The Nigeria Judo federation has disclosed that the Loveth Howell National Open Judo Championship began yesterday at Ogbe Stadium, Benin.
According to the federation, the championship named after a former Judo champion, Loveth Howell, is featuring bouts in the senior, junior and cadet categories for males and female fighters.
The body revealed that the championship would also serve as a national ranking event for judokas and referees.
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Howell, who represented Nigeria at several international competitions before she retired and moved to the United States, is currently the philanthropist on the board of the Nigeria Judo Federation.
Speaking on the championship, President, Nigeria Judo Federation (NJF), Prince Timothy Nsirim promised that the current board would practice the sport in line with international best standard module.
Nsirim, who agreed that the last 45 years has not been good for judo, assured that the sport would take a new dimension in years to come.
He also praised Nigerian star, Winnie Gofit for winning a gold medal in the 70kg female category at a recent African Judo invitational tourney in Senegal, describing her as the shining light of Nigerian judo.
Source: G Sport
