By MOSES CHIMFWEMBE –
JUDOKA Abigail Chindele has edged closer towards clinching a slot at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games after storming the qualifying threshold in the 48kg category.
Chindele is among the four-member Zambian strong team that will begin its quest for the Olympic Games qualification at the 2015 World Judo Championship billed for Astana in Kazakhstan tomorrow.
According to the latest rankings released by the International Judo Federation (IJF) ahead of the championships tomorrow, Chindele is 71 on the Olympic Games Qualification (OGQ) within the top 100 and currently marked qualified.
Chindele whose favourite technique is ‘Kouchi-gaeshi’ is currently on 54 points on the OGQ while on the World Judo Ranking List (WRL), she is ranked 75 with 108 points.
A positive performance at the Astana stage could see her rise further and keep her Olympic dream.
Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Boas Munyonga (80kg) is in distant 233 on OGQ with Matthews Punza (66kg) in 248th and are currently outside the qualifying threshold with two points each.
On the World Judo Ranking List, the duo is ranked 291 with Punza on six points, two ahead of Munyonga.
Meanwhile, the other team member Michael Mwabi, who will compete in the 100kg and over category, is not ranked.
