Japan's Matsumoto wins judo gold medal

London: Kaori Matsumoto of Japan won the Olympic gold medal on Monday in the women's judo 57-kilogram division.

It was Japan's first gold in London in the martial art it invented. Matsumoto defeated Corina Caprioriu of Romania in the final, using footwork to gain an advantage and eventually throw her for the win.

The Japanese men have so far won two judo medals: one silver and one bronze. The women's 57K bronze medals were won by American Marti Malloy and Automne Pavia of France.