LONDON (AP) — American judo fighter Kayla Harrison made it to Thursday’s final in the 78-kilogram division and will face Britain’s Gemma Gibbons for the Olympic gold medal.
Harrison knocked out top-ranked Brazilian Mayra Aguiar in the semifinals. Earlier, Harrison beat Abigel Joo in the quarterfinals, taking advantage of her Hungarian rival’s apparent injury to her left ankle injury. She says it drew out her “catty” side.
Harrison adds that she “smelled blood” and won with a match-ending ippon throw.
As for the final, Harrison says: “This is my purpose.”
