Gambia’s judoka Faye Alex Njie: Out but not down

Gambian competitors at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games began their chase for the first-ever Olympic Medal in the history of the Game on Monday morning.

Finish-based Gambian judoka Faye Alex Njie entered the competition but could not make it to the next round ending his dream in his maiden debut in the Olympic Games.

Faye Njie, who earned qualification to the Rio games after winning Silver Medal at the All African Games and earning a continental quota spot from the African Championship held in Tunis in April, narrowly lost to Kazakhstan’s champion Didar Khamza on technical point after five minutes of tough fight.

The 22-year-old Gambian, who fights in the 73 kg category, defended the national colours honorably but bounded down on two technical points.

Forty-five judokas from all over the world competed in this category in a long day event.

Faye Alex Njie, who pioneers Gambia’s Olympic debut in judo, said he is proud to represent his fatherland in the Olympic Games.