Côte d’Ivoire finished third at the 2026 World Nanbudo Championships in Cameroon, winning 10 medals, including one gold, three silver and six bronze, according to the official results.

The eighth edition of the competition was held from Sept. 30 to Oct. 5 at the Palais Polyvalent des Sports in Yaoundé. It was the first time the World Nanbudo Championships had been hosted in Africa and brought together athletes from 18 countries.

Côte d’Ivoire finished behind hosts Cameroon, who topped the medal table with 19 medals 15 gold, three silver and one bronze. France came second with 10 medals, including one gold, five silver and four bronze. Côte d’Ivoire’s 10 medals placed it third based on the official ranking, which prioritizes gold medals, followed by silver and bronze.

The Ivorian team’s gold medal was won by Erika Sanders Orphelie Kroubo in the cadet/junior Kata event. Jean Renaulde Koua Bosson also secured a silver medal in the senior Kata category for competitors over 75 kg, while other members of the delegation won bronze medals in events including Ju Randori.

The championship featured several Nanbudo disciplines, including Kata and Ju Randori. Created in 1978 by Japanese martial artist Yoshinao Nanbu, Nanbudo combines martial arts techniques with exercises focused on breathing, flexibility and the development of the body and mind.

Côte d’Ivoire’s third-place finish adds another international result for the country’s martial arts delegation, while Cameroon’s hosting of the championship marked a milestone for the development and international visibility of Nanbudo on the African continent.