Africa-Press – Angola. Judokas Edmilson Pedro (-66kg) and Diassonema Neide (-63kg) are close to reaching the minimum score required for participation in the “Paris’2024” Olympic Games in France.
The information was provided by a member of the African Judo Confederation, Antónia de Fátima “Faia“, at the African OPEN, which ended Sunday, at the multipurpose pavilion in Kilamba, with the two athletes winning three gold medals in their respective categories.
The African judo champion, who currently practices MMA, said that the qualification process is continuous and includes scoring in international competitions, adding that Edmilson and Neide have been doing well in this path.
He recalled that both also won the African OPEN in Dakar, Yaoundé, in November 2022, now becoming favorites at the continent level for next year’s Olympic Games either through quotation or by the world minimums.
In the opinion of the athlete, who was at the Olympic Games in Beijing ́2008, London ́2012 and Rio de Janeiro ́2016, this possibility gains greater strength due to the positioning of both in the continental ranking, where Edmilson is in 38th and Diassonema in 84th position.
However, Faia defends their participation in the African Championship, in September, in Morocco and in the World Championship, in Qatar, in May, so that the possibility of successive points is maintained until the time of the definitive selection.
Organization of African OPEN
About this, the former judoka of the National Team said it was an opportunity for Angola to show organizational capacity with the African Confederation, in particular.
On the other hand, it made it possible to give competitive training to national judokas, who were often absent from African and world competitions due to lack of funds.
Another impactful gain arising from holding the race in the country, according to th interviewee, is the fact that for four days young athletes and others were motivated, opening up better prospects for the sport in the future.
Angola won the OPEN with a total of 29 medals, including five gold, the same number of silver and 19 bronze.
Senegal follows, in second place, with three gold, two silver and four bronze medals and Cotê d’Ivoire, third, with two gold, one silver and one bronze medal.
Previously, Angola had already won the African Cup for cadets and juniors, played between Thursday and Friday, also at the Kilamba pavilion. JAD/MC
Edmilson Pedro (-66kg), Barros Leonardo (-60kg), More Rodrigues (+78kg), Wilson Afonso (-81kg) and Diassonema Neide (-63kg) won a gold medal each.
Silver medals were won by Marcelo Pedro (-60kg), António Candiero (-73kg), Adriano Tchessende (-90kg), Naya Santos (+78kg) and Andreza António (-57kg).
Among the 19 athletes who won the bronze medal are Júlio Salvador (-60kg), Hélder Miguel, Leonardo André (-66kg), Antunes Vunge (-81 kg), Nega Silva, Manuel Camoni (-90kg), Sílvio Mateus and Dário Antonio (-100 kg).
Poster da Silva (+100), Vânia Gabriel, Meiry Magalhães (-48kg), Jeovana Freire (57kg), Domingas Jaime, Crisila Alberto (-63kg), Maria Niangi (-70kg), Fátima César, Aicha Rebeca (-78kg) , Joaquina Silva and Garibaldina Bediente (+78kg) are also bronze medalists.
The national combination surpassed Senegal, second classified, with three gold, two silver and four bronze, Cotê d’Ivoire, third, with two gold, one silver and one bronze.
Senior African OPEN was anticipated by the African Cup in cadets and juniors, competitions also won by Angolan athletes.
The next edition will take place in the Ivorian city of Abidjan, next June.
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