Olympian Zeddy Cherotich is eyeing the podium in the -78kg category at the ongoing Africa Military Games in Abuja, Nigeria, to bolster her chances of representing Kenya at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
Kenya has fielded a formidable contingent of 87 athletes competing in athletics, shooting, judo, boxing, kickboxing, volleyball and golf in the second edition of the Games, which began last Monday and will conclude this Saturday.
The competition features 26 countries under the theme; “Enhancing Military Cooperation in Africa through Sport.”
The Kenyan judo team, managed by Joseph Momanyi and coached by Johnson Kirimi, includes Cherotich, Marion Toroitich (-57kg), Joseph Mwangi (-100kg), Kalvin Munagwe (+100kg) and Brian Kibet (-81kg).
Cherotich is confident she has what it takes to post impressive results in Nigeria.
She also views this competition as a critical stepping stone to the 2026 Commonwealth Games.
“I aim to deliver podium-worthy performances in Nigeria. This will help improve my ranking and secure a place at the 2026 Commonwealth Games,” Cherotich said.
The Judo programme starts today with the weigh-in, where Cherotich’s first opponent will be determined.
Despite the uncertainty, she remains unshaken.
“Our weigh-in is today but whoever I will face is ready for the competition. I am confident I have what it takes to record good results,” she noted.
Cherotich is cautious of opponents from the North African countries as well as the hosts. “There are some teams like Algeria, Tunisia and the hosts with top athletes that will offer tough competition,” she noted.
Her key areas of focus in training have been on improving her speed and technique.
“I have been focusing on my speed in training as well as my technique on how I attack my opponent,” she revealed.
Having competed at the Paris Olympics, she said the experience she gained there will propel her to good results.
“Competing in Paris taught me valuable lessons and I plan to use that experience to floor my opponents,” she noted.
In Paris, Cherotich was eliminated in the round of 32 in the women’s 78kg category after a 10-0 defeat to Portugal’s Patricia Sampaio.
The 34-year-old is now keen to redeem herself.
“I want to make this opportunity count and achieve better results than I did in Paris. Representing Kenya again at an international event would mean everything to me,” she said.
The Africa Military Games returned after a 17-year hiatus.
Kenya hosted the inaugural edition of the games in 2002 where 32 nations participated across 11 disciplines including football, athletics, judo, basketball, boxing, golf, taekwondo, volleyball and field hockey, among others.
The second edition which was scheduled for Nigeria in 2007 was shelved for lack of sponsorship.
