National Open Judo Championships Return to Umuahia After Years of Inactivity

Umuahia, Abia State, is set to become the centre of Nigerian judo as the National Open Senior Judo Championships return after years of inactivity, bringing athletes from across the country together for a six-day competition aimed at reviving the sport.

Organised by the Nigeria Judo Federation (NJF) in partnership with the Abia State Government, the championship will take place at the Umuahia Township Stadium from October 31 to November 5, 2026.

Beyond the medals, organisers say the competition is an opportunity to rebuild confidence, reconnect athletes and officials and restore unity within Nigeria’s judo community.

National Open Judo Championships target sport’s revival

The return of the National Open Judo Championships comes after a period marked by internal disagreements and administrative challenges within the sport.

The NJF Interim Caretaker Committee, led by Sheriff Hammed, is hoping the competition can provide a fresh start for athletes and other stakeholders.

Hammed credited the leadership of the National Sports Commission, particularly its Chairman Shehu Dikko and Director General Bukola Olopade, with efforts aimed at restoring peace and stability within the federation.

He said the championships should be viewed as more than a competition.

“We need to restore the glory of judo as a peaceful and united sport. Many judokas lost interest because of the challenges the sport faced, but this tournament provides an opportunity to bring everyone back together and begin a new chapter.”

The tournament is therefore expected to serve both a sporting and organisational purpose, giving athletes an opportunity to compete while providing stakeholders with a platform to reconnect.

Athletes to compete across 14 weight categories

Competitors will battle for honours across seven men’s and seven women’s weight categories.

The men’s events are:

• -60kg
• -66kg
• -73kg
• -81kg
• -90kg
• -100kg
• +100kg

The women’s events are:

• -48kg
• -52kg
• -57kg
• -63kg
• -70kg
• -78kg
• +78kg

The range of categories is expected to provide opportunities for established judokas as well as athletes looking to make their mark on the national stage.

Katherine Ewa welcomes return of championship

Former African Games champion and Olympian Katherine Ewa has welcomed the return of the national championship, describing it as an important development for Nigerian athletes and the wider growth of judo.

Ewa recalled that the last national competition of a similar scale was held during the tenure of Senator Orji Uzor Kalu as President of the Nigeria Judo Federation and Governor of Abia State.

She also commended the current Abia State administration for supporting the return of the event.

“The return of a national championship with financial rewards for athletes is highly encouraging. It will motivate existing competitors and attract new athletes to the sport,” Ewa said.

The prospect of financial rewards could provide additional motivation for competitors while encouraging more young athletes to consider judo.

Umuahia competition could open new chapter for Nigerian judo

For organisers and athletes, the significance of the championship extends beyond the six days of competition.

A successful event could help rebuild interest in judo, provide a platform for talent identification and give athletes a stronger competitive pathway at national level.

It also comes at a time when the sport’s administrators are seeking to move beyond recent internal challenges and create a more united environment for competitors and officials.

With the National Open Judo Championships returning to Umuahia, attention will now turn to the athletes who will compete for national honours when the tournament begins on October 31.

The championship could mark an important step towards restoring the profile of judo in Nigeria and giving a new generation of judokas the opportunity to compete, develop and represent the country.