Gibbons ends wait but bows 
to Harrison

Gibbons, who spent six months out of the sport after needing surgery on her shoulder, had lit up North Arena 2 as she battled through to the semi-finals and then disposed of world champion Audrey Tcheumeo with an ippon throw in golden score.

However, the gold proved just out of reach for the 25-year-old as the fourth-seeded American claimed a narrow 2-0 victory, for the United States’ first judo Olympic title.

Coached by Kate Howey, who was the last British judo fighter to win Olympic silver at the Sydney Games, Londoner Gibbons opened up well, but was caught by an early Yuko score.

With Prime Minister David Cameron and Russian leader Vladimir Putin – a judo black belt – watching from the stands, the Briton went back on the offensive.

Gibbons – who had looked to the heavens and mouthed “I love you mum” after her semi-final win, in memory of Jeanette who passed away from leukaemia in 2004 – showed few signs of fatigue from her gruelling encounters so far.

The British judoka gripped well, but her opponent also showed good defensive skills to evade being caught and edged further ahead with another Yuko as the contest moved into the final minute, from which she closed it out.

Nevertheless, Gibbons left the Tatami to a standing ovation, and a congratulatory handshake from Cameron before heading off for the medal ceremony.

Tcheumeo, meanwhile, picked herself up to win the bronze-medal fight against Abigel Joo of Hungary.

In the men’s under-100kgs, Tagir Khaibulaev of Russia defeated Mongolian Tuvshinbayar Naidan to claim gold.