The New Nation - Internet Edition

AFP, Beijing

Georgian Irakli Tsirekidze won the men's - 90kg judo gold at the Beijing Games here on Wednesday.

Tsirekidze added the Olympic crown to the world title he won a year ago as he beat Algeria's Amar Benikhlef in the final to succeed compatriot Zurab Zviadauri as Olympic champion.

Egyptian Hicham Mesbah was a surprise bronze medallist but he thrilled the crowd with a massive pick-up on France's Yves- Matthieu Dafreville for a thudding ippon.

Swiss veteran Sergei Aschwanden picked up the final bronze medal with a come-from-behind victory against Russia's Ivan Pershin.