Heavyweight (>100 kilograms), Men

Born in Guadeloupe, Frenchman Teddy Riner had won a bronze medal in this class at Beijing, but had since won five gold medals at the World Championships, and came to London as the heaviest favorite in the men’s events. He did not disappoint, moving to the final against Aleksandr Mikhaylin. Mikhaylin had survived in the quarters, defeating Brazil’s Rafael da Silva by judges’ decision, and then winning on a golden score over German Andreas Tölzer in the semi-finals. The final saw no offensive points scored, as Riner won the gold medal by accumulated penalties, with Mikhaylin given shido warnings for defensive posture, for leaving the tatami, and for non-combativity. Tölzer and da Silva shared the bronze medals.