By Chaimae Boulifa
Rabat – Moroccan judoka Asmaa Niang was classified as being among the five best world senior champions in the under-70 kilogram category during the 2017 Suzuki World Judo Championships in Budapest, held August 28 to Sept. 3.
Niang’s achievement led Morocco to rank first among African and Arab countries and 27th globally at the tournament, according to Royal Moroccan Judo Federation (FRMJAMA).
By virtue of Niang’s hard work and dedication, Morocco has reached the Judo senior category’s top five for the first time in history, after ranking twice at the fifth position during the 2017 World Judo Championships for cadets and teams in Chile.
The Moroccan champion has won many titles in Africa and internationally, including the 2014 Grand Prix in Düsseldorf, and a silver medal at the European Cup in Saarbrücken in 2017,in addition of a silver, a gold and another gold medals in 2015, 2016 and 2017 African Opens in Casablanca.
The Japanese Arai Chizuru, who bested Maria Perez of Puerto Rico in the final, offered her country the winning gold and gave a third win to Japan. The Peruvian Perez took the silver, while the bronze medals went to the Colombian Yuri Alvear and the Spanish Maria Bernabeu.
The 2017 Suzuki World Judo Championships, a popular event in the International Judo Federation’s World Judo Tour, took place in Budapest, Hungary at the László Papp Budapest Sports Arena.
Meanwhile, on the sidelines of the opening of the championship, Morocco signed a contract giving it the opportunity to host the tournaments of six Judo World Championships over the next three years.
The Memorandum of Agreement signed between Rachid Talbi Alami, minister of Youth and Sport, and the International Judo Federation (IJF)’s president, Marius Vizer, will allow Morocco to host the next World Open Weight Championships in November in Marrakesh. This agreement, which makes the kingdom the first African country to host the event, will see the participation of 60 Olympic Judo champions.
