After the second and final day of individual competition, the answer was clear; Algeria held strong. With an impressive total of four gold medals, one silver and four bronze, they confirmed their status as the leading force of this edition.
Behind them, however, the standings evolved. Tunisia climbed to second place with three gold medals, two silver and two bronze, showcasing both depth and consistency. Egypt, absent from the top three after day one, surged into third position thanks to two gold medals, supported by four additional finalists and three bronze medal winners.
Although Angola slipped slightly in the rankings, their overall performance remained remarkable. A further gold medal, secured on the second day, brought them level with Egypt for golds, with the difference decided by silver medals. Their consistency confirms Angola as one of the continent’s rising powers.
Elsewhere, several nations made their mark. South Africa, without a medal after the opening day, surged to sixth place thanks to a superb gold medal performance in the -81 kg category, sealed with a spectacular ippon from Timothy Meuwsen. Meanwhile, Niger, Madagascar, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Mali and Mauritius all leave Nairobi with medals, underlining the growing depth and reach of judo across Africa.
One of the most emotional moments of the championships came courtesy of the host nation. Kenya celebrated a memorable bronze medal in the -78 kg category, a result that ignited the crowd inside the Kasarani Competition Hall. In a gripping golden score contest, where victory could have gone either way, a perfectly timed counter-attack by Zeddy Cherotich secured the medal, releasing two days of tension and joy in a single moment. For the home fans, it was worth more than just a medal.
Across both days, the level of competition was exceptional. Athletes displayed total commitment, producing dynamic and often spectacular judo. Among the standout moments was Ryan Dacosta (SEN)’s delivery of a stunning performance in the -90 kg category. Trailing on the scoreboard, he turned the contest around in the final seconds with a magnificent kata-guruma, very much in the style of Saeid Mollaei, to secure a place on the podium in dramatic fashion. It was one of many ippon throws that electrified the crowd and highlighted the technical quality on display.
Behind this success lies the dedication of the organisers, whose efforts ensured that every athlete could perform in optimal conditions. Their commitment, alongside the support of officials and volunteers, played a crucial role in delivering an event of international standard.
While the individual competition has concluded, the championships are far from over. Attention now turns to the mixed team event, where nations will once again unite in pursuit of victory. If the past two days are any indication, more excitement is guaranteed. All the action can be followed live on JudoTV.com.
In Nairobi, African judo has once again demonstrated its strength, its passion and its unstoppable rise.
Photos © AJU