PATRAS (Greece), Dec 9: Vagninak Galustyan of Armenia upset two-time world champion Kim In-Sub of South Korea 8-3 to win the gold medal in the 63 kilogram category Saturday in the 46th Greco-Roman Wrestling World Championships.

Kim had won the silver medal at the Sydney Olympics but could not overcome Galustyan who was not among the favourites in the event.

The silver medal in the 63 kilogram category was taken by Israel’s Michael Beilin who needed a 3-0 overtime decision over Juan L. Maren of Cuba.

Three other finals were held Saturday with gold medals going to Sweden, Iran and Russia.

Ara Abrahamian of Sweden pinned Alexei Mishine of Russia in 5 minutes, 4 seconds to capture first place in the 76 kilogram event. Third place in the category was captured by Kim Jin Soo of South Korea who saw off Sergiy Solodkyy of the Ukraine 3-0.

Iran’s Hassan Rangraz beat Bradon Paulson of the United States 8-4 to win the gold medal in the 54kg event after taking a 5-0 lead in the first two minutes with the bronze medal going to defending world champion and Olympic silver medal winner Lazaro Rivas of Cuba who defeated Uran Kalilov of Kazakhstan 3-1.

Alexandre Bezroutchkine of Russia won the 97 kilogram division with an easy 7-0 decision over Ernesto Pena of Cuba. Third place was garnered by Turkey’s Mehmet Ozal who beat Petru Sudureak of Russia 7-5.

Final results:

54 kg: Hassan Rangraz (Iri) bt Bradon Paulson (USA) 8-4

Bronze medal: Lazaro Rivas (Cub) bt Uran Kalilov (Kaz) 3-1

63 kg: Vagninak Galustyan (Arm) bt Kim In Sub (Kor) 8-3

Bronze medal: Michael Beilin (Isr) bt Juan L. Maren (Cub) 3-0

76 kg: Ara Abrahamian (Swe) by Alexei Mishine (Rus) by fall

Bronze medal: Kim Jin-Soo (Kor) bt Sergiy Solodkyy (Ukr) 3-0

97 kg: Alexandre Bezroutchkine (Rus) bt Ernesto Pena (Cub) 7-0

Bronze medal: Mehmet Ozal (Tur) bt Petru Sudureak (Rus) 7-5.—AFP