Caption for the landscape image: Esther Ikiugu: First Kenyan selected to referee at a world judo event Friday, July 17, 2026 Scroll down to read the article Esther Ikiugu, a judo referee, during an interview at Nation Centre in Nairobi on July 15, 2026. Photo credit: Wilfred Nyangaresi | Nation By Ayumba Ayodi Correspondent NMG Sport Summary Article Related What you need to know: Ikiugu will referee at the World Judo Veterans and Kata Championships in Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina.As a competitor, she won seven national titles and four regional gold medals.Ikiugu and Peter Oyugi are the only Kenyan’s with IJF Referee A certification.Judo will be introduced in schools next year. For the 10 years that judoka Esther Ikiugu represented Kenya, she never fought at any world judo championship event. The 38-year-old, who featured in under-57kg and under-63kg, winning 12 national and five regional titles, retired in 2019. PREMIUM Meet Zeddy Cherotich, Kenya’s judo queen 35-year-old KDF fighter recovers from double knee injuries to win Kenya's only medal at African event. PREMIUM Young Kenyan Judokas ready to conquer the world The two teenagers aim to represent Kenya in Judo at the 2026 Youth Olympics. PREMIUM IJF donates judo equipment to Kenya KJF to distribute equipment worth Sh11 million to counties. PREMIUM Kenya turns to Japan in pursuit of sporting glory The deal formalises exchange programmes for athletes and coaches at top Japanese universities. PREMIUM Why staying healthy, eating right are key to an athlete's well-being Experts warn that change of nutrition even for a day can alter athlete's physical and mental well being. . Recommended for you PREMIUM Kenyan girls face China in Fifa U-17 Women’s World Cup PREMIUM Let’s pull together and stage a world-class championships in 2029 PREMIUM Tusker look to rewrite history against Tanzanian opponents PREMIUM Seb Coe: We made the right decision for the sport, now deliver on the promise Login to join the discussion Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus. In the headlines Elections News Counties Business Opinion Sports Life & Style Health Podcasts Photos Newsletters Puzzles PREMIUM Civil servants face vetting over Sh6.2bn payroll fraud State renews push to identify irregular recruitment and weaknesses in management of public funds. PREMIUM Machetes, extortion and fear: Inside Homa Bay’s gang crisis Local business operators bore the brunt of the lawlessness. PREMIUM Mosiria exposes bitter fallout with Sakaja Nairobi County Chief Officer declares intention to challenge Governor Sakaja in 2027.
PREMIUM Meet Zeddy Cherotich, Kenya’s judo queen 35-year-old KDF fighter recovers from double knee injuries to win Kenya's only medal at African event.
PREMIUM Young Kenyan Judokas ready to conquer the world The two teenagers aim to represent Kenya in Judo at the 2026 Youth Olympics.
PREMIUM IJF donates judo equipment to Kenya KJF to distribute equipment worth Sh11 million to counties.
PREMIUM Kenya turns to Japan in pursuit of sporting glory The deal formalises exchange programmes for athletes and coaches at top Japanese universities.
PREMIUM Why staying healthy, eating right are key to an athlete's well-being Experts warn that change of nutrition even for a day can alter athlete's physical and mental well being.
PREMIUM Civil servants face vetting over Sh6.2bn payroll fraud State renews push to identify irregular recruitment and weaknesses in management of public funds.
PREMIUM Machetes, extortion and fear: Inside Homa Bay’s gang crisis Local business operators bore the brunt of the lawlessness.
PREMIUM Mosiria exposes bitter fallout with Sakaja Nairobi County Chief Officer declares intention to challenge Governor Sakaja in 2027.
