American Kerry McCoy won his opening two bouts in the 120kg class as the first day of the Olympic freestyle wrestling got under way. The 2003 world silver medallist beat Yury Mildzihov of Kyrgystan 4-0 and Italian Francesco Miano-Petta 7-0
A win against Marid Mutalimov of Kazakhstan later on Friday will a seal a spot in the semi-finals.
Competition in four of the seven weight categories began on Friday and will conclude with medal bouts on Saturday.
Fellow Americans Cael Sanderson in the 84kg, Jamill Kelly in the 66kg and Stephen Abas in the 55kg kept alive their medal prospects by winning one bout.
Freestyle wrestling, traditionally dominated by the US, allows holds and moves on the legs and the upper body, in contrast to the Greco-Roman style, where all action must take place above the waist.
Competition in the 60kg, 74kg and 96kg categories begins on Saturday and concludes on Sunday.
MMIX
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