The Georgian team considered pulling out of the Olympics two weeks ago amid fighting in their homeland with Russian forces. The 2005 world title holder and 2006 runner-up, who now has his first Olympic medal, said the conflict overshadowed the contest over the past two weeks.

“Of course we were all very nervous and all the team was thinking about what was happening in our country, Georgia. It was very difficult and very tough to concentrate on sport but I tried,” he said. “I hope there will be peace in our country.”

But conflict had not entered into his battle with Ketoev.

“We’re athletes, not politicians,” he said, adding that he and Ketoev had met several times for matches.

Mindorashvili wished silver medallist Abdusalamov well. He said he did not know what had happened to cause his opponent to collapse.

“Anything can happen in this kind of match, but I wish him all the best and good health,” he said.