THE national judo team defied odds to bag two bronze medals in the Eastern African Judo championship held at the Nyayo Stadium gymnasium in Nairobi, Kenya  this week.

Rwanda was represented by France-based Fred Yannick Uwase (-73kg), who represented Rwanda at the 2012 London Olympic Games, Ayubu Mugabo (-60kg) and Zuena Mukamana (-57kg) under the tutelage of Congolese Joel Kafita Wawina.

Uwase won bronze in men’s over 73kg category while Kenyan James Mashibo and Burundian Vianney Ntaconayize settled for gold and silver medals respectively.

In the women’s U-53, Mukamana bagged a bronze medal too, coming behind Burundian winner Antoinette Munezera and Salma Omar from Zanzibar who won silver

The two bronze medals helped Rwanda finish fifth on the regional scene. Burundi won the overall title with six gold medals, four silver and six bronze medals.

Hosts Kenya finished second with four gold, seven silver and five bronze medals while Tanzania beat Zanzibar to third overall with three gold, one silver and five bronze to reach a maximum of nine medals.

Zanzibar came in fourth position ahead of Rwanda with  two gold, three silver and five bronze to record a total of 10 medals while debutants Ethiopia came out empty-handed.

Rwanda was using this tournament to prepare her athletes ahead of the African tournament due to be held in Mauritius.