Olympics: Japanese judo endures worst Games in 24 years
Purchase this article for republication
Buy SPH photos
Belarus' Ihar Makarau and Japan's Daiki Kamikawa compete during the men's over 100kg judo competition at the 2012 Summer Olympics, on Friday, Aug 3, 2012, in London. No Japanese man will win a gold medal in judo for the first time ever at an Olympic Games after Kamikawa lost in the heavyweight division. -- PHOTO: AP
LONDON (AFP) - No Japanese man will win a gold medal in judo for the first time ever at an Olympic Games after Daiki Kamikawa lost in the heavyweight division in London on Friday.
Kamikawa's second round defeat by Ihar Makaru of Belarus also condemned Japan, the home of judo, to their worst Olympic performance in the sport since 1988 in Seoul - the last time they failed to top the judo medals' table.
Men's coach Shinichi Shinohara, a silver medallist in Sydney 12 years ago, said the team are not mentally strong enough.
"It is my responsibility. Technically we were good but mentally and in terms of power we were weak," he said.
