In a final match of the men's Greco-Roman wrestling 74kg on Sunday, Kazakevičius beat Denmark's Mark Overgaard Madsen, world vice-champion in 2007 and 2009, 3-0.
Before the Olympics, Kazakevičius was expected to take 5-10 places. Forecasts from wrestling experts were even more reserved after the draw. "When I saw the draw, I got nervous, since he had to fight extremely powerful competitors," Mindaugas Ežerskis, one of Lithuania's most prominent wrestlers, said before the Olympic tournament.
Kazakevičius also won 3rd place in this year's European championship in Belgrade. In 2010 world championship, he came in 12th. In previous Beijing Olympics four years ago, Kazakevičius won 15th place. He is currently coached by Ryhor Kazouski and Ruslanas Vartanovas.
The men's Greco-Roman 74kg gold went to Russian Roman Vlasov who beat Arsen Julfalakyan from Armenia.
Emin Ahmadov from Azerbaijan won the second bronze medal in the same weight category.
Congratulations from state leaders
Lithuanian leaders congratulated Aleksandras Kazakevičius on winning bronze in Greco-Roman wrestling in the London 2012 Olympics on Sunday.
"Please accept my sincere congratulations on the Olympic bronze medal! Your victory is a superb gift for Lithuania and its people. I wish you all the success, strength and beautiful victories in the future," President Dalia Grybauskaitė said in a message on Monday.
Parliamentary Speaker Irena Degutienė expressed hope that the victory would inspire other Lithuanian athletes, adding that Lithuania should collect a set of all medal colors.
"I sincerely thank you for the happy moments you gave Lithuania while competing for the superb result with highly capable opponents. I am convinced that your example would inspire other athletes to aspire for the best results and win a full set of Olympic medals for the Lithuanian sports community and all people," Degutienė said.
Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius stated that an Olympic medal was a result of hard and consistent efforts.
"After persistent and tiring fights, you won a victory and received a bronze medal. You made an entry in the history of Olympic sports. The Olympic bronze medal is an outcome of hard, strong-willed and consistent efforts,” Kubilius said in his letter.
The prime minister watched Kazakevičius' first wrestling fights in the Olympic arena and was fascinated by the Lithuanian wrestler's character and sporting spirit, the government's press service said.
