titles at the 15th Asian Games here on Sunday.

Kim Gwang Seok won the Greco-Roman 120kg final to finish a three-gold triumph for South Korea after his teammates Kim Min Chui and Kim Jung Sub collected one each from 66kg and 84kg classes respectively.

The 25-year-old Jiao Huafeng beat Amiri Jasem from Iran in the final by a one-point advantage as he rallied from one round down (2-3) to win the decisive round with a score of 5-3.

"I'm really happy to win a gold here. Ten years, I strive after it for ten years. It's my best result so far and first gold in Asia," said Jiao, who beat Kazakstan's Usupjanov Rinat 3-1 to reach the final this morning.

Sheng Zetian, head coach of Chinese wrestling team, said it's a gold they dreamed of for 16 years.

"In the Greco-Roman lightweight categories like 55kg, Asian level stands for the world level. So it's really hard to win a gold here," said Sheng. "The gold sets up more confidence for Chinese wrestlers before they run to a historical Olympic gold in Greco-Roman event."

Kim Gwang Seok beat Ghesmatiazar Sharbaiani Mehdi of Iran to win the 120kg final after the bronze medals went to Liu Deli of China and Ibragimov Nurbek of Kazakstan.

South Korean Kim Jung Sub overpowered Abutabeekh yahia of Jordan to win the 84kg final after Kim Min Chui beat Ruzikulov Rawshan of Uzbekistan to win the gold medal of 66kg event.



Xinhua News