Cole Chandler Returns to International Competition with Gold in Senegal

(Colorado Springs, CO) – Nearly five years after entering his last major international event, 26-year-old Cole Chandler (Honolulu, Hawaii / Hawaii Tenri) returned to the senior circuit in Senegal this weekend, winning gold at the Dakar African Open on Saturday.

2023 Dakar African Open Results

The 2018 Junior World Team member and two-time Senior National Champion went 4-0 in the 73 kg division as the lone U.S. competitor in Dakar.

Chandler entered the event unseeded, but gave up just one score in any of his matches, rebounding from being down by a waza-ari to choke Konin Emmanuel Kossan (CIV) in the opening round.

In the quarterfinals, Chandler threw 2019 Senior African Championships bronze medalist Diogo Cesar (GBS) for ippon with a seoi nage (shoulder throw).

Chandler took out 2021 Senior World Team member Ety Marc Tevia Ndong Nze Nkala (GAB) in the semifinals with a pair of tai otoshis (body drop throws) for a waza-ari (half point) score each.

With a podium finish secured, Chandler threw 2016 Olympian Andrew Thomas Mlugu (TAN) for ippon with a kosoto gari (small outer reaping).

Top eight results are as follows:

Men’s 60 kg
1. Simon Zulu (ZAM)
2. Felipe Dacruz (LBN)
3. Oumar Mballo (SEN)
3. Moussa Diop (SEN)
5. Raoul Brillant Nganji (BDI)
5. Daouda Dabone (CIV)
7. Arnold Kisoka (COD)
7. Chikondi Samuel Kathewera (MAW)

Women’s 48 kg
1. Gabriela Narvaez (PAR)
2. Priscilla Morand (MRI)
3. Signoline Kanyamuneza (BDI)
4. Binta Ndione (SEN)

Women’s 52 kg
1. Steven Mungandu (ZAM)
2. Harouna Keita (SEN)
3. Fernand Nkero (GAB)
3. Juan Postigos (PER)
5. Ismael Alhassane (NIG)
5. Mouhamedou Mboup (SEN)
7. Mouhametd Babou (SEN)
7. Rukundo Sala (RWA)

Women’s 52 kg
1. Marie Celine Baba Matia (CMR)
2. Djamila Silva (CPV)
3. Diodio Sonko (SEN)
3. Salimata Fofana (CIV)
5. Soukaina Coly (SEN)
5. Jacira Ferreira (MOZ)

Men’s 73 kg
1. Cole Chandler (Honolulu, Hawaii / Hawaii Tenri)
2. Andrew Thomas Mlugu (TAN)
3. Enzy Kom Teddy (CMR)
3. Ety Marc Tevia Ndong Nze Nkala (GAB)
5. Koga Paziaud (GAM)
5. Diogo Cesar (GBS)
7. Oumar Gning (SEN)
7. Jerome Assafoua Zelman (CIV)

Women’s 57 kg
1. Malin Wilson (GBR)
2. Zouleiha Abzetta (CIV)
3. Ndeye Mareme Seyni Sall (SEN)
5. Leyla Aminata Sonko (SEN)

Men’s 81 kg
1. Kissouli Khaled Axel Konate (BUR)
2. Cedrick Kalonga (COD)
3. Valentin Houinato (BEN)
3. Yohane Jessie Ngae (CMR)
5. Keba Mafoudji Sadio (SEN)
7. Namory Keita (SEN)
7. Amadou Sowe (GAM)

Women’s 63 kg
1. Florence Mendy (SEN)
2. Adama Sambou (SEN)

Men’s 90 kg
1. Abderahmane Diao (SEN)
2. Ryan Dacosta (SEN)
3. Vladimir Carlos Ngueya Naheu (CMR)
3. Remi Feuillet (MRI)
5. Chartony Evoloko Ilumbe (COD)
5. Carmel Kone (BUR)
7. Moulaye Idrissa Diop (SEN)
7. Abdoulaye Millimono (GUI)

Women’s 70 kg
1. Assmaa Niang (MAR)
2. Laetitia Vittoria Dikoum Minyem (CMR)
3. Erna Cindy Heukoua Douanla (CMR)

Men’s 100 kg
1. Koffi Kreme Kobena (CIV)

Women’s 78 kg
1. Georgika Wesly Djengue Moune (CMR)
2. Hafsa Yatim (MAR)
3. Ange Ciella Niragira (BDI)
4. Hajanirina Zo Andriambololona (MAD)

Men’s +100 kg
1. Mbagnick Ndiaye (SEN)
2. Boduit Wilfried Anderson Polneau (CIV)
3. Moustapha Fofana (GUI)
5. Enock Kashama (COD)

Women’s +78 kg
1. Monica Sagna (SEN)
2. Richelle Anita Soppi Mbella (CMR)
3. Georgette Sagna (SEN)
3. Ikram Bensamelm (MAR)
5. Marie Claude Polneau (CIV)
5. Essohanam Noeline (TOG)