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2008 Olympics>Out of the Spotlight: True Olympians>Miracles Happened in Beijing
UPDATED: August-25-2008 Web Exclusive
Country: Mongolia
Date: August 14
Gold medallist: Tuvshinbayar Naidan
Sport: Judo -- Men's 100kg
 

Mongolia has won its first Olympic gold medal ever with Tuvshinbayar Naidan's victory over Kazakhstan's Askhat Zhitkeyev in the men's 100-km judo.

Naidan, who upset defending Olympic champion Keiji Suzuki of Japan in his opening bout, scored a waza ari (a throw in which the opponent is thrown with control and accuracy, but not to the extent of an ippon, or held on the back for between 20 and 25 seconds on the mat. Ippon is one point; waza ari is a half-point; yuko is a score less than a waza ari; and koka is a score less than a yuko) with just under two minutes remaining, then added on two yuko to seal victory in Beijing.

Azerbaijan's Movlud Miraliyev took bronze by scoring a waza ari over Poland's Przemyslaw Matyjaszek. The second bronze went to Henk Grol of the Netherlands, who defeated Georgia's Levan Zhorzholiani.

Naidan, 24, who switched to judo in 2000, used a traditional Mongolian wrestling technique to humble Suzuki in their opening bout, and then trounced Zhitkeyev in the final.

"There are no words that can describe my happiness," Naidan said. "After winning this gold my first thought is to thank my parents, my coach and all the people who have supported me in the past."

While not lacking in skill or technique, the burly Mongolian achieved success largely through his brute strength and determination.

After arrogantly throwing Suzuki off the mat for ippon and automatic victory, Naidan bullied, barged and bruised his way to the final, where a hapless Zhitkeyev was the victim of three scoring throws.

Profile of Tuvshinbayar Naidan

Date of Birth: Jun. 1, 1984

Height (cm/ft in): 176cm / 5'9"

Weight (kg/lbs): 105 kg / 231 lbs

Sport: Judo

Event: Men --100 kg

(Compiled from ESPN.com, August 14, 2008; and BOCOG)


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