Lightweight (≤73 kilograms), Men

Riki Nakaya of Japan, the 2011 World Champion, was the favorite, with Korea’s Wang Gi-Chun, the 2008 silver medalist, also expected to challenge. Nakaya made it to the final, but only after a very close match in the semis with Dutch judoka Dex Elmont. The match was scoreless through regular time and three minutes of extra time, but Nakaya moved on by referee’s decision, or hantei. In the other half of the draw, Mansur Isayev, the 2009 World bronze medalist, advanced to the final to meet Nakaya by defeating Wang in the semis.

The final was close throughout, with Isayev going ahead by yuko with only 1:22 remaining. Nikaya pinned him with 27 seconds left, but Isayev wriggled out to preserve his lead and the victory, winning the gold medal. The bronze medals were both won by upsets with Mongolian Sainjargalyn Nyam-Ochir defeating Elmont, and France’s Ugo Legrand defeating Wang, who was off the podium. American Nick Delpopolo, who originally placed in a tie for seventh, was later disqualified for a doping positive which revealed marijuana use.