The USA’s Kayla Harrison made history at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games as she won her second straight Olympic gold medal Thursday.
The American Judoka is world No. 1 and she faced world No. 2 Audrey Tcheumeo of France in the women’s -78 kg final.
Harrison was able to beat Tcheumeo, the 2012 Olympic bronze medalist and 2011 world champion, by ippon, with a beautifully executed armlock.
Harrison was dominant in the early rounds, winning her first three matches with an ippon. Her first two bouts ended with Harrison pinning her opponent, including a first-round victory over a Chinese judoka that took just 43 seconds. She then forced her semifinal opponent, Slovenia’s Anamari Velensek, to tap out after applying a devastating armlock.
Harrison is the first U.S. judoka to win back-to-back Olympic medals. Four years ago in London, Harrison was the first Team USA athlete to win a gold medal in judo. The only other only U.S. athlete to win two medals in the sport is Harrison’s coach, Jimmy Pedro, who won bronzes at the Atlanta 1996 Olympic Games and Athens 2004 Olympic Games.
Harrison’s wins using Newaza comes just 2 days after her teammate Travis Stevens took silver thanks to his superior ground game.
Harrisson stated:
“Just walking around, people stop me and ask for a picture. That doesn’t happen in the United States. For me, I personally thrive on it. This is the highest stage in the world. This is what I’ve worked for.”
“Judo has been my life. It’s given me so many opportunities. I’ve traveled the world. It’s changed my life and it’s saved my life.”
“I fought a British girl in London, it might be destiny to fight a Brazilian girl in Rio,”
She announced her retirement:
“I’m happy, I’m retiring. Two-time Olympic champion. That’s it.”
Harrison has already hinted that she will try her hand at mixed martial arts and follow in the footsteps of 2008 judo bronze medalist Ronda Rousey.
