Danvers' Kayla Harrison Set to Defend Olympic Judo Title

Originally published on July 25, 2016.

DANVERS, MA — A Danvers resident is hoping to defend her gold medal next month at the Olympics in Rio.

Kayla Harrison, who is America's only gold medalist in judo, will compete in her second consecutive Olympic games next month and will return to the 78 kg weight class.

Four years ago, Harrison made history, beating Gemma Gibbons in London to win an Olympic gold medal. In addition to her victory at the London games, Harrison is a reigning back-to-back World Masters Champion, two-time Pan American Games champion, the 2010 World Champion, and the top-ranked fighter at 78 kg.

Harrison is originally from Ohio and trains in Wakefield with two-time medalist Jimmy Pedro.

Image Credit: Team USA