Defending champion Ayumi Tanimoto successfully defended her Olympic title Tuesday evening and German Ole Bischof won his first gold in judo after stunning world champion Brazilian Tiago Camilo.
Tanimoto, who had not won any international title after 2004, scored ippon in all four bouts she played in the competition in which she showed off her pinning technique to win three games.
The Japanese shoulder-threw her French rival Lucie Decosse to the tatami in one minute and 26 seconds. The sudden loss made Decosse motionless when kneeling down after the referee gave the ippon gesture.
"It is a surprise for me to enter the final and win the gold medal again," said Tanimoto who lost to the French judoka in world championships 2005. "I can't find a word to describe my feelings for the moment since I am very happy."
"Tanimoto and I have been regarded as the two bests in the category and she played better than me," said Decosse who was called "Lucie, Go, Lucie" by her supporters in the stands.
"We knew each other's skills very well and it was me who often beat her before. That is why I was dazed by the defeat for a while on the mat," said Decosse who is just two days younger than Tanimoto.
"I can't regain the title only by effort of myself," said Tanimoto who contributed the all-ippon victory to her master at the Athens Games who told her that ippon is the core charm of judo and the only key to win the champion.
The Japanese coach said Tanimoto deserved the gold medal for her hard training and a steady performance in the competition.