Mongolia Claims First Olympic Gold Via Judo Win; China Also Golden

Beijing, China (AHN) - Mongolia nailed its first-ever gold in the interlocking rings when Japan faltered with its own bet in the men's judo 100-kilogram class Thursday at the Beijing Science and Technology University Gymnasium.

Tuvshinbayar Naidan claimed the gold after pinning down Askhat Zhitkeyev of Kazakhstan, who settled for the silver.

While Naidan brought the first-ever gold for Mongolia, it was his opening-bout victory against Keiji Suzuki that made headlines on the mats.

The defending Olympic champion from Japan hardly came up with his fiery form and lost to Naidan, who constantly put him on his back without giving any room for a counterattack.

Brazilian Luciano Correa, the defending world champion, crashed out of the medal race after a disappointing loss at the onset.

That gave way to other contenders to take the podium-Movlud Miraliyev of Azerbaijan and Henk Grol of the Netherlands claimed the two bronze medals.

In the women's 78-kg class, China's Yang Xiuli defeated Cuba's Yalennis Castillo in overtime to claim the gold, the host nation's third in the sport.

Another Japanese, 2007 world championship silver medalist Sae Nakazawa, was unceremoniously sent packing after losing in the first fight.

The bronze medal went to France's Stephanie Possamai and South Korea's Jeong Gyeong-mi.