Nagase Triumphs in -81kg Judo to Continue Japanese Gold Rush

Gold medalist Takanori Nagase of Japan poses with his medal after winning the Men’s Judo 81kg event at the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo, Japan, on July 27, 2021. Sergio Perez/Reuters

TOKYO—Japan’s Takanori Nagase won the men’s -81kg judo gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics by beating Saeid Mollaei of Mongolia in the final, extending the gold rush by Japanese judokas.

Rio bronze medallist Nagase’s victory marked a fifth judo gold medal for hosts Japan at the Games, edging them closer to their previous Olympic record of eight titles in 2004 in Athens.