World Judo championships officially launched

World Judo championships officially launched

The 2018 World Junior Judo Championships was officially opened yesterday at the Atlantis Resort on Paradise Island. Minister of Youth, Sports and Culture Lanisha Rolle was on hand to welcome more than 500 athletes from 81 countries to The Bahamas.

“On this, the occasion of the IJF World Junior Judo Championships, we are delighted to serve as the host country,” she said.

“This level has attracted over 600 athletes, coaches and officials, providing a stage for athletes to test themselves against elite competition.”

Several Bahamians got on the mat yesterday, competing across a number of divisions.

Desmond Bootle lost to Pariche Andres, from Venezuela, in the under-66 kilogram (kg), Davante Sweeting lost to Cristian Vargas in the same category, and Davante Sweeting lost to Cristian Vargas, from Colombia, in the under-73kg category.

About Randy Smith

Randy Smith is the producer of the widely-watched local television show “Beyond The Headlines” and the web content manager of Eyewitness News. He joined Eyewitness News as a sportscaster in 2018, a role he still performs, and has previously covered a slew of international sporting events, including the 2015 Pan American Games, the Nike EYBL Showcase, several IAAF World Relays, the FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup, the Commonwealth Youth Games, the Bahamas Bowl and multiple CARIFTA Swimming and Track & Field Championships. Randy has been recognized by the Bahamas Press Club with awards for “Best Sports Broadcast” as a sportscaster and “Best TV Talk Show” as a producer.