The Championship, which was mainly organised to hone the fighting techniques of Gambian Judo athletes, also featured invited judokas from Guinea Bissau, Cassamance and Dakar.
The daylong event, which began with combats for the cadet judokas with wrapped up with an interesting elimination featuring senior judokas.
The first phase of combats in the tatami were the junior boys and girls, ranging from 40kg to 90kg and later in the day, the seniors took to the tatami.
Gambian Judokas Alima Jobe and Mam Sarjo Camara, secured gold and silver in the 52kg women category.
In the 78kg women, Maimuna Camara, who represented Gambia in the 2021 Islamic games, won the gold medal, followed by Aminata Camara who secured a silver medal.
In the 81kg men category, homegrown Judokas Apai Gibba and Amadou Juldeh Sowe won gold and silver respectively.
In the senior category, Gambian Judoka Koga Paziaud was outstanding as he came out first in the 73kg men, winning gold with a beautiful ippon.
The championship was attended by officials of The Gambia National Olympic Committee ((GNOC) including President Beatrice Allen, who applauded Gambia Judo Association for organising such a championship.
"I am impressed with what I have seen,
I have seen top talents that can take The Gambia to the Olympics. There are qualifiers coming up and I think this championship is very timely in that regard," she pointed out.
"GNOC is here for all Associations including Judo, and we will always support to see that Gambia reaches the highest heights," said the GNOC president, Beatrice Allen.
For his part, Omar Jobe, competition director and also the vice president of The Gambia Judo Association, said the competition would help Gambian Judo athletes to prepare themselves better ahead of international qualifiers.
"This championship is important. I think Gambia is now ready to do well in international competitions. These athletes fought well. They are good Judokas," Omar said.
Samba Paziaud is a France based Gambia Judo athlete. He was also impressed with this maiden judo championship.
He lauded the efforts by The Gambia Judo Association for organising such a championship.
"It's good to see such initiative, especially seeing judo athletes from Senegal and Guinea Bissau that really helps.
"I think we have talents in The Gambia and I'm happy that we can showcase our skills in this championship,” said Paziaud.
An African Judo Ambassador and a four time Olympian; Senegalese Hortence Jarjue, has immensely supported Gambia Judo Association. She led a team from Cassamance to take part in the championship.
Speaking to the press, the passionate former Judoka called on the stakeholders to help develop judo in The Gambia, while hoping to see Gambia Judo athletes in the Paris 2024 Summer Olympics and Dakar 2026 Youth Olympics.
At the end of the championship, athletes were all awarded certificates.
Founding member, Samba Baye, was also honoured with a certificate of appreciation, likewise Technical Director Luc Paziaud and Hortence Jarjue for their immense support towards The Gambia Judo Association.
