The 2024 African Judo Championships start tomorrow with the Kata competition. A competition that  will take place at Cairo Stadium. Several African countries will be present to take part in this traditional process of transmitting the essential principles of Judo, which consists of memorizing a set of historically fixed techniques and executing this set in a precise way in harmony with the partner.

The well-mastered form must allow the sincere expression of the combat gesture, total commitment on the mental and physical level of the performers. Kata is also a tool of stability and permanence that weaves a link between all judokas, allowing the technique, spirit and principles of judo to be transmitted from generation to generation.  

The Nage No Kata should allow each judoka to acquire the essential fundamental technical basics to the construction of a personal and complete judo, and to be able to apply it in randori and then in competition.

According to the Kata Commissioner at the UAJ, this seminar will allow the judges to work in the best possible conditions, especially the new generation of judges who will have to get used to the new rules of the International Judo Federation (IJF) concerning judogis among others. Judges must be 'Up to date' to the latest rules especially regarding integrity to avoid any conflict of interest. The participants of the seminar were also given explanations on the counting of points concerning the execution of techniques and postures

The participants of this seminar were able to ask questions and become familiar with the different scenarios with the basic techniques of judo, such as throws, immobilizations and strangulations. They offer a precise structure and sequence to practice those movements where judokas make mistakes and how to punish or give points.

Katas require total concentration and mental discipline. Judokas need to focus on each movement and it happens during the execution that a partner may get injured. A most enriching training according to the participants who say that they will be called upon to judge in the various Kata competitions organized by the African Judo Union on the continent.

The participants present expressed their total satisfaction with this exchange in terms of explanation and also exercise, questions and answers. The Chief Director of the Department of Education and Coaching, Faissal Raguib, who was part of the panel of supervisors of this seminar, expressed his satisfaction with the interest shown by the participants in the Kata competitions. He states that at the end of the refresher course, participants will be subjected to a test to examine their respective competence and knowledge. He also said that this is the second consecutive year that this seminar has been organized during the African Championships after the one in Casablanca 2023. According to Mr. Faissal, the UAJ supports the development of Katas in Africa under the leadership of President Siteny.