Riner, Ortiz secure judo golds
LONDON, Aug 3: Five-time world champion Teddy Riner finally landed the Olympic crown as he claimed heavyweight gold at the ExCel Arena here on Friday.
Riner, the bronze medallist in Beijing four years ago, beat three-time Russian world champion Alexander Mikhayline on penalties in the final in front of a crowd dominated by French fans.
Second seed Andreas Toelzer earned a bronze medal as he pinned Ihar Makarau of Belraus He was joined on the podium by Brazilian third seed Rafael Silva who edged South Korea’s Kim Sung-Min by a penalty.
Earlier, Idalys Ortiz claimed Cuba’s first Olympic judo title since Sydney 2000 as she won the women’s heavyweight category.
Ortiz took a narrow judges’ decision over Japan’s Maki Sugimoto following a war of attrition. Beijing champion Tong Wen of China had to settle for bronze this time, armlocking Brazil’s Maria Altheman.
Veteran Brit Karina Bryant finally landed an Olympic medal at her fourth Games, beating Iryna Kindzerska of Ukraine to bring her 14-year career to a perfect close.—AFP