The charismatic wrestler becomes Egypt's all-time greatest Olympian, having secured silver medal in London 2012 (84kg) eight years after winning gold in Athens (96kg)

Egyptian wrestler Karam Gaber won the silver medal in the Greco-Roman event (84kg) after losing to Russia's Alan Khugaev on Monday.

Khugaev, 23, won the first two periods 3-0 en route to the gold medal, as Gaber did not seem to be at his best during the final showdown.

Coming from an almost two-year break, the 32-year-old Egyptian wrestler put in stunning performances earlier in the day to beat Croatia's Nenad Zugaj then France's Noumonvi Melonin, before defeating favourite Damian Janikowski of Poland – an eventual bronze medal winner – in the semi-finals.

Upon winning the silver medal, Gaber, who was named the world wrestler of the year in 2004 after seizing the gold medal (96kg) in Athens, has become the first Egyptian grappler to win two Olympic medals, and also the greatest Egyptian Olympian of all time.

Weightlifter Ibrahim Shams was Egypt’s last best Olympic performer for winning two medals in two different editions of Olympic Games (bronze medal in Berlin 1936 and gold medal in London 1948).

Gaber has given Egypt its second medal in the London Games after fencer Alaaeldin Abouelkassem's silver medal.

Ahram