Kayla Harrison, a victim of sexual abuse as a teenager who found a healing home six years ago at a judo center in Massachusetts, Thursday became the first U.S. judo player ever to win an Olympic gold medal. In the 172-pound final, Harrison beat crowd favorite Gemma Gibbons of Great Britain. Harrison scored two Yukos (the Yuko is the lowest denomination of judo score, like a baseball single).
After her win, Gibbons leaped into the arm of U.S. Olympic Coach Jimmy Pedro, who took her under his tutelage six years ago at Pedro's Judo Center in Wakefield, Mass. Pedro, an iconic star as a U.S. competitor, had come up short in his own bid for Olympic gold. But he shared the medal and a massive hug with Harrison Thursday.
The only previous Olympic medal earned by a U.S. woman judo player was a bronze by Ronda Rousey in 2008. Judo has been an Olympic women's sport since 1992.
Harrison brought home America's first-ever gold medal in judo. She won the final match of the women's 78 kilogram weight class, overcoming Great Britain's Gemma Gibbons. Harrison, who is originally from Ohio, was ranked fourth in the world entering the London Games, and she faced stiff competition on her quest for gold, including her rival, Brazilian Mayra Aquiar. Harrison beat Aguiar and became the first American woman in her weight class to reach the Olympic finals. Harrison, and Washington resident Marti Malloy who took the bronze medal in the women's lightweight finals on July 30, are only the second and third US women to medal in Olympic judo.
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