The Russian wrestling team has started well at the 2012 European Wrestling Championships, winning gold in two of the first three events.
Russia is the clear favorite in wrestling for the London Olympics and won six of 16 gold medals in wrestling in Beijing in 2008.
Alan Gogaev won the men’s 66 kilogram freestyle class, defeating Bulgaria’s Leonid Bazan in the final on Tuesday, while Abdusalam Gadisov took gold in the 96 kilogram freestyle division, defeating Valery Andriitsev in the final.
The third gold medal on the opening day came in the women’s 48 kilogram class, where Ukraine’s Lyudmyla Balushka won, with Russian wrestler Marina Vilmova taking bronze.
Russia has a chance of further medals in Wednesday’s men’s freestyle events, with Djamal Otursultanov competing in the 55 kilogram division, and Rasul Murtazaliev in the 60 kilogram class.
The championships run through March 11.
