South Korea appealing controversial wrestling decision

South Korea is taking steps to appeal a controversial ruling that cost its Greco-Roman wrestler a victory at the Rio de Janeiro Olympics, though the final result still won't likely change, officials said Sunday.

In the men's 75kg event at Carioca Arena 2, Kim Hyeon-woo lost to the reigning gold medalist, Roman Vlasov of Russia, by 7-5 in the round of 16. Kim won the 2012 Olympic gold in 66kg and was going for another gold in the new weight class.

Trailing 6-3 in the late moments, Kim pulled off a throw that he believed should have been worth a full four points and given him a 7-6 lead.

When the turn is executed without the opponent's shoulder touching the mat, it is worth four points. When Kim only received two points, his head coach, An Han-bong, challenged the ruling.

Following a video review, the original decision was upheld. And losing the challenge meant Vlasov got an extra point, and it gave him a 7-5 win.

With the crowd booing the final result, An said he would appeal the decision to the United World Wrestling, the sport's international governing body.

When reached by Yonhap News Agency on his phone, Jeffrey Jones, a U.S.-born, Seoul-based attorney serving as a legal advisor for the Korea delegation, said he was taking necessary steps for an appeal, but wasn't able to comment further.

Park Chi-ho, an assistant coach for the Greco-Roman team, said while the UWW decision could be reached as early as Sunday, "The final result of the match likely won't be overturned."

Park explained the UWW may sanction the referee of the match but won't likely schedule a rematch or give Kim a victory.

Kim and Vlasov are widely regarded as two of the best in 75kg.

Kim beat Vlasov for the world title in his new class in 2013, while Vlasov is the 2015 world champion.

There are no seeds in Olympic wrestling, and every competitor is thrown into the pool for a random draw. The consensus was that the winner of Kim-Vlasov showdown would eventually emerge as the Olympic champion. (Yonhap)