Silver medal for Marko Yli-Hannuksela in Greco-Roman wrestling

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Marko Yli-Hannuksela, 30, won the silver medal in the 74 kilogram category of Greco-Roman wrestling in Athens on Thursday, giving Finland its second medal in the Olympics.
      In his first match of the day, Yli-Hannuksela beat defending Olympic champion Filiberto Azcuy from Cuba after a tough bout that ended in overtime. In the semi-final the Finn had an easier time against Switzerland's Reto Bucher, who suffered from an injured ankle.
     
Yli-Hannuksela, the bronze medallist from the Sydney Olympics and the world champion in 1997, was quite exhausted in his final against Uzbekistan's Aleksandr Dokturishvili.
      Dokturishvili easily took a 4-0 lead, with Yli-Hannuksela scoring only one point later in the bout.
      "I am definitely not dissatisfied", the Finn emphasised after the final. "Whenever you get a medal in a place like this, you have to be pleased. I achieved my goal."
      Yli-Hannuksela did admit that the way he lost the final was a bit annoying. "I felt like I wasn't able to give my all. My defence was a bit late in the decisive moments." The day's earlier match-ups had drained the strength from the Ilmajoki native's legs.
     
Finland's chances of further medals in Athens were not harmed on Thursday when the entire trio of Finnish javelin throwers made it to the final of this event, traditionally a strong sport in this country.
      Jenni Honkanen also progressed to the final of her event, the women's K1 kayak flatwater racing.


Previously in HS International Edition:
  Relief all round: Marko Kemppainen takes first Finnish medal in Athens (23.8.2004)

Links:
  Athens 2004 Official Site

Helsingin Sanomat