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Coach Simeon Shterev. Photo by EPA/BGNES
Bulgaria's Stanka Zlateva, winner of five world titles and silver in Beijing in 2008, deserved to win the gold medal in London as she was better than her Russian opponent, according to her coach.
"I am really very sorry for her defeat. You can see she was the better and more experienced wrestler. But tensions ran high and she just gave in," coach Simeon Shterev said in an emotional interview after the match with tearful Stanka Zlateva beside him.
Stanka Zlateva failed to redeem herself for the disappointment she suffered four years ago in Beijing and settled for silver again, this time in London.
Natalia Vorobieva of Russia dashed Bulgaria's dreams for a gold medal, even though Zlateva was in great shape and showed perfect tactics in the first part of the game.
Zlateva looked on course to improve on her silver medal from Beijing when she took the opening round by a single point.
However, Vorobieva pinned the world number one in the second round to clinch the gold medal.
This is the second Olympic silver medal in Zlateva's fabulous career, which however lacks Olympic gold only. This is also the first distinction gained for Bulgaria in the Olympic Games in London.
The five-time world wrestling champion reached the 72 kilograms freestyle finals of the Olympic Games on what could have proved to be one of the most successful days after winning over Spain's Maider Unda.
Earlier in the day Zlateva defeated Jenny Fransson of Sweden convincingly 3:0 after winning against world bronze medalist Vasilisa Marzaliuk of Belarus in a tough opening match up.
In an incredible run of victories Zlateva beat Annabel Laure Ali (Cameroon) 3-1.
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