SUMMER OLYMPICS

Kayla Harrison advances to 78 KG judo final

August 2, 2012 - 10:33 am
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LONDON (AP) - American judo fighter Kayla Harrison made it to Thursday's final in the 78-kilogram division and will face Britain's Gemma Gibbons for the Olympic gold medal.

Harrison advanced to the gold medal match with a win over Mayra Aguiar in the semifinals. Photo: Associated Press

Harrison knocked out top-ranked Brazilian Mayra Aguiar in the semifinals. Earlier, Harrison beat Abigel Joo in the quarterfinals, taking advantage of her Hungarian rival's apparent injury to her left ankle injury. She says it drew out her "catty" side.

With her victory, Harrison became the first American woman to advance to a gold-medal match in Olympic judo competition

Harrison adds that she "smelled blood" and won with a match-ending ippon throw.

As for the final, Harrison says: "This is my purpose."

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