USA’s Travis Stevens Wins Silver In Men’s 81Kg Judo, First-Ever Olympic Medal In Weight Class

U.S. men’s judoka Travis Stevens won a historic silver medal Tuesday at Carioca Arena 2 at Barra Olympic Park in Rio, one year after not knowing whether he could ever compete again.

USA’s Travis Stevens Wins Silver In Men’s 81Kg Judo

“It’s hard not to break down in tears after everything that I have been through in life,” Stevens said. “To be able to put it to the grindstone and have my team behind me to this point means more than the world to me.”

After reaching the quarterfinals in Beijing in 2008 (ninth place), then the semifinals in London four years ago (fifth place), third time proved to be the charm for the 30-year-old Tacoma, Washington native. Although he lost to Russian gold medalist Khasan Khalmurzaev in the final, Stevens’ Olympic finish was still cause for celebration. The medal was the first for the U.S. in men’s judo since 2004. He became the first U.S. men’s judo silver medalist in the 81kg division after nearly losing his leg last year at the world championships.

“None of the doctors could figure it out,” Stevens said. “We made weight and we fought and came back to the States to find out that if I had made it back a day later, they would’ve have to cut my leg off.”

In August 2015, the judo star was diagnosed with MRSA (Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus), cellulitis, and a muscle contusion in his right knee. The bacteria-based skin infection affects a person’s bloodstream. As a result, Stevens’ leg swelled to twice its size. He was consequently hospitalized and on home care for two months.

“It was definitely a scary moment and you tend to question what is this moment and time really worth?” he said. “I wasn’t even sure I was going to come back to judo after that.”

Nevertheless, he knew he couldn’t abandon the sport he loved so much.

“I had a job to do and you always compete,” he said.

His coach, Jimmy Pedro, was the last Olympic medalist in judo, having won bronze at the 2004 Athens Games. U.S. men have won four silvers and six bronze medals but never a gold in judo.

In the earlier stages of the tournament, it was Stevens’ strong newaza (groundwork) that carried him to victory. After surviving an early scare from Sweden’s Robin Pacek in the Round of 32, Stevens rebounded to pin his following two opponents for victories by ippon (100-point takedown).

Stevens’ best match came against world no. 1 judoka Avtandili Tchrikishvili of Georgia, whom he defeated with an arm-bar submission, forcing the Georgian to tap out with 53 seconds remaining in the match. Stevens had been trailing based on penalties before he won.

“I was definitely looking to get it to the floor,” Stevens said. “Every time you stand up and throw with him, he tends to counter with big pickups. The goal was to drop underneath him and bring him down to the mat.”

“I love Rio and I love the city,” added Stevens. “I started my career here and now the 81 kg. division is being hung up here.”

Looking ahead, he could transition to the 90kg division or perhaps even explore jiu-jitsu. For now, however, he is concentrated on enjoying the moment with his family and U.S. Olympic teammates.

“The next step is to enjoy the Olympic Games and the Olympic spirit,” he said. “Hopefully, I get to watch Team USA win more medals in other sports, especially wrestling.”

The bronze medals were won by Sergiu Toma of the United Arab Emirates and Takanori Nagase of Japan.

Women’s 63kg results
Gold: Tina Trstenjak (SLO)
Silver: Clarisse Agbecnenou (FRA)
Bronze: Yarden Gerbi (ISR)
Bronze: Anicka van Emden (NED)

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – AUGUST 09: Silver medalist Travis Stevens of the United States poses on the podium during the medal ceremony for the Men’s -81kg on Day 4 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Carioca Arena 2 on August 9, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images)