We head to the Senegalese capital Dakar, which recently hosted the African Cadets and Juniors Judo Championships. Martial artists from 14 countries took part as the host nation gained more experience in staging international events, with the 2022 Summer Youth Olympics arriving in three years' time. CGTN's Mohamed Abubaka has more.

The competition featured athletes in various weight categories, including the Under-40, Under-50, and Under-90 kilograms. With 20 judokas entered into the competition, Algeria was the best-represented country at the 2019 African Junior and Cadet Judo Championships. The North Africans won four gold medals in the Under-40 kilograms, while Senegal won gold in the Under-50 kilogram category.

IBRAHIMA FALL 50-KILOGRAM DIVISION GOLD MEDALIST "I am very happy to have won this gold medal and placed Senegal to the top of the podium. It is true that the fights were not easy, but I fought to the end, and the goal for me was to win this distinction to make the Senegalese people proud."

MELISSA KHERESH 40-KILOGRAM DIVISION GOLD MEDALIST "I had two difficult fights against Senegalese and South African opponents. But I am happy and proud. It was my dream to win gold. Many countries are participating and I am happy to know that I am among the best."

For the host nation of the championship, this competition acted as a stepping stone in the preparations for the 2022 Youth Olympic Games.

BABACAR MAKHTAR WADE SENEGAL JUDO FEDERATION PRESIDENT "The success of this championship is the result of the work that is being done in our country. It is a great honor paid to Senegal to host this African Championship of Cadets and Juniors for the year 2019. Senegal will organize in 2022 the Youth Olympic Games. The target will be kids who are between 13 and 18 and it is this same category that participates in this Championship. This creates a certain emulation, which will make more and more competitive young athletes for the YOG."

A total of 96 judokas including 55 boys and 41 girls took part in the continental championship. In addition to Senegal, the 13 other nations involved were Algeria, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Chad, Egypt, Gabon, Gambia, Cote d'Ivoire, Morocco, South Africa, Togo, Tunisia, and Zimbabwe. Mohamed Abubakar, CGTN.