Joshua Nyondo has become the first Zambia judoka at the ongoing 2nd African youth games to mint a medal after he defeated Moravily Sahera of Madagascar.
Nyondo also out shinned South Africa’s Wessel Christian Boshoff before losing to Dihang Mbang of Cameroon in the semi finals of 55 KG category Judo competition to settle for bronze at tournament held at Ditshupo hall in Gaborone.
Nyondo defeated Moravily Sahera of Madagascar with an Ippon which is equal to 100 points in their first fight to qualify for the quarterfinals where he battled South Africa’s Wessel Christian
Boshoff.
However the female judoka Mary Kayemba who was supposed to fight in the same category with her Zambian counterpart did not fight after all her contenders were disqualified due to overweight.
Zambia has only sent two judokas, a boy and a girl in the Judo competition .
Speaking after being crowned winner of Bronze, Nyondo thanked his coaches, team mates and the National Olympic Committee of Zambia for allowing him to compete at the tournament and for the school sponsorship.
17 year-old Nyondo, currently a grade 11 at Kamwala Secondary school, expressed was happy to become the first Zambian to mint a medal.
He pledged , in an interview with ZANIS sports last evening , to work hard and reap Gold at the next tournament should he be picked to compete again.
And Judo Junior National coach Ackson Mulemwa was happy that his judoka has reaped a medal but noted that Zambia could have reaped more medals if it had sent many judokas to participate in all the
categories at the competition.
Mulemwa observed that even if the competition is tough at the tournament Zambia judoka could have handled the pressure and rough home more medals.
If the competition is rough I wish the all the people taking part all the best.