Wrestling coaches strip to undies to protest Rio judging

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil – Russia’s Soslan Ramonov won the men’s freestyle wrestling 65kg gold on Sunday, August 21 in Rio, where wild scenes erupted as Mongolian coaches protested a decision against their wrestler Ganzorig Mandakhnaran in a bronze medal match.

Ramonov dominated Azerbaijan’s Toghrul Asgarov in the gold medal match, needing barely more than two minutes to subdue his foe.

Bronze went to Italian Frank Chamizo Marquez and Ikhtiyor Navruzov, an Uzbek whose victory was hotly protested by Mandakhnaran’s coaches when their man was penalized a crucial a point for taunting and running away.

Both coaches tore off their clothes in protest, one removing his shirt and the other stripping down to his underwear.

Both were eventually escorted out by security.

“This was a protest. There was a problem with the refereeing,” said Mongolia coach Byambarenchin Bayaraa.

“Ganzorig won 7-6 and he lost because of this decision. This is the only time in history of wrestling with point penalty.

“The referees were not good. They only supported the Uzbek. After the challenge for five seconds we win, and we are very happy for this medal.

“Three million people in Mongolian waited for this bronze medal and now we have no medal.

“A 100% of the stadium supported us.” – Rappler.com