Algeria Dominates African Senior Judo Championships 2026 in Nairobi with Medal Sweep

Algeria claimed the top spot in the overall medal standings at the 2026 African Senior Judo Championships held in Nairobi, Kenya, from April 24–25, 2026, according to official results from the International Judo Federation. The North African nation finished with four gold medals, one silver and four bronze medals, edging out Tunisia and Egypt in a tightly contested competition.

The championships took place at a venue in Nairobi over two days of individual competition, with Algeria’s judokas delivering a strong performance across multiple weight classes. On the opening day, April 24, Algerian athletes secured five medals — three gold and two bronze — setting the tone for the team’s success.

Yasmine Jellab won gold in the women’s -63 kg category, defeating Tunisia’s Maram J’Mour in the final. Kaïs Modthir claimed gold in the men’s -66 kg division after overcoming Angola’s Pedro Edmilson. Idriss Massoud rounded out the gold medal sweep for Algeria on day one by defeating Morocco’s Hassan Doukkali in the men’s -73 kg final.

The two bronze medals on the first day came from Younes Ben Laârebi in the men’s -60 kg class and Anaïs Lesya Kheli in the women’s -52 kg division. Their performances contributed to Algeria’s early momentum in the team standings.

On the second day of competition, April 25, Algeria added to its tally with two more bronze medals. Abdessalam Belhout earned third place in the men’s -81 kg category, while Rayan Zakaria Benatia secured bronze in the men’s -100 kg division. These results brought Algeria’s total medal count to seven after two days — three gold and four bronze — before the final day’s events.

Several other Algerian judokas reached the finals in their respective categories, signaling potential for additional medals. Mohamed Mehdi Lili advanced to the final in the men’s +100 kg class, and Dihia Ben Chalal reached the championship match in the women’s +78 kg division. Their appearances in the title bouts highlighted the depth of Algeria’s squad, which consisted of 18 athletes competing across 16 weight classes.

According to the official standings published by the IJF, Algeria led the medal table with four gold, one silver, and four bronze medals. Tunisia followed in second place with three gold, two silver, and two bronze, while Egypt claimed third with two gold, four silver, and three bronze. Angola and Morocco completed the top five.

The competition featured 261 judokas from 35 nations across five continents, including 160 male and 101 female athletes. Events were held over two days, with elimination rounds beginning each morning at 9:30 a.m. Local time (6:30 a.m. GMT) and final blocks starting in the late afternoon at 5:00 p.m. Local time (2:00 p.m. GMT) on day one and 4:31 p.m. Local time (1:31 p.m. GMT) on day two.

Algeria’s performance marked a continuation of its strong presence in African judo, building on recent continental success. The team’s ability to medal across both men’s and women’s divisions underscored its depth and preparation heading into the championships.

With the individual events concluded, the competition shifted to mixed-team events on April 26, where Algeria aimed to extend its medal haul. The squad’s results in Nairobi positioned it as a leading force in African judo heading into the next continental cycle.

For ongoing updates on the African Judo Championships and other international judo events, readers can follow the official competition calendar through the International Judo Federation’s website.

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