Super-Heavyweight, Greco-Roman (>100 kilograms), Men

Soviet Anatoly Roshchin had won the silver medal in this class in 1964 and 1968, and was the World Champion in 1969-70, but he would be challenged by the 1971 World Champion, Bulgarian Aleksandar Tomov, who had already won the European Championship in 1972. After four rounds Roshchin and Tomov were left, along with Romanian Victor Dolipschi. Both defeated Dolipschi in the final round, and because of Roshchin’s victory over Tomov by decision in round two, the gold medal went to Roshchin. At 40-years-old he was the second oldest Olympic wrestling gold medalist, behind only 41-year-old Adolf Lindfors of Finland, who won in heavyweight Greco-Roman in 1920.

German Wilfried Dietrich also competed in this class, placing in a tie for fourth, after competing in the 1972 freestyle competition. This was his fifth Olympics and his eighth Olympic wrestling tournament. Several other wrestlers have competed in five Olympics, but Dietrich’s eight tournaments is an absolute Olympic best.