32nd Japanese Ambassador’s Judo Tournament

  On 27th November, the Embassy of Japan in the Republic of Zambia and the Zambia Judo Association co-hosted the 32nd Japanese Ambassador’s Judo Tournament while adhering to the COVID-19 preventive measures at the Olympic Youth Development Centre (OYDC).
 
  About 200 male and female Judokas participated in the individual competitions according to their age and gender, for 8 categories and for the group championship, the teams comprised of mixed gender and age group.
 
  H. E. Mr. MIZUUCHI Ryuta, Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Zambia, and Mr. Alfred Foloko, President of the National Olympic Committee of Zambia and the President of the Zambia Judo Association, addressed the gathering before the finals and on behalf of Honourable Elvis Nkandu, Minister of Youth, Sport and Arts Mr. Kangwa Chileshe, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry, read a message.
 
  Ambassador MIZUUCHI congratulated the Zambian Judokas on the development of Judo as one of Zambia’s strongest disciplines in sport and their third consecutive appearance at this year's Tokyo Olympic Games, which was met with thunderous applause from the audience.
 
  The winners received their awards. The results in this tournament are so significant that they may count towards the selection for the national team.
 
  The Embassy of Japan hopes that the annual Japanese Ambassador’s Judo Tournament will help further development of Judo in Zambia, and promote cultural exchanges between Japan and Zambia, contributing to mutual understanding between the two nations.
 
  To read the speech made by by Ambassador Mr. MIZUUCHI at this event, please click here.