Wrestling: NZ Greco Roman hopes all over

Greco Roman wrestler Stephen Hill did not qualify. Photo / Christchurch Star

Greco Roman wrestling won't harbour a New Zealand medallist at these Commonwealth Games after 84kg exponent Stephen Hill was eliminated in the first round today.

Hill lost 7-1 to South African Dean van Zyl, having trailed 2-0 after the first of two sets.

Yesterday, fellow-Cantabrian Sam Belkin finished fourth in the 96kg class. He was promoted one place from fifth after Australian Hassene Fkiri was stripped of his silver medal for making a rude gesture at officials in the final.

Hill is a specialist freestyle wrestler and one of five New Zealanders looking forward to that discipline starting tomorrow.

The first New Zealand women's wrestler to compete at an Olympic or Commonwealth Games, Sian Law, will be the first away on Friday in the 51kg class.

- NZPA