Edo State has emerged overall champion of the maiden Governor Alex Otti National Senior Judo Championship after securing 11 medals at the three-day competition held in Umuahia, Abia State.
The Edo contingent finished top of the medal table with four gold, three silver and four bronze medals to claim the overall title at the championship, which ended on Wednesday, November 4, 2026.
Akwa Ibom State finished in second position with nine medals, comprising four gold, two silver and three bronze, while Rivers State secured third place with four medals, including two gold, one silver and one bronze.
The competition was organised by the Nigeria Judo Federation in collaboration with the Abia State Government and attracted judokas from different parts of the country.
Other participating teams also recorded podium finishes, with Enugu State taking fourth position after winning one gold, one silver and three bronze medals. Host state Abia finished fifth with one gold, one silver and two bronze medals.
Emmy Star placed sixth with one gold, two silver and one bronze, while Kano State came seventh with one gold and one silver. Ogun State finished eighth with one gold and three bronze medals.
Bayelsa State occupied ninth position with two silver and one bronze, while the Nigeria Police Force completed the top 10 with one silver and two bronze medals.
The championship also featured a team event, in which Edo State strengthened its position by claiming gold. Enugu State won silver, while Wakuta and Emmy Star shared the bronze medals.
Speaking after the competition, the Acting Technical Director of the Nigeria Judo Federation, Sule Musa, described the championship as an opportunity to identify promising athletes and improve the standard of the sport in the country.
He said the competition had exposed the potential of Nigerian judokas and expressed confidence that local athletes could compete favourably at continental and international levels with adequate preparation, institutional support and quality leadership.
Musa also acknowledged the support of the Abia State Government, the National Sports Commission and the International Judo Federation in advancing the development and administration of judo in Nigeria.
Meanwhile, Abia State Governor Alex Otti pledged to sustain the championship as part of efforts to promote sports development and provide opportunities for young people.
Represented by his deputy, Ikechukwu Emetu, the governor said the state viewed sports as an important tool for youth engagement, empowerment and development.
Emetu also expressed the state’s readiness to support the growth of judo and host bigger competitions, including international championships.
The maiden competition is expected to provide a platform for talent discovery, athlete development and increased competitive opportunities for judokas across the country.
