Judo: Guinea avoid disaster at the African Championships

Guinea almost missed the competition

14 Guinean judokas, 8 of them based in Europe, were expected in Casablanca (Morocco) to take part in the 44th African Senior Judo Championships from 7 to 9 September 2023. The Guinean team's preparations took place in two phases. Abdoulaye Balipili Diallo is the vice-president of the Guinean Judo Federation. " There are 14 judokas who were due to take part in the tournament. In Conakry, a group of 6 trained with national technical director Paul Delormas. The ones based in Europe, meanwhile, prepared there and made their way to Casablanca for the competition, " the official explains. After being announced as a withdrawal, the Guinean delegation finally managed to reach Casablanca (Morocco) just hours before the start of the competition. The situation affected the athletes' results, as the disappointing results show. Of the 14 judokas entered, only two came away with medals. "We were late with the travel preparations,"  admits Abdoulaye Balipili Diallo. He continues. "The delay was mainly down to getting the travel authorisation, the mission order. We only got it a few days before the start of the competition. In the end the team managed to reach Casablanca, where it was able to take part in the competition, " explains Abdoulaye Balipili Diallo.

Olympic qualification secured, but...

The only bright spots in a gloomy picture are Mariana Esteves and Marie Suzanne Branser. The former took gold in the -57 kg category, while her team-mate won the same medal in the -78 kg. Ranked 22nd and 16th respectively in Africa, their performances earn them a ticket to the Paris 2024 Olympics. The news delights the vice-president of the Guinean Judo Federation. "It is the first time Guinea has won a gold medal at a senior African Championships. And what's more, we won 2 during the tournament. It's a source of satisfaction. For a first, we have earned Olympic qualification on merit, not through Olympic Solidarity, " says Abdoulaye Balipili Diallo, delighted.

However, to keep that Olympic qualification, they will have to compete in all the events leading up to the Games. It is a fresh headache for the federation and the athletes, given how close their participation in the 2023 African Championships came to ending in fiasco. "Mariana and Marie-Suzanne have secured their tickets for the Olympics, yes, but there are other judokas who are also close to qualifying," reveals Abdoulaye Balipili Diallo. He goes on: "We will make sure they take part in all the major competitions ahead of the Olympics, with good results. And that inevitably requires support from the Guinean state. We hope for backing in that respect," he says.

With the Paris 2024 Olympics only months away, the Guinean Judo Federation's officials are working to find ways to let the qualified athletes take part. Given the difficulties encountered, they will have to redouble their efforts to keep alive the Olympic dream of the female judokas who have booked their place at the greatest show in world sport.

Mamadou Gongorè DIALLO