Middleweight (≤80 kilograms), Men

Shozo Fujii had won the last three World Championships but was not in Montréal. He had lost the All-Japan competition to Isamu Sonoda, who was chosen for the Olympic team based on that event. The surprise of the class was Valery Dvoynikov (URS). He was silver medalist in the 1975 Worlds, and was 1976 European Champion, but in the 70 kg. class. He had moved up to 80 kg. in only a few months time. Sonoda and Dvoinikov made it to the final where they fought a spirited match. But Sonoda was too quick and strong for the Soviet judoka, winning the gold medal although the match lasted the full 10 minutes.