Russian wrestler Zavur Uguev won the gold medal in the men’s freestyle 57 kilograms division at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, overcoming India’s Ravi Kumar in the final at the Makuhari Messe Hall.

He dominated the first period against his opponent, leading 4-2 at the interval, and went on to notch an eventual 7-4 victory.

The 26-year-old saw off the United States’ Thomas Patrick Gilman in his first fight, before edging past Uzbek Gulomjon Abdullaev in the quarter-final.

The semi-final then saw him dominate Iran’s Reza Atrinagharchi in an eventual 8-3 win.

Uguev was appearing at his first Olympic Games in the Japanese capital, but arrived as a two-time and reigning world champion after claiming gold at Budapest in 2018 and Nur-Sultan in 2019. in the men’s freestyle 57kg category.

He also secured a bronze medal at the European Games in Minsk in 2019.

Zavur Uguev, in blue, triumphed 7-4 against India's Ravi Kumar in the final bout ©Getty Images
Zavur Uguev, in blue, triumphed 7-4 against India's Ravi Kumar in the final bout ©Getty Images

The wrestler from the city of Khasavyurt in Dagestan is also a four-time Russian champion in his division.

Uguev has now medalled at his last 16 tournaments, including six consecutive golds starting from the World Championships in 2019.

He is undefeated since his semi-final loss to eventual winner Mahir Amiraslanov of Azerbaijan at the European Games.

Uguev was awarded the title of Honoured Master of Sport in the Russian Federation in December 2019.

His wrestling gold followed the success of his compatriot Musa Evloev in the men's Greco-Roman 87kg category.