Olympics Summer

Brazil Olympian breaks bronze medal in the shower

A Brazilian judoka accidentally broke his Olympic bronze medal when he brought it into the shower. Now he's fighting to have it replaced.

Judoka wants prize to be replaced after string came apart and medal was dented

Felipe Kitadai, of Brazil, kisses his bronze medal for the men's 60-kilogram judo competition at the 2012 Summer Games in London. Kitadai is seeking a replacement medal after he broke his in the shower. (Paul Sancya/Associated Press)

A Brazilian judoka accidentally broke his Olympic bronze medal when he brought it into the shower. Now he's fighting to have it replaced.

Felipe Kitadai said he was carrying the medal everywhere. He took it with him to the shower as a joke, then dropped it while trying to keep it from getting wet.

Kitadai told Brazil's GloboEsporte.com that the part holding the medal's string broke, and now he can't wear it around his neck. He said there's also a small dent on it.

Kitadai won the bronze in the men's 60-kilogram division Saturday.

The Brazilian Olympic Committee says it will request a new medal even though it knows the International Olympic Committee has no obligation to give Kitadai another one.

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