Expect the unexpected in judo at the Rio Games

(Photo: The Associated Press)LONDON (AP) — When the judo events kick off at the Rio de Janeiro games, the home team will send out a defending Olympic champion on the first day of competition.

With five other top-ranked judoka on its Olympic team, Brazil has a particularly strong home advantage. Although judo has traditionally been dominated by the Japanese, who created the modern martial art, the combat sport has become truly universal. That means the Japanese team, which won only a single gold medal at London in its worst-ever Olympic showing — is no longer the favorite.

Marius Vizer, president of the International Judo Federation, said he expects to see more unexpected winners at Rio.

"I…