The United States had never won a gold medal in judo, until Thursday. Kayla Harrison won gold in the 78 kg (171.9 lbs) weight division in a 2-0 win over British judoka Gemma Gibbons.
This was the first Olympics for Harrison, who is just 23. She attended the 2008 Olympics to train with eventual bronze medal-winner (and current Strikeforce MMA champion) Ronda Rousey. Harrison was inspired by watching Rousey get to the podium.
Harrison earned her gold by beating Russian Vera Moskulyak, then Hungarian Abigel Joo. In the semifinals, she took out Brazilian Mayra Aguiar, then topped off her gold medal run by winning over Gibbons in front of her home crowd.
[ Related: Ten essential terms to know while watching Judo ]
After the win, she leaped into the stands, where her fiance was waiting to hug her and drape her in the American flag.More London Olympics coverage on Sports:
• Badminton will overhaul format of future Olympic tournaments
• U.S. volleyball star Kerri Walsh-Jennings can't hold infant sons
• Mystery solved of underwater Olympic photos
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