Seifu Mekonen and Konjit Gulelcha represents Ethiopia in its first ever World Judo Championship that kicks-off Tuesday in Paris- France. The 28th edition brings together about 700 athletes from 28 nations each represented by 24 athletes.

Two years before it was Ski Sport that took Ethiopia into the world spot light thanks to the hard work from Robel Teklemariam who flew the tri color in two Winter Olympics (Turin & Vancouver). This time Judo sport will bring Ethiopia into the world sport spot light represented by 31 year old Seifu Mekonen and 19 year old Konjit Gulecha in both the men’s and women’s middle weight category respectively.

According to Dr Tsegaye Degineh, president Judo & Ju-Jitsu Association in Ethiopia and Vice president, Ju Jitsu of the African Union, the association has done quite a lot for the last couple of years including the participation in the last World Ju-Jitsu championship in St. Petersburg in 2010. “We are awakening Judo in Ethiopia which has been a long lost sport for over the fast five decades.

We have done what other countries have taken years to achieve and have not even dreamed of. It took more than five decades to reactivate Judo, a dream of the late Yednekachew Tessema and others,” Dr Tsegaye said. Participating in the world federation’s 60th year anniversary will help Ethiopia remain effective in the international judo family and will get more support from the International Judo Federation. Konjit and Seifu will go into the history book as the first female and male athletes to represent Ethiopia in World Judo championship.

CapitalEthiopia