(By Vinjeru Ngwira)
The Southern African Judo Confederation (SAJC) has staged the Southern African Judo Championships in Lusaka, Zambia, bringing together some of the region’s finest athletes for a high-level competition held at the Olympic Youth Development Centre. The event has created a platform for judokas to test their skills, gain international exposure, and measure their progress against top talent from across Southern Africa.
The championship is a key part of the region’s preparations for major upcoming international competitions, notably the Region 5 Games set to take place in Maputo for cadet (Under-17) athletes, as well as the prestigious Commonwealth Games for senior competitors. As such, the tournament is not only about medals but also serves as a critical assessment stage for athletes and coaches as they fine-tune their readiness for these global events.
Over the course of two days, the competition has attracted strong participation from across Southern Africa, with countries including South Africa, Malawi, Botswana, Zambia, and Zimbabwe sending teams to compete. The diversity and quality of participants have added intensity to the bouts, making the championship a highly competitive and closely watched regional showcase.
Malawi has entered a 15-member squad into the tournament, consisting of nine cadet athletes and six senior fighters. The team is aiming to make a strong impact, using the championship as an opportunity to demonstrate growth and competitiveness on the regional stage while building confidence ahead of future assignments.
The country has already registered encouraging results in the cadet division, where Angel Madimba delivered an impressive performance to win a silver medal, while Happiness Mtukula also stood out by securing a bronze medal. These achievements have provided an early boost for Team Malawi and highlighted the potential within the country’s emerging judo talent.
Attention now turns to the senior category, which takes centre stage today, Sunday, April 5, 2026, as the championship progresses into its next phase. With experienced fighters set to step onto the mat, expectations are high for more competitive action as teams continue their quest for regional glory.