Algerian and Tunisian judoka deliver at last day in Dakar

Algeria was expected and delivered at the third and last day of the African Championships in Dakar. With two gold medals and four finallists Algeria made a strong comeback in the medal tally. Tunisia claimed two titles as well by both heavyweights Faicel Jaballah and Nihel Cheikhrouhou.

Let’s start with Algeria that had the oldest winner in Abderrahmane Benamadi, the 35 year old fighter who bagged gold U90kg. He became the second oldest man to win the African Championships this century. His compatriot Lyes Bouyacoub was just a few days older in 2019 in Cape Town. Benamadi defeated Kwadjo Anani of Ghana. Anani booked the best ever performance of Ghana this century, never a judoka of Ghana was in the final of African Championships.

Another gold medal for Algeria was achieved by Mustapha Yasser Bouamar U100kg. The former African Junior Champion struck with gold after he defeated Koussay Ben Ghares of Tunisia in the final.

Tunisia though was able to win the gold in the men’s heavyweight category. Faicel Jaballah claimed his twelfth African title and eighth in the category +100kg. Jaballah overcame Mohamed Belrekaa in the final.

The second gold medal for Tunisia was captured by Nihel Cheikh Rouhou, the absolute favourite +78kg. Her titles are almost countless, she won over 20 African titles, her first in 2007 at the African Games and she had won the double African title in 2011 in Dakar at the previous tournament in Senegal. In the final she defeated her rival Sonia Asselah of Algeria. Cheikh Rouhou also overcame Algerian Meroua Mammeri in the semi final. Tunisia won the medal table with five titles this championship and 14 medals overall.

One gold medal was left to mention. Democratic Republic of Congo again took a gold medal, Marie Branser who came out for Germany for years, again won the gold medal and seems to have made the dream to qualify for the Olympic Games with this gold medal. It wasn’t easy in the beginning and certainly in a corona period to be able to train, but in this competitive category Branser was able to retain the gold. Branser defeated Hafsa Yatim in the final U78kg.