Kalba Women’s Sports Club finished top of the cadets division at the Emirates Open Judo Championship, as athletes from Sharjah Women’s Sports clubs continued their progress in national competition.
The event was held on May 16 and 17 at the UAE Judo Federation’s headquarters in Bani Yas. It brought together 310 male and female athletes from 12 clubs, with contests held across the U15 cadets and U18 junior categories.
Kalba led the way in the cadets division, winning 11 medals. Their total included six gold, two silver and three bronze medals.
Sharjah Women’s Sports Club also added to the medal count in the same age group, taking six medals. Their athletes won three silver and three bronze.
Kalba then followed that with second place overall in the junior girls’ category. The club won seven medals in that division, including four golds.
Sharjah Women’s Sports Club also claimed two silver medals in the junior girls’ competition.
The results point to steady work being done inside the Sharjah Women’s Sports programme, particularly in judo, which has grown quickly since being added to its activities.
The foundation now has close to 100 female judo athletes across different age groups. That gives coaches a wider group to work with, while also creating clearer pathways for young athletes moving from early age-group competition into junior events.
Ghaniya Al Siyassi, judo coach at Kalba Women’s Sports Club, said the results showed the strength of the current group and their ability to compete across age groups.
She also said consistent performances help coaches judge where each athlete stands and where further work is needed.
Lucy Jaddan, a coach at Sharjah Women’s Sports Club, said the championship gave technical staff a useful chance to assess player progress in a competitive setting.
The programme seems to be producing athletes who can compete now, while also building enough numbers to support the next group coming through.
