Rael Kulova in action during the Africa Cup of Nations in South Africa / HANDOUT He said preparations are underway for the Kiambu leg of the National Judo League, which takes place monthly. Yusuke was speaking during a training session at the Kasarani Indoor Arena just hours after returning from South Africa.
“We hold the National League every month because it allows us to assess athletes across all age groups, including kids over 14, cadettes aged 15–17, juniors aged 18–20 and seniors over 21.”
The team recently competed in Pretoria, South Africa, in the Junior and Cadet Africa Judo Cup, where Kenya bagged a bronze medal through Rael Kulova in the junior (-48kg) category.
Kulova defeated Botswana’s Pine Moreosele to reach the podium. Her counterpart, Grace None, also featured in the junior category, Under-16, where she narrowly missed bronze in the cadette category after losing to Madagascar’s Benandro Roumaica.
Pius Akala on her bit impressed in his opening bout of the junior category, scoring against one of the eventual bronze medalists before eliminating Burundi’s Talent Polayame in the final stages.
Utashiro confirmed the team is preparing for its next continental assignment: the Africa Cadet and Junior Championships slated for July 17–20 in Luanda, Angola. “We will travel with 15 male and female athletes. Selection is based on performance in the National League,” he said.
He called for increased exposure and consistent training to build on the gains made so far, adding, “Each month’s national competition is crucial. It helps us prepare for international events, and that’s how we pick who represents the country.”
