Palmetto wrestler collects silver medal in Athens Games

Steve Contarino of Palmetto won a silver medal Tuesday for the U.S. World Team at the Veterans World Freestyle Championships at the Olympic Center in Athens, Greece.

Contarino, 61, Palmetto, defeated one previous world champion in freestyle wrestling in the 97-kilogram Division F for ages 61-65.

Contarino said winning a silver medal represented the high point of his 22 years competing on the world freestyle stage.

His run to the gold was stopped by 13-time world champion Singh Kartar of India in a 14-4 decision.

"I scored four points on him, the first points scored on him in four years," Contarino said. "I threw him to his back and then he got up and pounded me. I had two world champions in my class and I beat one of them."

Contarino said he will wrestle in the Greco-Roman tourney Sunday.

This story was originally published October 13, 2015 at 12:00 AM with the headline "Palmetto wrestler collects silver medal in Athens Games ."