Daniel Kelly put up an impressive performance in the 48kg category to secure bronze for Kenya in an action-packed encounter with Burundian Ayoub Elmessai.
“I thank God for this win and I apologise to my fans and the entire country at large for not winning the gold medal but we live to fight another day,” a teary Daniel said.
Another Kenyan, Dama Martha had the fans on their toes as she trounced Niemand Arike from South Africa in the 52kg category to secure a bronze medal for Kenya.
Ribeiro Junior from Mozambique was triumphant as he won against Mozambique Zayed Diallo in the 55kg category to win a bronze medal for his country.
Kenya Judo Association sports director, Joseph Momanyi congratulated the winners while at the same time thanked the government and relevant stakeholders for making the event successful.
“The tournament has been a success and I want to thank each and everyone who was involved in making this a success,” says Momanyi.
Momanyi further said the youthful and experienced judo team that has been assembled has a lot of potential ahead of the global games in Paris, France.
Momanyi is a former judo olympian with the Kenyan team and an accredited referee by the world Judo association.
In a separate interview, Kenya Judo Association (KJA) Chairman, Shadrack Maluki reckoned that the country will stand to gain immensely from African Cadet and Junior Championship.
A total of 69 judokas from 12 countries will participate in the African Cadet Championships set for July 21 to 22.
Another group of 116 judokas from 16 countries will thereafter grace the two-day Africa Junior Championships set for July 23 to 24.
Kenya has registered for the continental showpieces alongside South Africa, Egypt, Madagascar, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Angola, Botswana, Uganda, Algeria, Guinea, Zambia and the Comoros Islands.
The championships will also serve as a qualifier for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
They will also be used as a curtain-raiser to the 2022 Conakry Junior African Cup scheduled for September 25.