22-year-old Kayla Harrison won gold for the United States its first gold medal in Judo, defeating Great Britain’s Gemma Gibbons 2–0 Thursday.
Harrison, ranked second in the world, was usually first to grab and control her opponents arms, leading to three Yukos—throws where the player lands on her side or stomach, not on her back. One was disallowed, as Harrison attacked from her knees.
Harrison made an attack in the closing seconds which landed Gibbons on the mat. The American moved in for a ground attack—her specialty—as the period ended.
Gibbons, ranked 47th, upset French World Champion Audrey Tcheumeo with an Ippon—a full throw with the player landing on her back—to advance to the gold-medal round.
Harrison defeated top-seeded Mayra Aguar to reach the finals.
After winning Olympic gold, Harrison will prepare for a more serious test: she will seek EMT certification to pursue her other dream, of being a firefighter.
