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Senegalese Judoka Mbagnick Ndiaye Gears Up for Paris 2024 Olympics
Louis Buyisiwe
Sunday, July 14, 2024
Senegalese judoka Mbagnick Ndiaye, a four-time African champion in the +100 kg category, celebrates a hard-earned victory
Mbagnick Ndiaye, a four-time African judo champion competing in the +100 kg category, is set to represent Senegal at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. After a first-round elimination in Tokyo against the world number one, Ndiaye is determined to make a stronger showing in his second Olympics.
Living in France since 2019, Ndiaye returned to Dakar in June to reconnect with his roots and gather strength from his family. "It's important to come home, take the temperature, and get instructions from the coaches who saw me grow," he said. Despite suboptimal training conditions, Ndiaye believes in the significance of his return.
During his visit, Ndiaye inspired young judokas with his humility and emphasized the core values of discipline and seriousness. He reminisced about discovering judo at the age of five, living next to the national dojo in Plateau, Dakar.
"I could hear the judokas and decided to join. I never stopped," he recalled.
Ndiaye’s Senegalese coach, Abdou Karim Seck, who has been with him throughout his career, expressed pride in Ndiaye’s achievements.
"When he wins a gold medal at the African Championships and we hear the national anthem, it's priceless," Seck said.
Mbagnick's brother, Saliou, also a judoka, has been a steadfast training partner.
"We train together, he's my friend and supporter," said Mbagnick. Saliou, competing in the under 81 kg category, highlighted the challenges posed by the destruction of the national dojo in 2023, which affected the training infrastructure for many athletes.
To complete his preparations, Mbagnick moved to Spain, while Saliou cheered him on from Senegal.
"We hope he comes back with a medal, inshallah. We are proud of him," Saliou said.
Mbagnick Ndiaye aims for his first Olympic medal in Paris and has his sights set on gold in Los Angeles in 2028.
