Russian and Azerbaijani teams win gold medals at London games

Russians won gold medals in rhythmic gymnastics, rowing, women's high jump and the 50-kilometer walk.

Anna Chicherova of Russia won an Olympic gold medal in the women's high jump yesterday, Associated Press reports.

Sergei Kirdyapkin won the 50-kilometer walk at the London Games on Saturday, breaking the Olympic record by more than a minute and giving Russia its first gold medal in the event in 20 years, the Washington Post reports.

Kirdyapkin took a commanding lead at the 45-kilometer mark and crossed the finish line near Buckingham Palace in 3 hours, 35 minutes, 59 seconds, breaking the mark of 3:37:09 set by Alex Schwazer of Italy at the Beijing Games four years ago.

A pair of Azerbaijanis, Toghrul Asgarov and Sharif Sharifov, also won gold medals Saturday, the Washington Post reports.

Asgarov won the Olympic wrestling gold medal in the men’s 60-kilogram freestyle Saturday, upsetting Besik Kudukhov of Russia 1-0, 5-0.

Asgarov, the 19-year-old junior world champion from 2011, beat Coleman Scott of the United States in the semi-finals of the men’s 60-kilogram freestyle before taking down Kudukhov, the four-time world champion, in the final.

Sharifov took the Olympic wrestling gold medal in the men’s 84-kilogram freestyle by beating Jaime Yusept Espinal of Puerto Rico 6-1, 2-0 Saturday.

Sharifov, the defending world champion, beat American Jake Herbert in a quarter-final that led to a post-match dispute between U.S. coach Zeke Jones and officials. He shook it all off and picked up wins over three-time Asian champion Ehsan Naser Lashgari in the semi-finals and Espinal in the final.