baklawa
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Greco-Roman wrestler Ara Abrahamian of Sweden has refused to receive his bronze medal as the Beijing Olympics was treated to a raised-fist protest.
The Swede grudgingly climbed the podium but stormed off in a huff after receiving his prize, which he left at the centre of the competition mat before stalking off the stage with a raised clenched right fist.
Abrahamian thought he had beaten Andrea Minguzzi, the eventual gold medallist in the 84kg division in the semi-finals, but the match was awarded to the Italian. Abrahamian was disgusted by the verdict, shouting at the referee before confronting the judges. The Athens silver medal winner had to be restrained by teammates. Swedish fans in the arena disagreed strongly with the original decision, jeering the judges, while coach Leo Myllari also weighed in.
"It's all politics," he said.
The Swede came back strongly in the repechages to claim one of the two bronzes alongside Nazmi Avluca of Turkey.
The medal was later returned to the sport's governing body.
The Swede grudgingly climbed the podium but stormed off in a huff after receiving his prize, which he left at the centre of the competition mat before stalking off the stage with a raised clenched right fist.
Abrahamian thought he had beaten Andrea Minguzzi, the eventual gold medallist in the 84kg division in the semi-finals, but the match was awarded to the Italian. Abrahamian was disgusted by the verdict, shouting at the referee before confronting the judges. The Athens silver medal winner had to be restrained by teammates. Swedish fans in the arena disagreed strongly with the original decision, jeering the judges, while coach Leo Myllari also weighed in.
"It's all politics," he said.
The Swede came back strongly in the repechages to claim one of the two bronzes alongside Nazmi Avluca of Turkey.
The medal was later returned to the sport's governing body.
