France vs. Algeria

The grudge: Colonized by the French in 1830, the Algerians waged a long and brutal war for independence that lasted from 1954 to 1962. The French have since admitted practicing widespread torture during the conflict.

The competitors: Algeria’s Amar Benikhlef (white) and France’s Yves-Matthieu Dafreville (blue) sparred in the men’s middleweight judo semifinal on Aug. 13.

The result: Benikhlef avenged his countrymen and pinned Dafreville, eventually winning a silver medal.