CAIRO – Egypt’s national judo team reaffirmed its continental dominance with a commanding display at the African Judo Championships for Juniors and Youth held in Luanda, collecting 25 medals (8 gold, 6 silver, 11 bronze) in a tournament that featured over 160 athletes from 16 African nations.
Mats mastered
Egypt’s rising judokas turned in a string of commanding performances at the African Junior and Youth Championships, clinching a slew of medals across weight classes in both the men’s and women’s divisions.
Among the early medalists, Ahmed Bahaa Abu Zeid opened Egypt’s account with bronze in the 40kg category, sealing victory over a Moroccan rival by ippon. Habiba El-Sayed added another bronze in the 52kg class, defeating an Angolan opponent, while Ahmed Bahaa El-Din impressed in the 73kg division, overpowering Algeria’s champion to secure third place.
Mariam Amir stood out as a class act in the 57kg division, marching to gold and reinforcing her reputation as one of Egypt’s top female prospects. Her success was mirrored by a number of judokas who advanced to the finals and medal contention.
In the heavier divisions, Abdullah Hamdy dominated the +90kg class, later showcasing his versatility by also capturing the +100kg title. Youssef Khaled Ali was equally impressive, taking gold in the 66kg category, while Ali Al-Ramly topped the podium in the 81kg division, and Mohamed Hani reigned supreme in the 90kg class.
On the women’s side, Safaa Suleiman delivered a golden performance in the 78kg division, rounding off a stellar showing for Egypt’s female contingent.
Several athletes narrowly missed the top step but still made significant contributions. Mahmoud Haitham (50kg), Yassin Mohamed Said (55kg), and Ali Abdel Khalek (60kg) all claimed silver after strong final appearances. Ali Mustafa grabbed silver in the 100kg class, while Aiten Ahmed Gamal (78kg) and Sajda Moussa (63kg) earned silver in the women’s competition.
Bronze medals further solidified Egypt’s presence on the podium. On the men’s side, standout performers included Ahmed Ihab (50kg), Ahmed Bahaa (73kg), Hazem Hossam (90kg), Yahya Mustafa (+100kg), and Yassin Mohamed Sabra (60kg).
For the women, Farida Magdy (70kg), Mariam Abdel Ghani (63kg), Habiba El-Sayed (52kg), Nada Ahmed El-Sayed (70kg), Aiten Ahmed (+70kg), and Mariam Amir Salama (57kg) rounded out Egypt’s rich bronze medal haul.
Additional notable performances came from Yasin Amr (66kg) and Mariam Abdel Rahman (70kg), both of whom battled through tough knockout rounds to defeat Moroccan and Tunisian opponents respectively and secure bronze.
From lightweights to heavyweights, and across both genders, Egypt’s judokas showcased depth, determination, and dominance—underlining their status as a continental judo powerhouse.
Team prevails
Egypt’s U-20 team capped off its campaign by winning the African Judo Team Championship, routing host nation Angola 4-0 in the final. The squad also defeated Tunisia 4-2 in the semis, showcasing consistent strength throughout the tournament.
This continental crown reaffirms Egypt’s growing stature in youth judo, coming shortly after the senior team captured gold in the mixed team event at the African Championships held in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire last April.
Seniors rule
Egypt’s rise was echoed in April, when the senior national team delivered a stellar performance at the African Judo Championship hosted in Cairo, topping the medal table with 8 medals: 3 gold, 2 silver, and 3 bronze.
The event featured 185 athletes from 35 African nations, and served as a key qualifier for the Paris 2024 Olympics, offering 700 points to gold medal winners.
Egypt’s commanding showing across both junior and senior levels underscores its rise as a continental judo powerhouse.
Official praise
Minister of Youth and Sports, Dr. Ashraf Sobhi, extended his congratulations to the Egyptian Judo Federation—led by Mohamed Motee—and the national team for the landmark results in Luanda, Angola.
The minister praised the judokas’ dominant performance, particularly their decisive victory over host nation Angola in the final, describing it as a historic feat that reinforces Egypt’s growing stature on the continental and global sports stage.
“This is a historic achievement and a proud moment for Egyptian sports. The team’s performance in Luanda showcases our investment in youth and the power of strategic planning,” he said.
Olympic ambitions
Team members expressed pride in representing Egypt on the continental stage.
Yasri Sami Mahmoud emphasized the importance of the result as a step toward global and Olympic competitions.
Abdullah Abdel-Sami and Abdul Rahman Abdel Ghani both dedicated the victory to Egypt, stressing the unity and resilience of the team.
Mohamed Masoud highlighted the emotional moment of hearing Egypt’s national anthem on the podium.
Federation President Mohamed Motee hailed the achievement as the result of “strategic planning, player dedication, and collective effort.”
With 17 athletes (10 men and 7 women) competing, Egypt made a resounding statement as a continental judo powerhouse. From youth to senior level, Egypt’s judokas are building momentum—with Los Angeles 2028 Olympic ambitions firmly in sight.
