#ThrowBackThursday

#TBT​ Slay Stuns Eventual Three-Time Olympic Champ Saitiev

Wednesday, February 3, 2021 - 21:34 By Eric Olanowski

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Brandon SLAY ?? scored one of the biggest upsets in Olympic history after stunning eventual three-time Olympic gold medalist and six-time world champion, Buvaisar SAITIEV ??, 4-3, en route to the 76kg gold medal at the ’00 Olympic Games in Sydney, Australia.

Coming into the ’00 Olympic Games, Saitiev was arguably the best freestyle wrestler in the world. He was the defending Olympic gold medalist and a three-time world champion. Saitiev entered the Sydney Games riding a perfect 19-0 combined record in world championship and Olympic action.

Wrestling Playlist: Rio 2016 Olympics Freestyle Rewind

Monday, January 26, 2026 - 18:34 By United World Wrestling Press

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RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil (January 26) -- A decade since the Rio 2016 Olympics, UWW brings you the epic throwback to the finals of Freestyle. Six gold medals were won in the Brazilian city 10 years ago.

At 57kg, Vladimir KHINCHEGASHVILI (GEO) defeated Rei HIGUCHI (JPN) in a close final while Soslan RAMANOV (RUS) dominated his final against Togrul ASGAROV (AZE) at 65kg.

Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) won the epic final at 74kg against Aniuar GEDUEV (RUS) by one point. Abdulrashid SADULAEV (UWW) won his first Olympic gold in 2016 by beating Selim YASAR (TUR) at 86kg.

Kyle SNYDER (USA) became the youngest American wrestler then to win an Olympic gold as he defeated Khetag GOZIUMOV (AZE) in the 97kg final. At 125kg, Taha AKGUL (TUR) held on for a win against Khomel GHASEMI (IRI).

WATCH THE FULL FINAL MATCHES OF 2016 RIO OLYMPICS HERE