Algeria Crowned African Judo Champions at Nairobi 2026 Senior Championships

Algeria secured the top position at the 47th African Senior Judo Championships held in Nairobi, Kenya, from April 24 to 25, 2026, claiming a total of nine medals including four gold, one silver, and four bronze in the individual events.

The competition brought together 261 judokas from 35 nations across Africa, with 160 male and 101 female athletes participating in the continental showdown at the Moi International Sports Centre in Nairobi.

According to official results from the International Judo Federation, Algeria led the medal standings with four gold medals, followed by Tunisia with three golds, Egypt with two golds, and Angola and Morocco each securing two gold medals.

The Algerian team’s performance was highlighted by their dominance across multiple weight classes, contributing to their overall championship victory in the individual competition segment of the event.

During the opening ceremony on April 23, Mohamed Meridja, Vice-President of the African Judo Union, emphasized the growth of the sport on the continent: “African judo continues to grow stronger and more ambitious. Each edition reflects the progress of our athletes as well as the commitment of the federations to excellence, discipline, and unity.”

The championships featured a comprehensive schedule, with Day 1 preliminaries beginning at 09:30 local time (06:30 GMT) for men’s -60 kg, -66 kg, and -73 kg categories, and women’s -48 kg, -52 kg, -57 kg, and -63 kg divisions. The final block commenced at 17:00 local time (14:00 GMT).

On Day 2, preliminaries started at 10:00 local time (07:00 GMT) for men’s -81 kg, -90 kg, -100 kg, and +100 kg categories, and women’s -70 kg, -78 kg, and +78 kg divisions, with the final block beginning at 16:31 local time (13:31 GMT).

A mixed team competition was scheduled for Sunday, April 26, further emphasizing the spirit of unity and cooperation among participating nations following the conclusion of individual events on Saturday.

The event drew significant participation, with records showing 28 athletes in the men’s -60 kg category, 30 in -66 kg, 29 in -73 kg, 22 in -81 kg, 23 in -90 kg, 12 in -100 kg, and 16 in the +100 kg division. For women, there were 15 competitors in -48 kg, 15 in -52 kg, 18 in -57 kg, 16 in -63 kg, 12 in -70 kg, 11 in -78 kg, and 14 in the +78 kg category.

Officials from the African Judo Union stressed the importance of adhering to competition rules and procedures to ensure the smooth operation of the championships throughout the weekend.

As the continental judo season progresses, Algeria’s triumph at Nairobi 2026 positions them as a leading force ahead of upcoming international competitions, including qualification events for major global tournaments.

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