35th Japanese Ambassador’s Judo Tournament

　On 23rd and 24th August, the Embassy of Japan in the Republic of Zambia and the Judo Association of Zambia co-hosted the 35th Japanese Ambassador’s Judo Tournament at the OYDC Zambia Sports Development Centre.
　More than 500 judokas participated in this tournament, which featured individual competitions divided by gender, age group and weight, as well as team tournaments with mixed genders and age groups. There were also participants from Mayukwayukwa Refugee Resettlement and neighbouring Zimbabwe.
 　At the tournament, following the national anthems of both countries performed by students from the International School of Lusaka under the direction of Ms. Hirayama, music director of the school, H.E. Mr. TAKEUCHI Kazuyuki, Ambassador of Japan to the Republic of Zambia, Mr. Alfred Foloko, Development Commitment Director of the International Judo Federation (IJF), and Mr. Benjamin Tembo, Acting CEO of OYDC Zambia Sports Development Centre, addressed the gathering. Ambassador Takeuchi cited the contribution of a Japanese judo instructor Mr. MATSUSHITA Bunji, who visited Zambia in 1970 as one of the Japan Overseas Cooperation Volunteers, as an example of the bond between Japan and Zambia through judo. He said judo teaches values such as friendship, respect, perseverance, mutual welfare, and self-defense, and that these principles have the power to unite people across nations and cultures, fostering peach and understanding. Mr. Foloko expressed his enthusiasm for promoting judo in schools and local communities, encouraging people to practice the values of judo in their day to day lives. He stated that negative vices such as substance abuse can be nipped in the bud using judo values to ensure a more disciplined and productive society.
　The winners received their awards. The results of this tournament are so significant that they count towards selection to the national team. In addition, many judokas are active in the police and military wings of government, so training in judo opens up opportunities for young people to obtain stable jobs that contribute to society in the future.
　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 Ambassador Takeuchi at this event, please click here.