Kayla Harrison Fights in Rio, Brings Home Silver

June 19, 2011 – USA Judo’s Kayla Harrison continued her march toward the Olympics next year, taking silver at the super competitive Grand Slam Rio 2011 in Rio de Janeiro today.

Harrison (78 kg) has been on an amazing winning streak on the international stage, taking gold in the World Championships in Tokyo last fall, perhaps the toughest tournament anywhere, then gold again at the Pan American Senior Championships in April. At both these major tournaments, Harrison defeated Mayra Aguiar from Brazil in the final round for gold.

Harrison faced rival Aguiar again today across the mat but this time Aguiar threw Harrision for wazari and then ippon to win.

Harrison started the day in Rio de Janeiro pinning Guatemalan Mirla Nolberto for ippon in little more than a minute. In her second round, Harrison threw Italian Assunta Galeone with harai goshi for another ippon. In the semi-finals, Harrison pinned Frenchman Lucie Louette for her third ippon of the day with just a minute left in the round. That put Harrison in the final round against Aguiar.

Harrison trains under two-time Olympic Bronze medalist Jimmy Pedro on Team FORCE at his club in Wakefield, Mass. Pedro’s father, Jimmy Sr., was coaching Harrison mat-side through the tournament in Rio today.

USA Judo heads next to Sao Paulo, Brazil, for a World Cup tournament this coming weekend.

– Story by Ernest Pund