Tatsuhiro Yonemitsu ended Japan's 24-year wait for an Olympic men's wrestling gold medal when he beat India's Sushil Kumar in the 66kg freestyle final on Sunday.

"I have dedicated all of my life to take the gold medal," said the 26-year-old Yonemitsu, runner-up at last year's world championships, after adding his title to the three won by Japan's female wrestlers in London.

During the final, he edged ahead in the first period before producing a huge lift and slam on Kumar in the second to all but seal his 3-1 victory.

"It happened all of a sudden, so I can't think how important it was," Yonemitsu said. "For Japanese men's wrestling, I think I have made a big contribution so I am very happy."

Beijing bronze medallist Kumar became the first Indian competitor in an individual sport to win medals at successive Olympics.

The 2010 world champion, Kumar said he'd suffered a stomach upset after his semi-final, having endured a gruelling path to the final that started with an opening bout against 2008 gold medallist Ramazan Sahin of Turkey.

"I had a stomach infection but difficulty and pain are part of the sport. I don't want to make excuses," said Kumar, who vowed to carry on to the 2016 Games in Rio.

"Where I practice in India, I had good opponents to practice with. This silver medal has been possible because of them. At the next Olympics it's going to be even better

(China Daily 08/13/2012 page10)