NASSAU, Bahamas — Bahamian judoka Xavion Johnson, a two-time US Open Champion, is doing his part to take the national flag carrier of The Bahamas to the world, The Nassau Guardian reported on Tuesday, November 28, 2023, in an article written by Sports Editor Sheldon Longley.
The 17-year-old mat technician signed a contract with Bahamasair on Monday, showcasing that brand on his national team judogi and also benefiting from the airline’s travel in and out of the country. The sponsorship is in the form of cash and value in-kind.
Johnson is the first junior athlete to be sponsored by the national flag carrier post-COVID.
“This is a very proud moment for Bahamasair – to be able to support an up-and-coming judo athlete in The Bahamas,” said Bahamasair Managing Director Tracy Cooper. “We want to be able to showcase what outstanding young Bahamian men are all about. Xavion is the best judo athlete who we have in The Bahamas today and Bahamasair is delighted to be able to provide partnership. When Xavion is fighting in the future, he will do so carrying the Bahamasair brand which we believe is ready for the world, and with him doing so, he will bring attention and promotion to the brand.
“He will be displaying Bahamasair as one of his sponsors and that is something that we are proud of. In turn, we will provide some means to getting in and out of The Bahamas for him and at some point when he wants to go around to some of the Family Islands to encourage others, we will be there for that. It is a mutual benefit for Bahamasair and Xavion. We are excited to have him on board, showing a new face for Bahamasair.”
The Bahamian judoka, who doesn’t turn 18 until next June, said he is proud to be a brand ambassador of Bahamasair, and looks forward to a fruitful and beneficial partnership.
“It feels amazing,” he said. “I love representing my country. I started when I was about eight years old and I’ll keep going for as long as I can. I’m very excited to sign this contract with Bahamasair and I’m very happy with everything that is going on.”
Johnson has experienced success in judo, locally, regionally and internationally, and with the latter, representing The Bahamas in about a dozen countries already. He is a two-time US Open Champion in judo, won gold in the Matsumae Cup in Vejie, Denmark, and he won gold at the 18th Annual Edmonton International Judo Championships in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, just to name a few of his golden accomplishments. Johnson competes in the under-18 (U18) men’s 60 kilogram (kg) division, but next year, he will be moving up to the under-21 (U21) men’s 66kg class.
“Judo gives you discipline and it gives you confidence,” he said. “You’re more courageous and more confident in yourself and it brings a certain level of satisfaction. There is always a schedule for judo so it keeps you disciplined.”
Mother Ordain Moss has supported him every step of the way and said she’s super proud of her son.
“I’m really amazed,” she said. “I believe that he is walking in his purpose and he has been this way since he started judo. It has been a privilege helping him to realize his dream. I am immensely proud of my son and immensely grateful for everyone who has supported him through the years because he wouldn’t be where he is today without that support. This is a monumental experience and I am so proud of him.”
Fred Mitchell, the member of Parliament for the Fox Hill constituency, where Johnson resides, extended congratulations and asked for continued support for young deserving Bahamians.
“Congratulations to Xavion and to Bahamasair for concluding this partnership agreement which will support his explorations overseas and take the Bahamasair brand around the world,” said Mitchell. “It is always a privilege to support the young people of the country, and in particular, males, because there is always a situation where the males might not be keeping up with the women. I think that it’s important that we continue to support Xavion and ensure that he gets as far as he can. We will do all that we can to continue to support him going into the future.”
President of the Bahamas Judo Federation (BJF) D’Arcy Rahming Sr. expressed pride in what Johnson is doing and said he looks forward to a beneficial relationship between the two parties.
“We are extremely proud of Xavion and we are extremely pleased with Bahamasair in their forward thinking in forging this partnership,” he said. “We believe that you won’t be disappointed in his character and in his efforts. He’s been training for a long time and there is a deep desire to succeed, so we really appreciate Bahamasair stepping forward as a sponsor. This is one of our young people who we want to show to the world.”
At his young age, Johnson has competed in the United States, Canada, Mexico, the Dominican Republic, Peru, Croatia, Portugal, Denmark, the Czech Republic and Bosnia and Herzegovina, just to name a few. He said his competition overseas gives him a greater understanding and appreciation of the outside world.
One of his goals is to qualify for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, United States, in judo, thereby becoming the first athlete from The Bahamas to compete in that sporting discipline at the Olympics.
See article in The Nassau Guardian at https://www.thenassauguardian.com/sports/judoka-johnson-signs-agreement-with-bahamasair/article_fe2dc286-8dfd-11ee-934f-b76d29060ec5.html
