At the conclusion of judo events at the 22nd National Sports Festival in Ilisan, Osun State coach Ayodele Temitope Crystal-Anne celebrated a successful first assignment on the mat. Guiding seven judoka into competition, she helped steer one athlete to a bronze medal in the –60kg category.
“I am so grateful and delighted,” Crystal-Anne told Sports247. “This is my first assignment as a coach with Osun State, and to secure a podium finish already gives God all the glory.”
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Her debut success reflects a broader resurgence in Nigerian judo, Crystal-Anne believes, as fresh talent emerges under dedicated coaching.
“New faces are stepping up,” she noted. “Coaches are doing their jobs well—breeding athletes who can reach the podium. This is a very positive development for our sport.”
Preparation, she says, combines self-belief with guidance.
“I give my athletes pep talks, but fundamentally they must motivate themselves. When you tell yourself ‘you can do it,’ you truly can.”
With four athletes supported directly by the state and three backed by Osun Judo Association chairman Rotimi Okeniyi, the team’s haul of one bronze is just the beginning for Crystal-Anne.
“Now the real work starts,” she said. “It’s time to return to the drawing board, build on what we learned here, and push even harder—especially those who came close in the semifinals.”
Proud of her own learning curve as much as her athletes’ progress, Coach Crystal-Anne looks forward to translating festival lessons into future medal success for Osun State and Nigerian judo at large.
