Judo president Foloko elated with judokas performance at Africa Judo Championship
By Noah Silomba
Zambia Judo Association president Alfred Foloko has jiggled judokas currently in Algeria for the Africa Judo Championship for their hard work and good performance.
The judokas Simon Zulu, Stephen Mung’andu, and Rita Kabinda stepped on the tatami and put up a good fight.
In the 60kg, Simon Zulu category won the fight against Côte d’Ivoire’s Evrard Monney and lost his second fight to Issam Bassou of Morocco making him go for the bronze medal contest.
Stephen Mung’andu in the 66kgs equally managed to win his fight against Mozambique’s Nassone Mauro and proceeded to the second round to win Imad Bassou of Morocco and subsequently progressed to the semi-final where he was contesting for a bronze medal which he later won after beating Senegal’s Ibrahima Thior.
Meanwhile, Rita Kabinda exhibited a good fight in the first round and ended up losing against Tunisia’s Mouna Mannaii.
The performances of the judokas caught the attention of Zambia Judo president Alfred Foloko who has described it as a good start to preparing for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
‘’As Zambia judo president I am elated by the performance of judokas. This was our first outing after Tokyo 2020 games and they will not break camp once the championship is done as they are expected to join the Birmingham games in the camp until departure’’ he says.
Meanwhile, Foloko who also serves as Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa (ANOCA) Zone Six president and Africa Judo Vice president says it is heart-warming to note that countries from his region have minted medals stating this shows that the region has put in more efforts to develop the sport of judo.
Other countries which have minted medals include; Angola with gold, and South Africa with bronze medals.
Foloko added that previously the championship would see North and West Africa minting medals as the Southern part ended in being competition participants.
The 43rd Africa Judo Championship taking place in Oran, Algeria will run till 29th May 2022 and has attracted several countries.
? Africa Judo Union
