Wrestling champion Akhmed Tazhudinov dedicates his Paris Olympic gold to Bahrain

Russian-born athlete targets more success after topping podium in Paris

Akhmed Tazhudinov of Bahrain bites his gold medal. Reuters

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Bahraini wrestler Akhmed Tazhudinov said he was hungry for more success after adding an Olympic gold medal to his glittering array of achievements.

The Russian-born grappler is now an Asian, World and Olympic champion at just 21 years of age, with all three titles arriving since switching allegiance to the Gulf nation in 2022.

In Paris, he sealed top spot on the podium in the 97-kilogram division with victory over the more experienced Georgian competitor Givi Matcharashvili, himself a multiple medallist at the sport's major events.

An elated Tazhudinov said afterwards that he is just getting started and dedicated his success to his backers in Bahrain.

“I'm on top of the world right now. Winning an Olympic medal is something I've worked towards my entire life. It’s an incredible feeling to see all the hard work and sacrifice pay off," Tazhudinov told The National.

“It hasn't been easy, but I never lost sight of my goal. I had a great team behind me, and the support from His Highness Sheikh Khaled and the whole of Bahrain has been amazing. This medal is for all of us. This is just the start. I'm hungry for more. I can't wait to see what I can achieve next."

Tazhudinov's triumph came hot on the heels of another success for Team Bahrain after Gor Minasyan won a bronze medal in the men's 102kg weightlifting. Minasyan finished behind silver medallist Varazdat Lalayan of Armenia and champion Lasha Talakhadze of Georgia late on Saturday night in Paris.

Winfred Yavi also claimed gold in the women's 3,000m steeplechase while Salwa Eid Naser took silver in the 400m in what has been a successful Games for Bahraini athletes.

Meanwhile, a thrilling women's marathon culminated in Sifan Hassan of the Netherlands taking the gold in a sprint finish ahead of Tigst Assefa of Ethiopia.

Hassan had already claimed bronze in both the 5,000m and 10,000m in Paris, but remarkably still had plenty left in the tank to win the marathon in an Olympic record time of 2:22:55.

Bahrain's Eunice Chumba placed the highest of the Arab runners in 10th, crossing the line in 2:26:10, followed 20 seconds later by Morocco's Fatima Ezzahra Gardadi in 11th.

Hassan fell to the ground on the blue carpet in front of the golden dome of the Invalides memorial complex in the heart of Paris before grabbing a Dutch flag to celebrate an extraordinary achievement.

"It was not easy," said Hassan, 31. "It was so hot, but I was feeling OK. I've never pushed myself through to the finish line as I did today.

"Every moment in the race I was regretting that I ran the 5,000m and 10,000m. I was telling myself if I hadn't done that, I would feel great today.

"From the beginning to the end, it was so hard. Every step of the way. I was thinking, 'Why did I do that? What is wrong with me?'."