Evaluation of the African participation to the Tokyo World Championships

Hopes and Disappointments

It is in a great atmosphere that were launched the World championships of Judo which were held in Tokyo from 9 till 13 September 2010, in the Yogogi National Gymnasium. This sporting judo event coincides with the 150th Anniversary of the birth of Jigoro KANO, the founding father of Judo.
Important means and human resources were mobilized by the Japanese to make of this event a shop window of their favourite sport the Judo, and at the same time to emphasize the technical skills of their athletes. A record participation of countries was registered (111 nations) with a total of 847 entered athletes. The Africans marked their presence with a participation of 17 nations, a slight increase in comparison with the last edition of Rotterdam 2009. A rather interesting representation of the African Continent to confirm and assert an attendance to this annual event of the International Federation of Judo, chaired by Mr Marius VIZER.
These world championships of Tokyo were a rather missed opportunity for the Africans in spite of the bronze medal of The Egyptian in the category of +100 kg, which was a good and objective result for this athlete. However, we have to acknowledge that this medal constitutes the tree which hides the forest.
Nevertheless much hope was invested on certain athletes who had distinguishing results in the last Olympics of Beijing like the Algerian Soraya HADDAD who gleaned the bronze medal in the category of-52Kg. In TokyoThis last one was eliminated in the first qualifying round leaving a bitter taste to all of those who have dreamed of a podium for her.

The bitterness was already displayed with the defeat of the big Algerian judoka Amar BENYEKHLEF in the category of -90 kg at the conclusion of the second round with a Dutch judoka who was in his reach. Let’s remind and call back that in Beijing he had achieved a great success by winning a silver medal. The Tunisians women are not outside this sporting wreck. A deep disappointment from MILED Houda and CHIKHROUHOU Nihel who did not pass the first qualifying rounds. Lot of questioning which will remain with probably no replies. As no explanations come to enlighten our lantern we suppose that the crushing defeat could be attributed to some wounds or inadequate preparation to this major. If things follow this rhythm and no therapy of shock is introduced the dream of London will be just an illusion and mirage. In the category of -81 kg the Moroccan Safouane ATTAF registered a good course by winning three contests. However, according to Nacer OUARAB who was present during this top competition as a member of the Education and Coaching Commission, this athlete could have done much better in consideration of his various positive performances in important international tournaments in which he had taken part this year. In the category of -73 kg the Egyptian HAFIZ Hussein who managed to qualify himself in the quarterfinals was defeated by Nyam-Ochir SAINJARGAL from Mongolia. The judoka of Emmanuel NARTEY from Ghana succeeded to pass two qualifying rounds.

The Zambians made an honorable result. PUNZA Mathews in -66 kg won two contests his fellow countryman Boas MUNYONGA made a good exploit by beating by ippon Sherai BOZOROV from Tajikistan.

The opening of the new IJF Olympic Preparation Center in Algiers is a good opportunity, not the least, to seize to heighten and improve the level of the African Judo and begin to undertake new perspectives to make of the African judo a full element of the African sports movement and a factor of irreversible development. Besides, the scholarships of preparation which will be allocated very shortly by the Olympic Solidarity to about twenty athletes is a great support for the coming two years. The dream is always allowed if it is accompanied with real ambitions and strategies of the African countries to compete with the other nations. It is useful to quote the great results of the athletes of the land of the rising sun. At the conclusion of the event the Japanese harvested not less than 23 medals on a total of 64. That is a little more than 30 %. A figure which does not leave indifferent the actors of the world OF judo. A story to be followed up…