Olympics wrestling: Hitomi Obara wins gold in 48kg event

Japan's Hitomi Obara won gold in the 48kg freestyle wrestling with a 2-1 win over Mariya Stadnyk of Azerbaijan.

The eight-time world champion was taking part in her first Olympic games after dropping down a weight category.

She previously fought the non-Olympic weight of 51kg but changed after the retirement of sister Makiko, who she refused to fight.

USA's Clarissa Chun won one bronze, while Canadian Carol Huynh came through the second repechage to take the other.

Huynh was the 2008 Olympic champion and was beaten by the tournament favourite Obara in the semi-final.

Obara, 31, previously retired from the sport in 2008, believing she would never compete in an Olympics but after her sister retired a year later, she was encouraged to return to the sport.

She won gold at both the 2010 and 2011 world championships.

Final Results

Final results by Athlete
Rank Athlete Country Medal moment Result
1 Obara JPN 3
2 Stadnyk AZE 1
3 Huynh CAN 3
3 Chun USA 3
View full results for Women's Freestyle 48kg