The 2014 World Beach Wrestling Championship ended in a triumph for the hosts as Greece swept the team trophies in cadet, junior and senior men and women at Katerini, central Macedonia.
Sunday witnessed the culmination of the championship, with the seniors competing under the Greek sun at the foot of Mount Olympus.
After winning in the cadets and juniors categories on Friday and Saturday, Greece also dominated the womens events, securing two gold medals and leaving the third to Estonia.
Greek Maria Prevolaraki wrestled her way to gold in the 60-kilogram category, with Kazakh Miruyert Dynbayeva second and Norwegian Rikke Juel Bugge third.
It was an all-Greek podium at the 70 kilos with Athina Giannousa first, Irini Gavranidou second and Virginia Tsaknaki third.
Estonia celebrated Epp Mae’s gold in the 70+ kg category, while Norwegian Iselin Moen Solheim was second and Greek Katerina Pitsiava third. In the points table Greece gathered 22, ahead of Norway with 13 and Estonia with eight.
In the men’s points classification Greece was first with 26, Russia followed with 23 and Romania came in third with 16.
In total, across all senior, junior and cadet categories, Greece collected nine golds, nine silvers and nine bronzes. But besides the sporting triumph, the championship was also an organisational triumph for the hosts.
The championship was dedicated to the memory of Olympian wrestler Panayiotis Pikilidis, who died a few weeks ago at the age of 49 years.
Source: Kathimerini