Sports

Judo championship: Japan Ambassador commends athletes  for excellent display

 The 22nd Japan Ambassa­dor’s Judo Championships came off at the Accra Sports Stadium on Saturday with a massive turnout by practitioners across the country.

The event formed part of activities to mark the Japan Week celebrations which bounced back after three-year hiatus, following the COVID-19 outbreak.

At the end of the exciting dis­play, the Ambassador Mochizuki Hisanobu commended practi­tioners, especially young Judokas for their efforts in the develop­ment of the sport in Ghana.

Mr Mochizuki said he was excited the sport was becoming very popular in the country and efforts were being made towards its promotion.

“It is excited to see young Judokas display some great skills which means there is a huge future for the sport on Ghana,” he stated.

He congratulated the winners for their efforts and urged them to continue training for subse­quent championships.

On his part, the Director General (Technical) of the National Sports Authority (NSA) Mr Kwame Amponfi Jnr, said he was delighted to witness Judokas compete for glory.

“It is important to promote sporting disciplines like this to give young athletes options as far as sports in Ghana is concerned,” he stated.

The NSA, he said, was commit­ted to supporting and providing the platform for all sporting disci­plines in Ghana to excel.

President of Ghana Judo, Mr Emmanuel Tetteh, expressed appreciation to the Embassy of Japan for their continuous support to the Judo Association.

The championship which fea­tured Judokas in the juniors and seniors categories, produced some interesting results.

The boys’ under-18 category saw young enterprising Isaac Wil­liams taking the first position with Emmanuel Sarpong and Abdul Rahman Nii Ofei Dodoo and Kwabena Twum Boafo placing second and third respectively.

The female division also saw es­tablished Esther Anane emerging as the winner with Nhyira Twum Baah and Felicia Koranteng plac­ing second and third in that order.

The elite division in the 60kg men had Daniel Quansah as the winner with Jones Ofori Mintah placing second. Selorm Kwaku Amega put up an impressive out­ing to place third.

BY MICHAEL D.ABAYATEYE

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