Medal hope in Tunis: Oumaima Bedioui leads the host hopes

The African Open in Tunis on Sunday, 15 February 2026, brings together a packed international field: 250 judoka from 31 nations (160 men, 88 women). Since its launch in 2015 the event has become a key early-season test and a useful source of ranking points. Tunisia leads entries with 44 athletes, followed by Belarus (28), Morocco (22) and Great Britain (21). Men’s U66kg and U81kg look particularly deep with 30 competitors each. On the women’s side U63kg currently counts 20 entries, U70kg 16, U57kg 13 and U48kg 12. All eyes are on home favourite Oumaima Bedioui. The two-time African senior champion (Cairo 2024, Abidjan 2025) won Tunis in 2023 and 2024 and took bronze in 2025; she also won Algiers in 2023 and 2025. Known as Petito, she began judo in 2012 and trains at Manzah Tunis under national coach Nihel Cheikrouhou. European athletes add weight to the draw: Marie Branser from Leipzig is a five-time African champion and Belarus fields Aliaksandr Sidoryk among the top men. With strong continental and international entries, Tunis promises intense battles and no guaranteed outcomes for anyone. Source: undefined