Ohio native Kayla Harrison became the first American to win a gold medal in the women's judo event on Thursday when she defeated Britain's Gemma Gibbons in the final of the 78-kg judo competition. This was an amazing historical performance for Harrison, facing Gibbons who had the home crowd behind her.
The gold medal victory adds to the Harrison's story, considering her background. The Middletown native left Ohio for Boston after her former judo coach went to prison for sexually abusing her. Now Harrison is taking apart her competition in the ultimate success story that anyone from any country can easily gravitate to.
Prior to Harrison's gold medal victory on Thursday, the highest an American ever received in judo action was a bronze medal.
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