The American breezed through the early rounds at the Le Spot Arena, winning four contests in a combined time of 3min 31sec on route to the gold medal contest.

He was given a far sterner test in the final, despite Kyrgyzstan’s Kurshid Parpiev competing in his first international competition.

Lee’s greater experience eventually tell as the defending champion prevailed 11-9 to finish top of the podium.

Azerbaijan’s Alibbas Rzazade secured the first bronze medal, winning 2-0 against Turkey’s Engin Cetin, and Kazakhstan’s Yarbulan Sarkytbayev completed the podium after a 12-6 win over Georgia’s Roberti Dingashvili.

There was further celebration for the United States when Mark Hall won their second gold medal of the day by earning a technical fall triumph over Iran’s Ahmad Bazrighaleh in the 74kg final.

Russia’s Nikita Suchkov won in the same manner against Moldova’s Gheorhi Pascalov in their bronze medal bout.

Tariel Gaphrindashvili also secured a bronze medal, the Georgian wrestler achieving a victory by fall over Azerbaijan’s Murad Suleymanov.

While Iran were left to settle for silver in the 74kg event, they replicated the American team’s achievement of ending the first day of men’s freestyle competitions with two gold medals.

The first came through Peiman Biabani in the 60kg division as he triumphed 3-1 against Turkey’s Selim Kozan.

An 11-6 triumph over France’s Ilman Muthtarov saw Shmagi Todua secure a bronze medal, the Georgian being joined by Russia’s Kezhik Chymba on the podium, following his technical fall success over Uzbekistan’s Tamurjon Usmonohunov.

Hossein Shahbazigazvar secured Iran’s second gold medal, courtesy of a 7-1 win over Germany’s Erik Thiele in the 96kg competition.

Russia’s Znaur Kotciev triumphed 7-0 against India’s Mandeep Mandeep in the opening bronze medal bout.

Hungary’s Kristof Wittmann enjoyed a 7-2 win over Italy’s Simone Iannattoni to claim the other minor medal on offer.

The World Championships is due to conclude tomorrow with the 55kg, 66kg, 84kg and 120kg divisions.