Zanzibar’s growing strength in judo was on display at the Judo Ambassador Cup after its athletes secured seven medals, including two gold, in a tournament that brought together clubs and competitors from across the country.
Mohammed Hamis Juma, Secretary-General of the Zanzibar Judo Association and coach of the Zanzibar national team, said the results reflected the team’s preparations while highlighting the tournament’s growing competitiveness.
“Zanzibar performed well and won seven medals, so we are satisfied with the results,” Juma said.
He said the increasing number of participating clubs and athletes had raised the standard of competition, giving judokas a valuable opportunity to assess their abilities against stronger opponents.
Beyond the medals, Juma said the tournament was important in identifying emerging talent that could eventually strengthen Zanzibar’s national team.
The team will now turn its attention to the Budokan Cup scheduled for December, which Juma said would provide another opportunity to assess athletes and identify potential national-team prospects.
Zanzibar judoka Hamis Ali said the Ambassador Cup had also helped athletes gain valuable competitive experience by bringing together competitors from different clubs.
Ali competed in the under-60kg category before taking on a further challenge in the Open category, where athletes compete against opponents regardless of their weight.
“Competing against someone outside your weight category is not easy because judo competitions are based on weight. But the Open category gives you a chance to prove your ability. Winning a medal shows that you have the talent and capacity to compete,” Ali said.
He said the growing participation of clubs and athletes was a positive development for judo, particularly as younger competitors continued to demonstrate strong potential.
Ali said continued exposure to competitive tournaments, coupled with proper training, could help these emerging judokas develop into athletes capable of representing Tanzania at international level.
The performance at the Ambassador Cup therefore gives Zanzibar’s judo fraternity further impetus to invest in talent development as it seeks to build a stronger pipeline of athletes for national and international competition.
