Denis Tsargush secured his third world title as compatriots Soslan Ramonov and Abdusalam Gadisov topped the podium for the first time in their careers on a dominant day for Russia.

Tsargush regained the 74 kilogram title he last won in 2011 with a classy display against Japan's Sohsuke Takatani countering any move his opponent tried to emerge an 8-2 victor.

Bronze medals went the way of Cuba and the United States in the form of Livan Lopez and reigning Olympic champion Jordan Burroughs, who lost out to Tsargush in the semi-finals.

"The last years were complicated for me because I was always finishing in second and third place," said Tsargush, who defeated the American 9-2.

"I didn't make the Russian team and that meant I didn't have another chance to wrestle Burroughs.

"Finally I have found a way to win at home and against [Burroughs].

"I made some mistakes against Burroughs, but found some ways to get to his legs.

"My timing was good today."

Denis Tsargush celebrates after defeating Olympic champion Jordan Burroughs en route to winning the world title ©United World Wrestling




Ramanov won his maiden World Championship crown by securing a fall on Iran's Asian champion Sayed Ahmad Mohamaddi in the 65kg decider.

Moldovan Mihail Sava and Mandakhnaran Ganzorig of Mongolia were the bronze medal winners.

European champion Gadisov took two penalty points and gave one back in a hard-fought affair for a 2-1 win over Azerbaijan's Khetag Gazumov in the final of the 97kg category.

Turk Samil Erdogan impressed with a 10-0 win over Javier Cortina of Cuba, while the other bronze went the way of Ukrainian Valerii Andriitsev.

Azerbaijan's Haji Aliyev broke the Russian monopoly on gold by taking the 61kg title with an entertaining 12-7 victory over Iran's Masoud Mahmoud Esmaeilpoorjouybari.

"I wanted this world title very much," said a delighted Aliyev.

"It meant everything to me.

"I know the Iranian very well and we always have close matches, so to score that many points was surprising and rewarding."

Bronze medals were taken home by Mongolian Nyam-Ochir Enkhsaikhan and Yowlys Bonne of Cuba.

But Aliyev's efforts were not enough to help Azerbaijan break into the top three in the team standings as they finished behind winners Russia, second placed Iran and third placed Turkey.

Contact the writer of this story at [email protected]


Related Stories
September 2014: Russia open up with two golds on first day of Wrestling World Championships