Paris, France – Jamaican judo athlete Ashley McKenzie is set to lead the charge for his country at the Olympic Games when he faces Yemen’s Hesham Makabr in the elimination Round of 32 of the men’s 60kg event. The match will take place at the Champ-de-Mars Arena in Paris on Saturday and will be the seventh bout on Mat 2.
McKenzie, based in the United Kingdom, is no stranger to the Olympics, as this will be his fourth appearance. However, this marks his first time competing for Jamaica. He made history last year by winning a bronze medal at the Central American and Caribbean Games (CAC) in El Salvador, becoming the first male Jamaican judoka to compete at the Olympics.
“I am very honored to be here to represent Jamaica at my first Olympic Games,” McKenzie stated. “I am ready, my body is ready, and I feel like I can do some great things at this Olympic Games for Jamaica.”
McKenzie’s qualification is a significant milestone for Jamaican judo, bringing unprecedented recognition and opportunity for the sport in the country. His previous experience representing Great Britain in the last two Olympic Games adds to his credibility and sets a new standard for Jamaican athletes in judo on the international stage.
Several other Caribbean athletes will begin their Olympic journey
Apart from McKenzie, several other Caribbean athletes will begin their Olympic journey on Saturday, the first day of competition, with 14 gold medals up for grabs. Bermuda’s Dara Alizadeh will be the region’s first athlete to compete, participating in the men’s singles sculls heats in rowing. Alizadeh will contest heat four, while Cuba’s Reidy Cardona Blanco will compete in heat five.
In other events, Aruba’s Phillip Elhaje will participate in the 10m air pistol men’s qualification shooting, and Antigua and Barbuda’s Jadon Wuilliez will compete in the heats of the men’s 100m breaststroke. Guyana’s Raekwon Noel will start in the men’s 400m freestyle heats.
Suriname’s Soren Opti will take part in the men’s singles group play stage in badminton, while Chelsea Edghill of Guyana will contest the women’s singles preliminary round in table tennis.
