Ex-judokas shine in sambo, lament unfair treatment

Nigerian judo athletes have found a new path to international success through sambo, with two former judokas becoming continental and world champions within their first year of switching to the combat sport, The PUNCH reports.

Charity Jatau, who spent 17 years competing in judo without international recognition, has already claimed African and world titles in sport sambo and beach sambo respectively since switching disciplines in March 2024.

“For the past 11 months I have been in sambo, I have found it more interesting and loving than I do in judo. Sambo has given me the opportunity to showcase my talent at the international level, which judo did not give me in 17 years,” Jatau told our correspondent.

Similarly, Chegwam James, a judoka of 14 years, found immediate success in sambo after years of frustration in his former sport.

“I start competing in sambo in May 2024 at the All African Games in Accra, Ghana. Within a short period, less than a year, sambo has announced me to the world, competing at both African and international level,” James said.

The 35-year-old revealed his previous struggles in judo, where despite winning gold medals in Ghana, he was never selected to represent Nigeria internationally.

“Nigeria Judo Federation always call for trials for international competitions. Even if athletes compete and qualify, they don’t call athletes for camping, they only pick those they want,” he added.

Vice President of the Sambo Association of Nigeria, Sheriff Hammed, expressed pride in the athletes’ transformation, highlighting the sport’s role in providing opportunities.

“Their stories resonate with the very vision that drives our efforts in promoting sambo across Nigeria—a sport that not only uplifts athletes but also gives them the platform to showcase their talents on the global stage,” Hammed told The PUNCH.

Both athletes praised Hammed and SAN President Loveth Howell for their support, with Jatau stating, “Words are too short to describe him, but he is a man of integrity and wisdom. He has been the reason where sambo is now.”

The success stories of Jatau and James represent a growing trend of combat sports athletes finding new opportunities in sambo, a Russian martial art that combines elements of judo, wrestling, and other fighting styles.