Russia enjoyed a fruitful Saturday at the European Games in Baku as three of their Greco-Roman wrestlers secured gold medals.
Stepan Maryanyan secured top prize in the 59kg category at the Heydar Aliyev Arena after winning on points against Soslan Daurov.
The Bulgarian took silver, while the bronze medallists were Azerbaijan's Elman Mukhtarov and Tarik Belmadani of France.
Maryanyan's compatriot Evgeny Saleev won the 80kg gold medal, defeating a home wrestler to silence the noisy crowd.
Saleev won on points from Rafig Huseynov, who had to settle for silver, while the bronze medals were won by Daniel Aleksandrov of Bulgaria and Viktar Sasunouski of Belarus.
Meanwhile, Islam Magomedov won gold in the 98kg, the last of the day's four medal events at the Heydar Aliyev Arena.
The 24-year-old won on points against Dimitriy Timchenko of Ukraine, who took the silver medal. France won their second bronze of the evening through Melonin Noumonvi, while the other bronze went to Cenk Ildem of Turkey.
There was respite for Azerbaijan as Rasul Chunayev, roared on by home fans, won gold in the 71kg category for the host nation's first gold medal in wrestling, their national sport.
The 24-year-old won on points against Hungary's Balint Korpasi. The bronze medallists were Dominik Etlinger of Croatia and Frank Staebler of Germany.
Giuseppe Labellarte
