Saytiev takes gold for Russia

By Douglas Hamilton

BEIJING (Reuters) - Russia's Buvaysa Saytiev won his third freestyle wrestling gold medal at his fourth Olympics on Wednesday.

A six-time world champion, the rangy 33-year-old's victory over Soslan Tigiev of Uzbekistan in the 74kg freestyle event secured his place in the wrestling pantheon. Murad Gaidarov of Belarus and Kiril Terziev of Bulgaria won bronze.

The lean Saytiev advanced throughout his matches with ease. He wound himself around Cuban Ivan Fundora like a python, grabbing his ankles and turning him upside down on his head.

Russian wrestling team officials were on hand in strength to cheer him on in the final and to witness his expected victory.

But Tigiev, displaying great upper body strength, took the first period by one point to nil and there was apprehension on the Russia bench with the second period tied, until Saytiev slipped out of Tigiev's grip and ended the contest with the Belarussian pinned in a leg-hold.

"The way I fought was a pass mark, if you like. Which in the Russian school system is not really all that wonderful. It's a pass but it's barely a pass," said Saytiev modestly of his first period loss.

"Nonetheless even though I fought, shall we say, in a manner which was not of the top quality, my character and my psychological makeup brought me through."

Russian all-time heavyweight great Aleksandr Karelin, a three time Olympic gold wrestler who looks hewn from rock, applauded Saytiev from the stands as he first ran over to his home country fans to be embraced, and then loped around the stadium with the Russian flag over his shoulders and bowed to the Russian bench.

A native of the north Caucasus Republic of Dagestan, Saytiev looks nothing like the stereotype of the heavy-shouldered wrestler. But he has tremendous skill and great strength.

Saytiev won his first Olympic medal in Atlanta in 1996 at the age of 21. He failed to make the medals four years later in Sydney, after a shock loss in qualifying bouts to a virtually unknown American Brandon Slay.

Slay went on to win the gold after the man he lost to in the final was banned for doping. But there was a consolation prize for Saytiev: his younger brother Adam won a wrestling gold in the 85kg class at the Sydney Games.

By Athens 2004, Saytiev was back on top, winning his second gold eight years after the first and staking a claim to a permanent place in the ranks of the all-time wrestling greats.

Saytiev, his black beard streaked with grey, said it was unlikely he would wrestle at the London Olympic Games in 2012.

(Editing by Alison Williams)