Azerbaijan Wins Olympic Wrestling Gold

Sharif Sharifov of Azerbaijan won the Olympic wrestling gold medal in men's 84-kilogram freestyle, beating Jaime Yusept Espinal of Puerto Rico 6-1, 2-0 Saturday.

Sharifov, the defending world champion, beat American Jake Herbert in a quarterfinal that led to a post-match dispute between U.S. coach, Zeke Jones, and officials.

Sharifov bounced back with wins over three-time Asian champion Ehsan Naser Lashgari in the semifinals and Espinal in the final.

Espinal delivered just the second silver medal in his country's Olympic history — and the first medal of any kind by a Puerto Rican wrestler.

Toghrul Asgarov of Azerbaijan won the 60-kilogram gold earlier Saturday.

Source: The Associated Press