Aslanbek Khushtov of Russia celebrates after beating Mirko Englich of Germany during the men's Greco-Roman 96kg final at the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games wrestling event in Beijing, China, Aug. 14, 2008. Aslanbek Khushtov won the bout and grabbed the gold medal. (Xinhua Photo) Photo Gallery>>>

    BEIJING, Aug. 14 (Xinhua) -- Russian Aslanbek Khushtov defeated German Mirko Englich in the men's 96kg Greco-Roman final on Thursday, winning Russia its third wrestling gold medal at the Beijing Olympics.

    Khushtov overwhelmed his rival for the comfortable victory of two bouts after both Athens Olympic gold medalist Karam Gaber of Egypt and silver medalist Ramaz Nozadze of Georgia were knocked out early in the competition.

    The winning Khushtov said that "it's too early to feel excited and I still need time to experience the happiness."

    "It was a long way for me to win this medal, and I think it was God's award for all my suffering and hard work," he said.

    "I hope Russian wrestlers could win 10 golds in the Olympics. The more, the better," the Russian said.

    After confessing his disappointment of being the second, Englich said that "Anyway, I felt something heavy (the silver medal) on my neck now, so I cannot complain more."

    Adam Wheeler of the United States and Asset Mambetov of Kazakhstan won the two bronze medals in the same category.

    The American bronze medalist said that "it was the best moment of my life."

    Russian wrestlers Nazyr Mankiev and Islam-Beka Albiev won on Tuesday two gold medals in the men's 55kg and 60kg Greco-Roman competitions.