Okinawa, the birth-place of karate, can now boast of producing the first ever Olympic gold medalist in men's kata competition. Three-time world champion and Okinawan native Ryo Kiyuna brought Japan its first karate gold as he claimed the title in dominating fashion outscoring Spain's Damian Quintero in the finals by more than a point with a score of 28.72. The United States' Ariel Torres claimed America's first karate medal when he captured the bronze, as did Turkey's Ali Sofuoglu.

In the kumite events, Jovana Prekovic of Serbia beat China's Yin Xiaoyan to claim gold in the women's 61 kg class while Italy's Luigi Busa won gold in the men's 75 kg category over Azerbaijan's Rafael Aghayev.

The U.S. earned another gold in wrestling as Gable Stevenson came back to score a last second takedown and win the men's 125 kg division over Georgia's Geno Petriashvili. Japan's Mayu Mukaida captured the women's 53 kg class over China's Pang Qianyu while Zaurbek Sidakov, representing the Russian Olympic Committee, defeated Mahamedkhabib Kadzimahamedau of Belarus in the men's 74 kg category.