Judoka Misato Nakamura, who failed to live up to her gold medal expectations and made an early exit in the women's 52-kg competition at the London Olympics, will take an extended break from the sport for treatment on her left knee, judo sources said Friday.
Nakamura tore the anterior cruciate ligament in the knee, which she also injured three years ago, and had reconstructive surgery at a Tokyo hospital on Oct. 12. She has been making good progress since the surgery and will ease her way back into training next year.
According to the sources, Nakamura, 23, has an eye on making a return to international competition at the world championships in 2014. She will then aim to compete at the Rio De Janeiro Olympics in 2016.