Mwangushya and Talikaza bank on experience for Commonwealth glory

Coach George William Ssekiwunga, leading Uganda's two-member Judo team to the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, is confident in their performance after months of intensive training for their events at the SEC Centre.

The event will host 176 athletes competing in 14 weight categories for both men and women. Uganda will be represented by Charles Mwangushya (-100 kg) and Zubedda Talikaza (-70 kg) from Police Judo Club, with competitions beginning July 31.

Ssekiwunga says his charges have been on the circuit and represented Uganda at the 2024 Olympics, among other events like the Paris Judo Grand Slam and the Marrakech African Open, and therefore have been exposed and have the experience to compete on the international stage.

"So, we expect them to give us the best, based on their profile. And we are hoping for a gold medal since we have had heavy training, intensive training, which we are currently still undergoing," Ssekiwunga said during the flag-off of Team Uganda. "So, with our expertise and major training drills, and our focus on the athletes that we are going to face, we hope that we shall do better and bring better results for the country."

He said Zubedda has been a role model, was actively involved in international Olympic qualification tournaments in the lead-up to the 2024 Games, and is now going for her second major games.

"I have done the personal research, especially in these two weights, about our opponents, and they each have about 13 opponents. Most of them are from Ireland and the UK, and Scotland and the UK are fielding three teams. And they are better ranked according to the International Judo Federation rankings. But we are hopeful, since our training is focused on what they know. We hope we shall counter them," Ssekiwunga stated.

He said the sport was founded by Captain Herbert Musitwa, who was a serviceman in the Air Force, and it has been in Uganda since the late 80s before it was recognised by NCS in 2018.

Mwangushya and Talikaza have never won medals from their travels but have gained immense experience since 2018, which they hope to bank on in Glasgow.

"We have prepared well and undergone good training, and we hope to post good results," Mwangushya, who has before represented the country in events like the African Open in Marakesh and in other events in France and Italy, said.

Talikaza said she was excited to go for her first Commonwealth Games. "We have prepared for these games for a long time, and we have responded well to the training and worked well with the coaches, and I promise to return victorious."

Talikaza has previously competed in events like the Path to Oceania Judo Championship Australia, the European Open in the Czech Republic, the Grand Slam in Paris, the All Africa Games, and many others, from which she has drawn a lot of experience.