Athletes, their officials and other stakeholders, who have been in training for a while are high on expectations ahead of the return of the National Open Senior Judo Championships.

The championships is coming back after years of inactivity, bringing together some of Nigeria’s top judokas for a six-day competition aimed at revitalising the sport and fostering unity among stakeholders.

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

The tournament marks a significant milestone for Nigerian judo, which has faced internal disputes and administrative challenges over the past year. The NJF’s Interim Caretaker Committee, led by Sheriff Hammed, is expected to use the event as a platform to reunite the judo community and restore confidence in the sport.

Speaking ahead of the championship, Hammed praised the leadership of the National Sports Commission (NSC), particularly its Chairman, Shehu Dikko, and Director General, Bukola Olopade, for their efforts in restoring peace and stability within the federation.

He said that the competition represents more than a contest for medals, as it will serve as a rallying point for athletes, officials and stakeholders seeking to rebuild the sport.

“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,” Hammed said.

Competitors will contest seven weight categories in both the men’s and women’s divisions. The men’s events include -60kg, -66kg, -73kg, -81kg, -90kg, -100kg and +100kg, while the women’s categories are -48kg, -52kg, -57kg, -63kg, -70kg, -78kg and +78kg.

A former African Games champion and Olympian Katherine Ewa welcomed the return of the championship, describing it as a major boost for athletes and the development of judo in Nigeria.

Ewa noted that the last national competition of similar magnitude was held during the tenure of Abia State Givernor Orji Uzor Kalu as president of the Nigeria Judo Federation.

She commended the current administration in Abia for supporting the revival 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 championship is expected to rekindle interest in judo across the country while providing a pathway for talent discovery and national unity within the sport.