Chad counts on Judoka Memneloum Olympic medal hope

N’DJAMENA, July 15 (Reuters) – Demos Memneloum’s dream was to qualify for the Olympics in her favorite sport. She succeeded that year when the 26-year-old was Chads first athlete to qualify for judo by points using the tatami instead of an invitation.

But as the beginning of the Olympic Games in Tokyo draws closer, the pressure grows on them as the only hope for a medal for the Central African nation, which has had a turbulent first half of the year after an attack by the rebels in the north and the battle field death of long-time President Idriss Deby.

“I feel the pressure from my family, my coach, my friends and especially the Chadians who put their hope in me,” Memneloum told Reuters.

After collecting points in competitions, including a bronze medal at the 2019 African Championships and the 2019 All African Games, Memneloum scored 779 points in the International Judo Federation’s table, finishing 48th in the under 70kg category.

“The media speak of me as the country’s hope for the Olympic Games. The fans prevent me from training with others in public in the stadium because everyone has a word of encouragement to greet and greet me, ”she said.

In a classroom turned into a training room with worn mats on the floor in the popular Ardepdjoumal district of Chad’s capital, Memneloum is the only female education among eight men.

“I’m afraid of disappointing everyone,” said Memneloum, adding that she understands the challenges that await them.

The sophomore resource management student, who was encouraged to take judo by her father when she was seven, said that despite the lack of resources for athletes in the heavily indebted nation, she prides herself on being the first female athlete to stand qualified.

Her trainer Ahmed Djerma Dassering said Memneloun’s self-confidence and discipline enabled her to assert herself in the continental judo scene.

“When she started Demos was the only girl in the judo club, but at a young age she wasn’t intimidated by the boys,” said Dassering. “I sensed someone in her who wanted to push the boundaries.”

Reporting by Mahamat Ramamdane Writing by Bate Felix Editing by Christian Radnedge

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