232news
By Allieu Bockarie
This past Saturday 5th March, the Karate and Judo Federation in Sierra Leone organized a championship in collaboration with the Japanese Embassy in Sierra Leone.
The above event is a yearly event but did not take place last year due to the outbreak of the COVID-19 in the world.
The two championships took place at the YWCA New Hall, Brookfields in Freetown. The two Federations took the championship as part of their qualifying for the upcoming international competitions.
In this case, the champions stand chance to represent Sierra Leone in international competitions. After the Karate championship medals were presented to the various winners by the Japanese Console, the NOC president Prince Sualley and other association presidents were at the program.
The Judo program started just after the Karate program. In the Judo program, Judokas compete in various weight categories for men and women.
At the end of the Judo championship, certificates were given to the champions and the runner-up in the various weight categories.
In his statement, the Japanese Ambassador His Excellency Hisanobu Mochizuki told the Judokas that he was impressed with their performance and that they are all winners and there is no loser.
He encouraged them to continue the good form and press hard to qualify for the France Olympic Games next year.
The NOC president Prince Sualley told the athletes that their president is his Vice President and he will work with him to develop Judo in Sierra Leone.
The Judo president Idrisa Massaquoi told the Judokas to be serious with their training, noting that, the championship is part of their qualifiers and the winners will be called for national training and at the end, those who qualify will go to training camp for the Olympic Games qualification.
