Lightweight (≤63 kilograms), Men

The two favorites were Takao Kawaguchi of Japan, 1971 World Champion, and Jean-Jacques Monnier, who had won the European title from 1970-73. Both made the semi-finals and Kawaguchi easily advanced to the final. In the second semi, Monnier faced the Mongolian, Bakhvain Buyadaa, who was unknown and had little experience in judo. His training was in wrestling, and he did not even know his belt was supposed to go twice around his waist. But Buyadaa mauled Monnier in the match with his wrestling moves, and won by decision. The final was anti-climactic, as Buyadaa was no match for Kawaguchi’s skills. He took Buyadaa down in nine seconds with kami-shiho-gatame and held it for 30 seconds to win. A few days later, Buyadaa became the first Olympic judoka with a positive doping test, in this case for Dianabol, an anabolic steroid. His medal was removed, but the other athletes were not moved and second place in this class is considered vacant.