Kayla Harrison became the first American to win an Olympic judo gold medal Thursday, beating Gemma Gibbons in the final of the women's 78-kilogram category.
Harrison dominated the final from the start, getting a stronger grip on Gibbons and managing to throw her twice.
It was the second American judo medal this week, as teammate Marti Malloy of San Jose won a bronze in the women's 57-kilogram division.
The 22-year-old Harrison is a former world champion and was in top form on Thursday. She dispatched several of her opponents with a match-ending ippon, one in less than a minute.
U.S. & World
The bronze medals were won by Audrey Tcheumeo of France and Mayra Aguiar of Brazil.
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