Kaori Matsumoto

Sport: Judo

Nation: Japan

DOB: September 11, 1987

Career Highlights: The top-ranked fighter in the 57-kilogram weight class, Matsumoto looks to bounce back from the disappointment of a semifinal loss at last year's worlds by bringing home Olympic gold. Last August, she was denied a second consecutive world championship by eventual champion Aiko Sato. However, Matsumoto has rebounded well this season, winning the Masters title and a Düsseldorf stop by going undefeated in nine matches. She was downright dominant in 2010, winning all 33 matches en route to six tournament titles, highlighted by first-place finishes at the worlds and Asian Games. Matsumoto has performed well against what's expected to be her primary competition in London _ Sato and Portugal's Telma Monteiro. She's won nine of 12 head-to-head matches against the pair, and defeated Monteiro to win her 2010 world title. Matsumoto has three go-to moves: the kosoto gari, the sode tsuri komi goshi _ a hip throw _ and newaza, which is a form of ground grappling.

Olympic History: None