JudoCrazy E-Mag (December) | Page 132

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With its impressive haul of three gold medals and 12 medals in total, Japan is back after a disastruous outing in London 2012. The next Olympics will be in the birth place of judo. For pressure is on for Japan to top its results in Rio 2016.

Two golds, two silvers and one bronze gives France the No. 2 position in the medal tally. A good performance from Europe's strongest and most consistent judo nation. Will its national hero, Teddy Riner aim to be a triple Olympic champ?

Russia topped the medal table in London 2012 but is third in Rio. Still, with two gold medals and one silver, this is not a shabby result. Looks like team manager Ezio Gamba doesn't have to worry about finding a new job just yet!

What a pleasant surprise it was for Italy to have two 21-year players upset the odds. Fabio Basile won gold at -66kg while Odette Giuffrida got a silver at -52kg. All eyes will be on these two upstarts at the 2017 Budapest World Championships.

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By Hans van Essen & Oon Yeoh

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