Kenichiro Fumita won gold in the men's Greco-Roman 59-kg division Tuesday for Japan's first medal of the world wrestling championships in Paris, becoming the country's first male wrestler in 34 years to be crowned world champion.
In his fifth bout of the day, the Asian champion and world championships debutant won the bout with a bandage wrapped around his head after sustaining a cut in the qualifying round, edging Mirambek Ainagulov of Kazakhstan 2-1 in a hard-fought final.
"I knew he (Ainagulov) was watching out for my suplex throws. My coach and I decided to secure points by pressing forward and putting pressure on him. I was able to strategize," said Fumita.