LONDON — The 10:33 a.m. elimination match in women’s judo, 172-pound-plus category, was unremarkable, just another quick bout on the assembly line of judo matches that took place throughout Friday morning. That is, it was unremarkable athletically speaking.

Historically, politically and socially speaking, it was another thing altogether.

“In white,” the announcer declared, as the two judokas walked into the arena, “the first woman ever from Saudi Arabia, Wojdan Shaherkani.”

To be more precise, the first Saudi woman to compete at the Olympics, Shaherkani, a 16-year-old from Mecca, did not overstay her welcome.