by Ben Ayuko
contact info: benayuko@gmail.com
{images by NOC-K}
In yet another first, Zeddy Cherotich made our nation proud when she became the first female Judoka to represent Kenya in the Judo event at the Olympics, Paris 2024.
This time round, she was the only Kenyan Judoka in the tournament when she came up against the Portuguese, Patricia Sampaio. A tough match-up in only the first round of the tournament against the 2023 European Championship Bronze medalist. Zeddy would have to come with every bit of knowledge she had learned in her practice if she wanted to make it through to the next round.
No sooner had the bout started, than Sampaio showed her class, getting in her first Waza-ari after she managed to flip Zeddy over her shoulder and onto the ground. A real show of strength and power.
It was about 10 seconds later when Sampaio sealed the match with a dominant move as she pinned Zeddy onto the mat for her second Waza-ari. This was enough to earn her the win. Zeddy tried her hardest, but her opponent proved just a little too determined for her to deal with on the day. 10-0 the final score as the 2014 National Champion’s Olympic run came to an end.
Sampaio would advance further and further into the tournament, losing only one match which was against the eventual tournament and Gold medal winner, Italian Alice Bellandi.
She would have to settle for victory in the Bronze medal match, securing yet another Bronze medal in her second year running.
No cigar then for Zeddy as she goes back to the drawing board and prepares for her next tournament when she will get the chance to prove herself once more.