Madagascar: JUDO – MADAGASCAR CHAMPIONSHIP

Two clubs from the capital, Esca and Saint-Michel, dominated the 2024 Madagascar championships. The national summit took place on Wednesday and Thursday in Ankorondrano.

Rivalry and camaraderie. A festive atmosphere prevailed on Thursday evening at the Ankorondrano gymnasium during the final block of the Madagascar championships for the cadet and junior categories. Parents, families, close friends, and teammates came out in large numbers to support their own. In the final medal standings, the Sacred Heart School in Antanimena narrowly topped the rankings with twelve gold medals, eleven silver, and ten bronze. Judokas from Antanimena excelled in the young junior U21, cadet U18, and minime U15 categories. Esca scooped up five gold medals in the minime category, seven in the cadet category, and two in the junior category. Saint-Michel took the second spot by collecting eleven gold medals, eleven silver medals, and ten bronze medals.

The judokas from Amparibe excelled on the first day, Wednesday, in the seniors, clinching four gold medals compared to two from their main rival, Esca. In the cadet category, ASM secured second place in the medal standings with four golds compared to Esca’s seven. The young club La Porte, which finished third in the final standings, shone in the minime category. This club won five titles out of nine finals. Hakudokan, on the other hand, fell just short of the podium, earning five gold medals, three silver, and four bronze.

Revelation

The FJA Vakinankaratra club from the Emilson Ralevazaha Clan, father of Olympian Naina Cécilia, shone brightly with seven medals, including three gold, one silver, and three bronze. The twin brothers Emilson Ralevazaha were untouchable in their respective categories. On Thursday, Kevin Emilson Ralevazaha, narrowly defeated in the final, already won the silver medal in the seniors -66kg. He secured the gold in the juniors by defeating Tsiorinavalona Ramarijaona from NJA Atsinanana by ippon. His twin brother Kenny, who finished just off the podium in the seniors -60kg, excelled in winning the junior gold. He defeated Flavien Andriantsoa Raveloson from Red Analamanga by ippon in the final. The twins were cadet champions in the previous season. “I won five fights. The toughest were the final and the semifinal. We will gradually integrate into the ranks of the big boys, in the senior category,” said Kenny.

“All members of the national team have confirmed their champion status. The new generation has also shown great performance. Some have been promoted and made it to the podium. The level has noticeably improved,” said National Technical Director Mamy Randriamasinoro.

This national summit, preceded by the test match in February and other national competitions, such as the Capricorne tournament at the end of August, the Madagascar Cup in November, as well as the 2025 national championship, will serve as a detection and selection process for the country’s flag bearers in the African senior championships scheduled to be held on Malagasy soil next year.

Serge Rasanda