Bantamweight, Greco-Roman (≤57 kilograms), Men

The three leading contenders were Romanian Ion Baciu, the 1967 World Champion, Hungarian János Varga, the 1967 European Champion, and Bulgarian Khristo Traykov, the 1968 European Champion. Varga had also been runner-up at the 1967 Worlds and 1968 Europeans. Traykov won his first bout by a disqualification, but was then pinned by Baciu and was eliminated when he lost by disqualification to American Dave Hazewinkel. In round six Baciu and Varga met for the gold medal, and when the match ended in a draw, Baciu was eliminated, gold going to Varga. In the matches for the lesser medals, Baciu threw Greek Othon Moskhidis and advanced to a silver medal match against Soviet Ivan Kochergin. Baciu and Kochergin were both disqualified in that match, but that still gave the silver medal to Baciu, as Kochergin and Moskhidis had drawn in round six.

Varga and Baciu would return to the Olympics in 1972, but neither medalled, with Varga finishing fourth and Baciu sixth. Varga did win the 1970 World and European Championships. Traykov would win the 1972-73 Europeans.