Korean wrestler Kim Hyeon-woo won the gold medal in the men's 66-kilogram Greco-Roman match Tuesday at the London Olympics.
Kim edged Tamas Lorincz, the Olympic champion in 2008, of Hungary by the period score of 2-0. Kim took the first set 1-0, and then won the second period 2-0.
Wrestling in Olympics is competed over three periods, each two minutes long, and the one who takes two periods first is declared the winner.
By the time Kim competed in the final, his right eye had virtually swollen shut. He said he could hardly see out of that eye but he tried to will himself through the trouble.
"All along, I've been wondering if I'd be good enough to win an Olympic gold medal," he said. "But my coaches kept encouraging me. They told me I would grow more confident if I started thinking positive thoughts. All the hard work has finally paid off."
Kim earned his first point when the Hungarian failed to score from an advantageous position, with the Korean on his hands and knees in 'par terre' position.
Each period is divided into a 90-second phase in which both wrestlers compete in standing, neutral positions, and then a 30-second phase where one wrestler holds the other in par terre, or ground, position trying to put on attacking moves. But when the wrestler on top fails to score, the other wrestler is awarded one point.
In the second period, Lorincz was penalized two points when the judge determined he made contact with Kim's legs. Greco-Roman wrestling prohibits tackles, trips or holds below the waist.
Kim's biggest win had been the Asian championships in 2010. He has only been a professional wrestler for two years, but won the Asian Championship on his debut. (LONDON=Yonhap)