The men's Greco-Roman heavyweight competition at the 1964 Summer Olympics in Tokyo took place from 16 to 19 October at the Komazawa Gymnasium. Nations were limited to one competitor.[1]Heavyweight was the heaviest category, including wrestlers weighing over 97 kilograms (213.8 lb).[2]
Competition format
This Greco-Roman wrestling competition continued to use the "bad points" elimination system introduced at the 1928 Summer Olympics for Greco-Roman and at the 1932 Summer Olympics for freestyle wrestling, as adjusted at the 1960 Summer Olympics. Each bout awarded 4 points. If the victory was by fall, the winner received 0 and the loser 4. If the victory was by decision, the winner received 1 and the loser 3. If the bout was tied, each wrestler received 2 points. A wrestler who accumulated 6 or more points was eliminated. Rounds continued until there were 3 or fewer uneliminated wrestlers. If only 1 wrestler remained, he received the gold medal. If 2 wrestlers remained, point totals were ignored and they faced each other for gold and silver (if they had already wrestled each other, that result was used). If 3 wrestlers remained, point totals were ignored and a round-robin was held among those 3 to determine medals (with previous head-to-head results, if any, counting for this round-robin).[1][2]
Kaplan and Kangasniemi were eliminated after losses in each of the first two rounds. Kozma had two wins by fall and stayed at 0 points to lead the group.
Kozma had a bye and stayed at 0 points. Dietrich and Roshchin each won by fall and stayed near Kozma at 1 point apiece, insulating the three men from possible elimination for another round. Svensson picked up a 3rd point and Dietrich stayed at 4. All four bout losers in this round were eliminated.
With Kment on a bye and Kozma, Dietrich, and Roshchin each at 1 point or fewer, Svensson was the only wrestler who could potentially be eliminated in this round. He needed a win or tie to stay in competition, but lost to Roshchin to be eliminated. Kozma got his first point, Roshchin his second, and Dietrich received 3 points to move to 4 total
