Envoy tips local judo athletes

Japanese Ambassador to Malawi Shuichiro Nishioka has asked Malawi government to consider giving a chance to local judo athletes to participate at Rio Olympic Games later this year.

Nishioka observed that international experience is critical to the growth of the sport and that athletes can gain a lot by participating at the Rio Games.

He was speaking on Saturday at the third Japanese Ambassador’s Judo Championship held at Kamuzu Institute of Sports in Lilongwe.

Said the ambassador: “I have observed with gladness that Judo Association of Malawi (JAM)athletes have been progressing year after year. I hope that Malawi will have the chance to send judo athletes to Rio to gain international experience.”

Nishioka stated that sending the judo athletes to Rio will increase chances of local players grabbing medals at the 2020 Tokyo Games.

The event was presided over by the Minister of Sports and Culture Grace Chiumia.

She thanked the Japanese Embassy and the JAM for working hard to promote the sport in the country.

Judo is a traditional martial art and sport that was introduced as an Olympic Game in 1964 at the Tokyo Olympic Games in Japan. n