American Jake Varner wins wrestling gold

Jake Varner from Bakersfield celebrates after defeating Ukraine’s Valerii Andriitsev in their men’s 96kg freestyle wrestling gold medal match. (Marwan Naamani / AFP / Getty Images)

Aug. 12, 2012 1:44 PM PT

Jake Varner of Bakersfield defeats Ukraine’s Valerii Andriitsev to win gold in men’s 96kg freestyle wrestling.

United States’ Jake Varner, right, wrestles Valerii Andriitsev of the Ukraine. (Jim Hollander / EPA)

United States’ Jake Varner, right, wrestles Valerii Andriitsev of the Ukraine. (Marwan Naamani / AFP / Getty Images)

United States’ Jake Varner, right, celebrates after defeating Ukraine’s Valerii Andriitsev for the gold medal. (Yuri Cortez / AFP / Getty Images)