The COVID-19 pandemic has been awful for a number of different reasons. Of course, there was a high death rate in certain countries, as well as a crippling effect on the worlds’ economy. While sport might not have been particularly high on the list for areas of society that was affected, it was a real shame to see events either cancelled entirely or postponed for a whole year. It can’t be underestimated the amount of effort that athletes and sports people put into getting their bodies prepared for these huge events, so for them to be pushed back by a whole year, or not happen at all, must have both physical and psychological effects on those participating.
It was incredibly unfortunate that the Olympics was due to start in August 2020. Given how little international travel was permitted, and the rising rates in Japan, it was never going to take place and was pushed back to 2021. Everyone expected the pandemic to be behind us a year later, but only a few months before the games were due to begin, Japan declared a state of emergency. Thankfully, the Japanese government and the IOC (International Olympic Committee) made the joint decision that they would take place, much to the relief of athletes everywhere.
One of the sports that really gets its time in the sun during the Olympics is Judo, a sport that isn’t really on television screens very often. Despite this, the best online sportsbooks will offer odds on Judo, given its popularity. In total, there were seven separate Men’s Judo events held in Tokyo, as well as seven Women’s events, and one Mixed Team event as well. It was the home nation that was the most successful, with nine gold medals, two silvers and one bronze. France were also fairly successful, with two golds, three silvers and three bronzes. In total, 26 different nations picked up at least a bronze medal at this latest Olympics.
One nation that was noticeable by their absence was the US. Given how successful they usually are at most Olympic sports, not having any of their athletes win a medal in Judo seems quite remarkable, especially given their pedigree in the sport.
One of the most recognisable names in women’s Judo over the past few Olympics is Kayla Harrison. While she has now made the move into the professional world of mixed martial arts (more on that later) she really came to prominence competing in Judo for the US.
Having won the 2010 World Judo Championships and gold at the 2011 Pan American Games, it seems obvious that Harrison would represent her nation at the 2012 Olympic games held in London. However, she nearly didn’t make it there, having torn a medial collateral ligament during training. Thankfully she recovered and went on to win gold in the 78kg category, defeating Gemma Gibbons of Great Britain by two yukos. In doing so, she became the first American to win Olympic gold in Judo.
She then went on to defend her title four years later in Rio de Janeiro, where this time she overcame Audrey Tcheuméo of France, thus cementing herself as one of the greatest in her field.
Given the lack of professional opportunities in Judo, it was always likely Harrison would change discipline to turn pro, hence her move into mixed martial arts. Given that her former training partner is Ronda Rousey, one of the most recognisable faces in MMA, this wasn’t a surprising move. Harrison made her MMA debut at the PFL 2 in 2018, in the Women’s Lightweight division against Brittney Elkin. She came out on top, winning in the first round via submission.
From there, her star has only continued to rise. In the 2019 PFL season, she was victorious over the likes of Larissa Pacheco and Bobbi Jo Dalziel. The 2020 season was postponed due to COVID-19, but this year she has victories against Mariana Morais, Cindy Dandois and Genah Fabian. Her record in MMA currently stands at 11-0-0.
It is a question people have been asking for some time, as the debate about whether she can be considered as one of the best women’s fighters in MMA continues to rumble on. When asked earlier this year if she cares where she places in the rankings, Harrison didn’t seem too bothered. “No, I don’t care… being on someone’s list or being on this or being on that, it doesn’t mean anything”
The fight everyone wants to see is Harrison taking on Amanda Nunes, her American Top Team teammate. Will it happen? Only time will tell. But one thing is for sure, Harrison is committed to becoming the best MMA fighter there is. “I’ve made it abundantly clear that I want to be the best in the world… if I continue to be dominant...I’m going to get to fight the best”.
From those quotes, it appears it is not a matter of if Harrison will fight the best in the business, only a matter of when.
