BEIJING, August 10, 2008 (AFP) - Two drinking buddies threw their friendship out the window to clash for the men's Olympic -66kg judo gold medal at the Beijing Games on Sunday.

Masato Uchishiba retained the Olympic lightweight title by pinning Benjamin Darbelet of France into submission just one minute into a scheduled five-minute final, bringing Japan its first gold medal in any sport here.

Uchishiba forced the Frenchman down to secure a hold and continued locking his joint even after he gave up.

'I couldn't hear 'I give up' and I feel quite sorry for him,' the 30-year-old Japanese said.

'I know him well because Japan often go to France. We had chances to drink together, allowing me to study him well,' Uchishiba quipped.

Japan's national judo team has held training camps in France in recent years, often together with French judokas. This year they trained for two weeks in May and June in Normandy.

The silver was the first Olympic or world medal for 27-year-old Darbelet, whose best result was winning the European title in 2003.

The Frenchman hurt his neck as he fell attacking Uchishia before assuming a defensive position on the ground.

But the Japanese pounced and took the upper hand.

'I thought I could get out of this joint lock when he tried to hold me down,' said Darbelet

'After all, he's been to my place and I've offered him many drinks. But he's still a great champion and I'd like to congratulate him.'