I was not under pressure at All Africa Games - Michaela Whitebooi

The 28-year-old managed a podium position by getting a bronze medal in her female 48kg weight class category.

Speaking to SABC Sport, the Olympic Games bound athlete discussed her performance at the continental tournament.

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"I received a bronze medal, coming into this competition I didn't want to put a lot of expectations on myself and a lot of pressure. I really just wanted to enjoy it and have fun because this competition was basically just for me to see my level at the beginning of the year and also how I can compete further on for my next competitions. Also to see the competitions for the Africa Championships," Whitebooi said.

Whitebooi is still trying to accomplish direct qualification for the Olympics in Paris – as things stand, she is heading to the global event based on her ranking in Africa.

She has a few qualifiers lined up.

"I will be leaving soon for my next competitions and I'm pretty happy with my result. Obviously, I'm not excited about it because I always wanna be on top but I'm happy with what I got. I still got to be in the podium and I still got to make my country proud," Whitebooi added.

For Whitebooi, the All Africa Games were never about tiring herself out, but more of an opportunity to iron out a few technical concerns on her judo.

"The Africa Games is a stepping stone for me to analyse where my fitness level is. My level of judo and what I need to improve on for my mental prep, my physical prep and also my technical and tactical work for the next few competitions that's coming up which is the grand slam in Georgia, the grand slam in Antalya, also the Africa Championships which all counts points towards Paris Olympic Games qualification which ends in June 2024."