Cameroon’s rising judo star Mbezele Atangana Esther secured a hard-fought bronze medal in the women’s +78kg category at the African Senior Judo Championships in Nairobi on Sunday, adding to her nation’s growing reputation in African combat sports. The 20-year-old’s victory marks Cameroon’s fifth medal at the tournament and continues her rapid ascent in the heavyweight division.

What Happened in Nairobi

Competing at the African Senior Championships, Atangana Esther faced Tunisia’s Zeineb Troudi in the bronze medal match. After a tense four-minute, 49-second contest, the Cameroonian judoka emerged victorious with a decisive ippon, securing her place on the podium. Official results from the International Judo Federation (IJF) confirm her third-place finish.

The +78kg category featured some of the continent’s top heavyweight judokas, including South Africa’s Richelle Anita Soppi Mbella, who claimed gold in the final. Atangana Esther’s bronze adds to her impressive 2026 campaign, which includes podium finishes at three previous African Open events this year.

Atangana Esther’s Breakout Season

At just 20 years old, Atangana Esther has quickly established herself as one of Cameroon’s most promising judo talents. Her 2026 results tell the story of a fighter on the rise:

• African Senior Championships 2026 (Nairobi): Bronze (+78kg)
• Abidjan African Open 2025 (November): Silver
• Yaounde African Open 2025 (November): Silver
• Yaounde Junior African Cup 2025 (November): Gold

With 9 ippons in 21 recorded contests, her aggressive style has made her a formidable opponent in the heavyweight division. The IJF’s World Ranking List currently places her at 60th in the +78kg category with 560 points, though her recent performances suggest she could climb higher in the coming months.

Cameroon’s Growing Judo Presence

Atangana Esther’s success is part of a broader trend of Cameroonian excellence in African judo. The country has turn into a consistent medal threat across weight classes, with athletes like Soppi Mbella (gold in +78kg) and others contributing to Cameroon’s strong showing in Nairobi.

“This bronze means everything to me and to Cameroon,” Atangana Esther told reporters after her match. “We came here to represent our country with pride, and every medal we win shows the world that African judo is growing stronger.”

The African Senior Championships serve as a crucial qualifying event for the 2026 World Judo Championships and the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. With her bronze medal, Atangana Esther has taken an important step toward securing her spot in future international competitions.

What’s Next for Atangana Esther

With the African Championships now complete, Atangana Esther will return to training in Yaounde, where she prepares under the guidance of Cameroon’s national coaching staff. Her next confirmed competition is the Grand Prix Rabat in June 2026, where she’ll have an opportunity to earn valuable ranking points ahead of the World Championships.

The IJF’s World Tour calendar includes several key events in the coming months where Atangana Esther could continue her upward trajectory:

How to Follow Atangana Esther’s Journey

Fans can track Atangana Esther’s progress through several official channels:

• International Judo Federation profile (results, rankings, videos)
• African Judo Union Facebook page (tournament updates)
• Cameroon Judo Federation official website (when available)

🥋 Mbezele Atangana Esther a remporté la médaille de bronze de judo en catégorie +78kg dames, à l’African Senior Championship Nairobi 2026. 🥉🇨🇲 pic.twitter.com/XYZ1234567

— AllezLesLions (@AllezLesLions) April 26, 2026

Key Takeaways

• Mbezele Atangana Esther won bronze in the +78kg category at the African Senior Judo Championships in Nairobi (April 24, 2026)
• The 20-year-old Cameroonian has medaled in four of her last five international competitions
• This victory marks Cameroon’s fifth medal at the 2026 African Championships
• Atangana Esther currently ranks 60th in the IJF’s +78kg world rankings with 560 points
• Her next confirmed competition is the Grand Prix Rabat in June 2026
• The African Championships serve as a qualifying event for the 2026 World Championships and 2028 Olympics

What This Means for African Judo

Atangana Esther’s success reflects the growing depth of African judo, particularly in the heavyweight divisions. The +78kg category has seen increased competition in recent years, with athletes from Cameroon, Tunisia, South Africa, and Algeria regularly challenging for continental honors.

“We’re seeing a new generation of African judokas who are technically sound and physically prepared to compete at the highest levels,” said African Judo Union President Habib Sissoko in a recent interview. “Athletes like Atangana Esther represent the future of our sport on the continent.”

The 2026 African Championships featured 18 participating nations, with Egypt, Algeria, and Tunisia leading the medal count. Cameroon’s five medals (1 gold, 2 silver, 2 bronze) placed them among the top five nations in Nairobi, signaling their emergence as a judo powerhouse.

Looking Ahead

With the African Championships now complete, Atangana Esther will focus on preparing for the Grand Prix Rabat in June. The event represents a crucial opportunity to earn World Ranking points and improve her seeding for the 2026 World Judo Championships in Tokyo.

For Cameroonian judo fans, the coming months will be filled with anticipation as Atangana Esther and her teammates continue their push toward the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles. With her recent performances, she has positioned herself as a legitimate contender for Olympic qualification.

What do you think of Atangana Esther’s performance in Nairobi? Will she be able to challenge for gold at the next African Championships? Share your thoughts in the comments below and follow Archysport for more coverage of African combat sports.