Half-Heavyweight (≤95 kilograms), Men

Due to the Soviet boycott, the favorite’s role fell to the defending champion Belgium’s Robert Van de Walle. Also expected to challenge was West German Günther Neureuther. He had defeated Van de Walle at the 1984 Europeans, and was an Olympic silver medalist in 1976 in heavyweight. But a huge upset occurred in the first round, when unknown American Leo White defeated Van de Walle. In fact, it was such an upset that the referee mistakenly raised the Belgian’s hand before correcting his error. As White had little chance to make the final, and did not, this eliminated Van de Walle from medal contention. Eventually the final came down to two surprising judoka – Brazil’s Douglas Vieira and Korean Ha Hyeong-Ju, who had been bronze medalist at the 1981 World Championships. The final was a well-fought match but the yusei-gachi at the end went to Ha, who won the gold medal.