Production of new podcast episodes will be suspended for the foreseeable future as the project enters an extended hiatus.

The purpose of Combat Sports in Africa has always been to create another space for stories involving African athletes, coaches, competitions and communities across judo, wrestling, mixed martial arts and the wider combat sports world.

Along the way, every guest provided an opportunity to learn.

Their stories reminded us that combat sports look very different depending on where you are in the world. Behind every result is a much larger story involving training, coaching, resources, opportunity, culture, sacrifice and the people who help an athlete get to the competition in the first place.

The conversations also provided a chance to listen rather than assume. There is an enormous depth of knowledge, history and talent across African combat sports, and there are countless stories that deserve greater attention.

Previous interviews and episodes will remain online and available as an archive.

There is currently no timetable for new episodes. Perhaps the project returns one day in another form. Perhaps this is where this particular chapter ends. For now, the future will remain open.

To the athletes, coaches and guests who gave their time and shared their experiences, thank you. Every conversation taught us something.

And to everyone who listened, followed, shared or supported the project, thank you for helping give these stories another place to be heard.

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After 60+ episodes since late 2021, Combat Sports in Africa is taking a deliberate hiatus to reset and reshape what’s next. Thank you to every guest, collaborator, and listener across Africa and every continent — we’ll be back.

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A quick Combat Sports in Africa update from Wuxi, China, where African athletes made their mark at the 2025 World Taekwondo Championships. Tunisia’s Wafa Masghouni and Mohamed Khalil Jendoubi, along with Egypt’s Seif Eissa, all struck gold.

Check out the full results on the official World Taekwondo website, and read the feature “Wafa takes seamless step from junior to senior world champion.”

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Grit, grace, and the will to win capture the experience of Aina Laura Rasoanaivo Razafy, the Malagasy judoka who made history by earning Madagascar’s first-ever World Judo Tour medal — a silver at the Qingdao Grand Prix 2025.

In this episode of Combat Sports in Africa, Laura shares what it took to adapt, stay focused, and show up — especially when things got tough. She reflects on the Qingdao Grand Prix 2025, her journey into judo, how the Paris 2024 Olympic Games reshaped her mindset, and what she’s learned about herself through competition.

Her reflections reveal the mindset of an athlete who embodies strength, maturity and humility.

Watch the Qingdao Grand Prix and more on JudoTV.com.

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The 46th African Senior Judo Championships wrapped up with an electric Mixed Team competition in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire. Nine countries battled for continental supremacy, but it was Egypt and Algeria who delivered a heart-stopping final. After a 3-3 tie, the title was decided by golden score — with Egypt edging out Algeria to retain their crown.

Angola defeated Senegal, and Tunisia overcame Cameroon to round out the podium with bronze.
 
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At the 2025 African Wrestling Championships in Casablanca, Egypt and Nigeria dominated the medal table — but the moment that stole the show came from Cameroon’s Cedric Abossolo. After years of near-misses, the 25-year-old stormed through the 92kg Freestyle bracket without conceding a single point, earning Cameroon its first Freestyle gold since 1998.
 
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On May 31, Nigerian wrestling icon Blessing Oborududu announced her retirement. A 14-time African champion and Nigeria’s first Olympic wrestling medalist, she now transitions into coaching.

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Senegalese Taekwondo athlete Tening Faye has become the first-ever medallist for her country at a World Taekwondo Cadet Championships, earning bronze in the women’s -44kg event in Fujairah, UAE. 

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Kenya was the only African nation to compete at the 2025 Tbilisi Grand Slam — sending 10 judokas to one of the toughest judo tournaments on the IJF World Tour. In this episode, we briefly explore what that level of participation means for Kenya’s judo ambitions and the wider development of combat sports in Africa.

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Africa’s top amateur MMA talent returns to Luanda for the 2025 IMMAF African Championships — will you be watching?

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