Judo starlet gets nod for London Games

France-based judo star Fred Yannick Sekamana Uwase has been given a wild card to participate in this year’s London Games scheduled for July 27 to August 12.The youngster becomes the first Rwandan athlete to receive the nod to compete in London Games by the Olympic Solidarity. Athletics, swimming, taekwondo and boxing federations also applied for the wildcard invitations.The Olympic Solidarity’s head of athletes section Olivier Niamkey confirmed the development recently. He said, “We thank you for your request to the Tripartite Commission Invitation places for Games 2012 Olympics in London,”“Uwase’s application was carefully considered in conjunction with the International Judo Federation concerned,”“After reviewing your request, we are pleased to inform you that Uwase has been allocated a place for London Games by invitation,” added Niamkey.In April, Sekamana failed to go past the first round of the 3rd Africa Judo Championship held in Agadia, Morroco. The 17-year old, who was bidding to snatch a point to enable him compete at London Olympic Games, suffered a first round exit after losing to Chad’s Mazou Abaker Mbairo 2:23 in 73-kg category fight.The local judo federation have also bid to have Uwase compete in the Africa junior championship due in October in Botswana.So far, only two athletes; Jean Pierre Mvuyekure (athletics) and Adrien Niyonshuti (cycling) have qualified for the Olympics, while the Paralympics bound athletes include the national sitting volleyball team, power lifting and athletics.

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Judo starlet gets nod for London Games