Defending women's under-52kg champion Soumiya Iraoui of Morocco had to settle for bronze on the opening day of the African Judo Championships ©Getty Images

Soumiya Iraoui’s hopes of defending her women's under-52 kilograms title successfully at the African Judo Championships in Oran, Algeria fell short on the opening day.

The Moroccan nevertheless managed to claim a fifth consecutive medal at the event as she earned bronze along with Charne Griesel of South Africa.

Gold went to home judoka Faiza Aissahine, who defeated Djamila Silva of Cape Verde in the final.

Another highly fancied competitor, Ivorian Salimata Fofana, finished joint fifth.

Priscilla Morand of Mauritius, right, won the women's under-48kg gold at the African Judo Championships in Oran, Algeria today ©Getty Images
Priscilla Morand of Mauritius, right, won the women's under-48kg gold at the African Judo Championships in Oran, Algeria today ©Getty Images

The women’s under-48kg title went to Priscilla Morand of Mauritius, who defeated Tunisia’s Oumaima Bedioui in the final.

Bronze medals went to South Africa’s Geronay Whitebooi and home judoka Imene Rezzoug.

Egypt’s 19-year-old Youssry Samy earned gold in the men’s under-60kg category with victory over Tunisia’s Fraj Dhoubi.

The bronze medals went to Algeria’s Billel Yagoubi and Younes Saddiki of Morocco.

The men’s under-66kg title went to Angola’s Edmilson Pedro following victory over Abderrahmane Boushita of Morocco, with Zambia’s Steven Mungandu and Imad Bassou of Morocco picking up bronze medals.

The African Judo Championships are scheduled to take place until Sunday (May 29).