SYDNEY -- Japan's dream start on the Olympic judo mat stumbled Sunday night when world champion Noriko Narazaki had to settle for the under-52 kg silver in a tightly fought rematch with the woman she defeated to become world champion last year.

Cuba's Legna Verdecia jumped onto her coach's shoulders and waved the Cuban flag after adding a gold to the under-52 kg bronze she won in Atlanta four years ago.

"I had been working hard for four years (since Atlanta) to this day," Narazaki said. "I gave everything I could."