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Olympic Judo Recaps: 24 July (Day 5)

Men's Lightweight (71kg) Finalist

Nakamura Claims 2nd Olympic Judo Gold for Japan.

Kenzo Nakamura of Japan decisioned Korea's KWAK Dae-Sung by hantei to become Japan's second gold medalist in the judo competition in the 1996 Atlanta Games.

NAKAMURA was a heavy favorite because of his first place finish at this year's Paris Invitational Tournament. His well timed and opportunistic maneuvers left his opponent in his wake all day long. The gold medal match was no exception. First scoring a koko, he went on to tally a yuka that led to an insurmountable lead over his opponent.

The USA's hope for an Olympic medal in Judo was realized when Jimmy PEDRO upended Sebastian PEREIRA of Brazil for ippon in one side of the repechage bracket. Cristophe GAGLIANO added to France's medal count in judo by overturning Khalin BOLDBAATAN of Mongolia for the remaining bronze.


Women's Lightweight (51kg) Finals

Doubtful Drilius Delivers Olympic Gold

A neck injury during a practice session two months ago raised serious doubts on Drilius GONZALES of Cuba would even be competing at this year's Olympic Games, much less be crowned an Olympic champion.

GONZALES controlled the final match with YUNG Sun-Yong of Korea from the start, scoring twice early on with a koko followed a yuka to take a commanding lead that was never relinquished. The excited gold medalist left the mat literally leaping into the arms of her waiting coach. GONZALES had defeated LIU Chang of China in the semifinals to set the stage for Olympic triumph.

JUNG achieved the opportunity to compete for the gold by convincingly outscoring Isabel FERNANDEZ, the eventual Bronze medal winner, in her semifinal round.

Making it through the repechage rounds for the bronze medals were Marisabel LOMBA of Belgium and Isabel FERNANDEZ .

"Yes, Indeed...Two months ago...I only started training (again) a month ago." gold medalist Drilius GONZALEZ of Cuba when asked if it was true that she had suffered a neck injury recently.


Men's Lightweight (71kg), Preliminaries

Japan's Nakamura Will Face Challenges by Mongolia, Brazil and Korea

NAKAMURA Kenzo, the 1996 Paris International Champion, is considered the judoka to beat in this division. Scoring by three straight ippons, NAKAMURA posted wins over Thomas SCHLEICHER (AUT), Abdelhakim HARKAT (ALG) and Germany's Martin SCHMIDT on his cruise to Wednesday afternoon's finals.

Khalin BOLDBAATAR of Mongolia dispatched Sebastian ALQUATI (ARG) in the first round with an ippon and then did the same over Jimmy PEDRO (USA) and Vladimeri DGEBUNDZE (GEO) for the right to face NAKAMURA in the semifinals. PEDRO kept his medal hopes alive by scoring an ippon over ALQUATI and then dominating DGEBUADZE to advance to the finals of the repechage (bronze medal) round. Martin SCHMIDTis alos expected to contend for the bronze medal.

Sebastian PEREIRA of Brazil rolled through his early matches with Cristophe GAGLIANO (FRA), Salim ABANOZ (TUR) and Stephen CORKIN of New Zealand and will be facing KWAK Dae-SUNG of Korea in the semifinal.

Scoring on three straight ippons, KWAK barely broke a sweat eliminating David KOUASSI (CIV), Amir GHOMI (IRI) and SHTURBABIN (UZB) in his quest for the Olympic gold medal.


Women's Lightweight (56kg), Preliminaries

Korea On Tap for Another Olympic Medal in the 56kg Division

With the hopes of Olympic gold still shining brightly, Korea's JUNG Sun-Yong will square off in a lightweight semifinal bout with Isabel FERNANDEZ of Spain. The other semifinalist bout will feature Druilis GONZALEZ of Cuba and LIU Chang of China.

Both JUNG and FERNANDEZ advanced in their bracket with judges' decisions. JUNG was declared the winner over LOMBA of Brazil and Norika MIZOGUCHI of Japan. Isabel FERNANDEZ of Spain did the same notching victories over Zulfiya GUSEYNOVA (AZE) and Maria PEKLI of Hungary. GUSEYNOVA (AZE) remains a top contender for a bronze medal.

Druilis GONZALES's wins came by defeating Jessica GAL (NED) and Nicola FAIRBROTHER of Great Britain to reach the finals.

LIU Chang of China edged Zulfiya GARIPOVA (RUS) then recorded an ippon over Corrina WEST (USA) to take the remaining finalist spot.


This is an official publication of the Atlanta Committee for the Olympic Games Sports Publications Department.


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