Cao Liguo wins Guangxi's 1st Olympic wrestling medal

On Aug 7, Guangxi athlete Cao Liguo faced off against Japanese competitor Fumita Kenichiro in the 60-kilogram Greco-Roman wrestling final at the 2024 Paris Olympics, ultimately losing 1-4 to his opponent and securing the silver medal.

Cao performed remarkably on the night of Aug 5 to the early hours of Aug 6, defeating athletes from Egypt, Venezuela, and Democratic People's Republic of Korea consecutively, securing an Olympic medal in advance.

In the final match, he once again confronted the Japanese veteran Fumita Kenichiro, whom he had previously lost to at the 2023 World Championships. The competition started intensely, with Cao being penalized for losing points early on, followed by Fumita Kenichiro scoring again. Despite Cao's fierce counterattacks, he ultimately settled for the silver medal.

This medal marks the end of Cao's first Olympic journey and represents the first Olympic medal for Guangxi's wrestling program.

Before this achievement, the best Olympic result for Guangxi wrestling was a fifth-place finish at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

Cao's parents came to the training center that evening to cheer him on alongside the team, showcasing his family's support and the team's unity.