Algeria's junior judo team secured first place at the 2026 African Championship, which concluded its final competitions on Thursday evening. The Algerian team topped the medal standings, accumulating a total of 4 gold, 6 silver, and 8 bronze medals. This outstanding performance positioned Algeria at the forefront of the championship, demonstrating significant strength across various weight categories. The final tally of 18 medals showed Algeria's dominance in the continental event, marking a successful campaign for the junior judokas.
Individual Medalists Shine
Algerian judokas secured top honors across various weight categories, with several athletes distinguishing themselves with medal-winning performances. Gold medals were awarded to Al-Arabi Addad in the fiercely contested under 60kg division, showcasing his technical prowess. Anis Khoja earned a gold medal in the under 81kg division, while Azzi Soufiane triumphed in the under 66kg division. The women's team also saw success, with Dahmani Nour El Houda securing a gold medal in the under 52kg division. These four gold medalists were instrumental in propelling Algeria to the top of the overall standings, each demonstrating exceptional skill and determination in their respective categories.
Six Algerian athletes earned silver medals at the championship, further solidifying the team's strong presence. Mohamed Anis Zakour placed second in the under 60kg category, demonstrating a commendable effort. Ward Abdelrahman achieved a silver medal in the over 90kg division, navigating a challenging field of competitors. Narjes Maaziz secured a silver medal in the under 44kg category, while Shanaz Ourles earned her silver in the under 70kg. Noursine Allal also contributed a silver medal in the over 70kg division, and Lasri Yamina Doaa completed the silver medal haul in the under 52kg division. These silver medal performances noted the depth of talent within the Algerian junior squad.
Bronze medals were also widely distributed among the Algerian team, indicating consistent high-level performances across numerous divisions. Imad Chaachoua took third place in the under 50kg category, securing a valuable medal for the team. Alaa Eddine Sahraoui earned bronze in the under 55kg division, adding to Algeria's impressive count. Walid Driss secured a bronze medal in the under 66kg category, while Oussama Aayeb claimed bronze in the under 73kg. Riyad Akab also contributed a bronze medal in the under 90kg category. The women's bronze medalists included Warda Gorsou in the under 44kg, Rabab Ben Goursa in the under 48kg, and Doaa Rabhi in the under 63kg division. Each of these bronze medalists showcased resilience and skill, contributing significantly to the team's overall success.
Continental Competition Landscape
Egypt secured the second position in the medal standings at the 2026 African Junior Judo Championship, accumulating a total of 14 medals. The Egyptian team earned 3 gold medals, 5 silver medals, and 6 bronze medals during the competition, demonstrating a strong competitive spirit. Following Egypt, Tunisia placed third overall with a combined total of 10 medals. The Tunisian team’s performance included 2 gold medals, 1 silver medal, and 7 bronze medals, solidifying their standing among the top contenders in the continental event. The championship showcased strong performances from multiple North African nations, with Algeria, Egypt, and Tunisia leading the medal count. The final competitions on Thursday evening brought an exciting conclusion to the tournament, noting the talent and dedication of junior judokas from across the continent.
Algeria's Dominant Performance
Algeria concluded the 2026 African Junior Judo Championship at the top of the general medal standings. The Algerian delegation secured a total of 18 medals, noting a strong performance throughout the competition and affirming their status as a leading force in junior African judo. Athletes from Algeria earned four gold medals, six silver medals, and eight bronze medals. This full tally positioned Algeria as the leading nation in terms of overall medal count, surpassing other participating countries. The full medal haul showed the team's competitive presence across various weight categories and divisions at the continental event, reflecting the hard work and preparation of the junior judo team.
