2012 London Olympics judo: Kayla Harrison wins first-ever American judo gold medal

Harrison defeated Britain's Gemma Gibbons in a final she dominated from the start, getting a stronger grip on Gibbons and managing to throw her twice.

Kayla Harrison of the United States reacts while competing against Mayra Aguiar of Brazil (in white) during the women's 78-kg judo competition at the 2012 Summer Olympics, Thursday, Aug. 2, 2012, in London. (AP Photo/Ng Han Guan)

LONDON (AP) — Kayla Harrison gave the U.S. its first judo gold medal in Olympic history, taking the 78-kilogram title Thursday at the London Games.

Harrison defeated Britain's Gemma Gibbons in a final she dominated from the start, getting a stronger grip on Gibbons and managing to throw her twice.

Her medal is the U.S.' second in judo this week: Teammate Marti Malloy won a bronze in the women's 57-kilogram division.

Harrison, world No. 4 and a former world champion, was in top form, dispatching many of her opponents with a match-ending ippon move, one in less than a minute. Harrison said she was focused on the gold.

"This is my purpose," she said.

The bronze medals were won by Audrey Tcheumeo of France and Mayra Aguiar of Brazil.