Judoist from Adygea wins first Russian gold medal at 2012 Olympics

Arsen Galstyan, a judo wrestler from the Republic of Adygea, was the first of the Russian national team to win a medal at the 30^th Olympic Games in London – a Gold Medal in judo.

Galstyan reached the semi-final in the 60 kg weight category by defeating Gwang-Hyeon Choi of South Korea.

The wrestlers failed to conduct any effective action; and the referees awarded the victory to Galstyan for his more active wrestling, the "All Sports" writes.

To get to the final, Arsen Galstyan defeated one of the tournament favourites – Rishod Sobirov from Uzbekistan; and in the final fight in the weight category of 60 kg he met a Japanese Hiroaki Hiraoka, the RIA "Novosti" reports.

The Japanese began very actively, but after forty seconds a Galstyan's attack brought him a clear victory – he won by Ippon in the first minute. Bronze Medals were given to Rishod Sobirov and Brazilian Felipe Kitadai.

At the Olympic Games, Arsen Galstyan represents two regions – the Republic of Adygea and the Krasnodar Territory. Earlier, he was a world under-20 champion in 2008; a European champion in 2009 and bronze medallist at the 2010 World Cup and the 2011 European Championship.