Parisi The Moscow Olympics was marred by a US-led boycott that saw Japan, South Korea and West Germany declining to participate. This had a big

Uemura The Open weight division holds a special place in the hearts of Japanese judoka. Haruki Uemura was 13 years old when he watched on

Rodriguez became Cuba’s first Olympic judo gold medalist.

The top prospect for the -70kg gold in Montreal was not a Japanese but a Russian.

Isamu Sonoda was not the top favorite, even in Japan, but he rose to the occasion and justified his selection.

After Japan lost on the first day, Ninomiya felt a tremendous amount of pressure to win on Day 2.

Sergei Novikov won the Soviet Union its first judo gold at the Montreal Olympics.

Japan had a double World Open Weight Champion going for the Open gold in Munich but Ruska would not be denied.

Takao Kawaguchi was injured with two broken ribs when he entered into the semifinal but he won that and the final as well, to win Japan its 3rd judo gold of the Munich Games.

Toyokazu Nomura, the uncle of Tadahiro Nomura, wins gold with seoi-nage.

Shinobu Sekine wins Japan its first judo gold at the 1972 Olympics.

Chochishvili shocked everyone by beating the top favorite Japanese player and won the Soviet Union its first ever Olympic judo gold medal.