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Russian Greco-Roman wrestler Vlasov wins Olympic gold medal

“Frankly speaking, it is like a dream, I would not like to wake up, because I do not believe in it yet,” Vlasov exclaimed in the mixed zone

Photo EPA/ITAR-TASS

Photo EPA/ITAR-TASS

LONDON, August 6 (Itar-Tass) —— Russian Greco-Roman wrestler Roman Vlasov did not realize that he won the Olympic gold medal yet. “But I went to London only to win the gold medal,” the wrestler said after an awarding ceremony, where he was awarded with the Olympic gold medal on Sunday. In the 74kg gold medal final the Russian wrestler beat Arsen Julfalakyan from Armenia.

“I will realize it later. Frankly speaking, it is like a dream, I would not like to wake up, because I do not believe in it yet,” Vlasov exclaimed in the mixed zone.

“I went to London to win. It seems to me that any athlete from Russia goes to the Olympics to win the gold medal. I have been going to this victory for a long time, I have trained since six years and now this day has come. I just have unbelievable feelings, I am feeling some warmness in the heart, I realize that I really did something. After the final I was looking at the coaches, how they were rejoicing, I was looking at the spectators and realized that I won and the fight is over,” he went on to say.

To the question what fight was the most difficult for him, Roman replied, “The first fight was the most difficult one against Danish wrestler Mark Overgaard Madsen, because I was afraid to let the team down. I fell asleep only about five hours in the morning, because I got too much nervous. Therefore, the fight turned out to be quite hard. But I succeeded to cope with the emotions and win. Then the self-confidence came that everything will be OK.”

Vlasov also noted that he took the first fight in a very responsible way, because he had already fought with that wrestler. “Madsen is a good wrestler, as he was among the medallists four times at the world championships. This year we were fighting for the third time, and it was a very hard fight again. When I came on the mat, I did not underestimate him and realized well with whom I am fighting,” the Olympic champion said.

Despite the full collection of the gold medals, the 21-year-old Russian wrestler, the winner of European and world championships, and the Olympic Games now, does not intend to stop at these victories. “I will keep training and get ready for the next Olympic Games. Certainly, I should take an interval, because the last three years were very difficult. The main starts took place almost each 2-3 months. I am very tired, I want to take some rest, forget about wrestling, probably, I will play football a little bit to restore my forces. And then wrestling and training again,” Vlasov underlined.

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