Anna Kharitonova has said that it is "an honour" to win the first gold medal in sambo at the European Games in Baku this afternoon.
The Russian quickly picked up four hold-down points against Nazakat Khalilova of Azerbaijan in the women's -52kg category.
The 30-year-old told reporters: "This victory is an honour for me as these are the first European Games.
"I've never seen [Khalilova] before. So I was checking her out at first, how she is standing, what she is doing. When I had the chance I threw her and I got her. It was great that it was quick.
"You can compare it to the European Championships. Basically the same competitors are here, but the tension is bigger and the whole atmosphere is different. Everybody is especially prepared for this competition."
Kharitnova has previously represented Russia in the Olympics in Judo before switching her focus to the Russian martial art.
Sian Cowper
