Melnikov beat Uzbekistan’s Ilkhom Bakhromov by technical fall in the final to secure top honours in the French city.

The bronze medals were won by Armenia’s Sergey Simonyan and Georgia’s Nugzari Tsurtsumia at the expense of Kyrgyzstan’s Adilet Taalaibekov and Iran’s Mehdi Seifollah Mohsen Nejad respectively.

On a day dedicated to Greco-Roman action, there was also success for Kyrgyzstan’s Kaly Sulaimanov after he overcame Germany’s Etienne Kinsinger 2-1 in the 60kg gold medal match.

Turkmenistan’s Seydylla Tazayev defeated Azerbaijan’s Mikayil Rahmanov for bronze and was joined on the third step of the podium by the United States’ Taylor Craig La Mont, who proved too strong for Ukraine’s Oleksandr Hrushyn.

Tamerlan Shadukayev of Kazakhstan beat Romania’s George Vlad Mariea to the biggest prize in the 74kg division with a 6-1 triumph as Russia’s Akhmed Kaytsukov and Hungary’s Zotlan Levai took the bronzes.

Kaytsukov got the better of Turkey’s Serkan Akkoyun, while Levai saw off the challenge of Uzbekistan’s Abubakr Alimov.

The last final of the day pitted Georgia’s Giorgi Melia against Belarus’ Bopembe Arsen Sychev at 96kg with the former coming out a 4-3 victor.

Russia’s Ruslan Bekuzarov ensured a bronze medal by overcoming Estonia’s Kevin Baumann, while the US’s Tracy Gangelo Hancock did likewise with a win over Japan’s Yuta Nara.

Action in Mâcon is due to continue tomorrow with the 55kg, 66kg, 84kg and 120kg Greco-Roman competitions.