New Brighton, Port Elizabeth will be moving to the sound of “Osu Sensei” (Japanese for “Yes Teacher”) this weekend when the city goes judo mad for the Nelson Mandela Bay Judo for Peace Open Championship hosted by the EP Judo Association.
The tournament pits individuals in a match that sees them either throw or takedown or otherwise immobilize their opponents through joint locking techniques. The exciting, “grappling” modern martial art tournament comes to Nelson Mandela Bay under the Judo for Peace banner.
“Judo for Peace is an initiative of the International Judo Federation and the United Nations Human Rights Commission, our city was granted the right to host its first Judo for Peace tournament this years,” said tournament spokesperson Sensei Sondisa Magajana, who is also president of EP Judo Association.
Magajana has first-hand experience of the positive impact judo can have on lives. He has used it as a tool to protect himself and learn discipline. This is something he hopes will come through for participants and spectators at this inaugural tournament in a city named after our equally disciplined and dedicated former president, Nelson Mandela.
Nelson Mandela Bay Metro is sponsoring the sporting event – which falls in line with a national government objective to “take children off the streets and onto sports fields”.
“Judo is a sport that makes this possible because you don’t need expensive branded equipment and fancy venues,” said NMBM executive mayor, Zanoxolo Wayile, who welcomed the participants and encouraged them to take heed of the philosophy of judo in their daily lives.
“The purpose of the tournament is to promote judo as a catalyst with which to address the challenges in societies. Since judo literally changes lives, it’s important that we display, through tournaments, that judo promotes integration, discipline and friendship,” added Magajana.
Magajana encouraged city locals to join them for an exciting event that brings a modern Japanese martial art to Africa with the intention of highlighting peace, perseverance and deflection of violence.
“Judo is a sport that can make our society a better place. It instills discipline and encourages spiritual and physical growth”. Magajana also stressed that judo is self-defense tool for especially women, who are vulnerable in many societies.
Judo for Peace is supported by the city sports council. Budding Judoka’s can register to participate at the weigh-in on Friday night from 5:00-7:00pm and on Saturday morning from 6:45-7:45am. The Judo for Peace Open Championships tournament will be held at the Nangoza Jebe Hall in New Brighton, Port Elizabeth. There will be a seminar on Friday at which foreign delegates will present. The tournament will start on Saturday morning at 9:00am. Entry to the seminar and tournament are free for spectators.
Judo sensei Sondisa Magajan, Siviwe Bonase (16), a young blind judoka, who won a gold medal last weekend against able-bodied judoka and flanked by Portfolio councillor for sports, recreations, arts and culture Babalwa Lobishe.
Judo for Peace:
