Extra-Lightweight (≤60 kilograms), Men

This was the first class contested in the Los Angeles judo tournament and the boycott had a major effect. Three of the medalists at the 1983 World Championship were from Eastern Europe, led by Soviet Khazret Tletseri, the champion. Japan’s Shinichi Haraguchi was the other medalist, but was defeated in the Japanese trials by Shinji Hosokawa, who became the de facto favorite. In the end he would win the gold medal, defeating Korea’s Kim Jae-Yeop in the final, using yoke-shiho-gatame for ippon in only 1:09. Hosokawa was unheralded prior to Los Angeles but would also win the 1985 World Championships, and win a bronze medal at the 1988 Olympics. Hosokawa and Kim would renew their rivalry at the 1987 World Championships, Kim winning the title, and Kim would return to win the 1988 Olympic gold medal in this class.