Featherweight, Greco-Roman (≤61 kilograms), Men

Finland’s Kustaa Pihlajamäki was European Champion from 1931-34 and runner-up in 1935 to German Sebastian Hering, but Pihlajamäki elected to compete in freestyle at Berlin, winning the gold medal in featherweight in that style. Hering led after two rounds but victories by decision in rounds three and four gave him 3 bad points, and when he lost in round five to Sweden’s Einar Karlsson, Hering was eliminated. The final round came down to Karlsson, Finland’s Aarne Reini, and Turkey’s Yaşar Erkan, who led through five rounds before losing to Reini, the 1933-34 European Champion in lightweight, in round six. Karlsson led with 3 bad points to 4 each for Reini and Erkan. Erkan drew a bye in the final round and when Reini defeated Karlsson, they both went past the 5 bad point limit, eliminating them, and giving Erkan the gold medal, with Reini taking silver and Karlsson bronze.

Pihlajamäki won the World Championships again in 1937-39. Erkan, Balkan Champion in 1933-35, also competed in freestyle in Berlin, losing to Pihlajamäki, who eliminated him.