Indian Para Judokas Celebrate Medal Wins at Asian Para Games

Para Judokas Return to India After Asian Para Games Success

New Delhi, October 23: Indian para judoka Kokila Kaushik expressed her determination to come back stronger and aim for gold in future competitions after returning to India with a silver medal from the 2026 Asian Para Games held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. Kokila secured silver in the women's J2 52kg category, contributing to the Indian para judo team's overall success, which included a bronze medal by Kapil Parmar in the men's J1 70kg category.

At the Indira Gandhi International Airport, where family members greeted the athletes, Kokila shared her pride in winning a medal for India. "I just won a silver medal. We hoped for gold, but we got silver this time, so we are happy for now. I mean, we got a medal for India, and next time it will be gold," she stated. "I am feeling very good to make India feel proud," she added.

Future Goals and Preparation

Kokila, who previously won bronze at the 2023 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, is now focusing on upcoming major events. "The World Games are next year, and after that, there are the 2028 Paralympics. I will practice well for that," she mentioned.

In the gold medal match in Aichi-Nagoya, Kokila faced Kyrgyzstan's Aibike Ulanbek Kyzy, losing in just 21 seconds after her opponent achieved victory by Ippon.

Association Perspectives on Performance

Munawar Anzar, CEO of the Indian Blind and Para Judo Association, expressed pride in the team's two-medal achievement but acknowledged the increasing competitiveness in the sport. "We are very proud. The biggest thing is that when we win medals for India in the Para Asian Games and the Paralympics, there's a different kind of pride when the flag goes up. We prepared really well, but as competition intensifies, it becomes more challenging. Our focus is now on the upcoming World Games, and we aim to bring home medals there too. For the LA Paralympics, our target is to win at least two medals, just like we did here," Anzar stated.

Regarding Kokila's performance, Anzar noted her youth and potential for growth. "Kokila is the youngest in her weight category at just 22, while her competitors are typically 28 to 30 years old from countries like Kazakhstan or Kyrgyzstan. It will take her another year or two to reach that level and surpass them," he explained.

Reflections from Kapil Parmar

Kapil Parmar, who earned bronze in the men's J1 70kg event, shared his determination to secure a medal after narrowly missing the final. "I competed in the 70 kg category this time. I lost in the semifinals to an Indonesian athlete, but then we worked even harder for the bronze. Our coach emphasized that we couldn't return empty-handed. I ended up beating Indonesia again within a few minutes to secure the bronze," he recounted.

Parmar defeated Indonesia's Shidqi Rafli Ahnaf by Ippon in 69 seconds during the bronze medal match. This victory added to his collection after winning silver at the Hangzhou 2023 Asian Para Games. The 25-year-old made history at the Paris 2024 Paralympics as the first Indian judoka to win a Paralympic medal, securing bronze. His journey back to judo followed a tragic accident that left him blind, but he persevered and trained at an academy in Lucknow under coach Anzar.

Reflecting on his latest achievement, Parmar expressed mixed feelings about not winning gold but was grateful for his podium finish. "There's a little sadness about missing the gold because we had prepared for it. But it's okay; it's God's blessing that we didn't return empty-handed. I want to thank the government, the Sports Minister, PM Modi ji, TOPS, and OGQ. I hope their support continues," he said.

Family Support and Future Outlook

Kokila's father, Krishna Kumar Kaushik, shared the family's hopes for her to improve upon her previous bronze medal by winning gold in the future. "My daughter Kokila Kaushik won a bronze medal at the previous Para Asian Games in China. Now, our target was gold. But we will try for that next time; she's going to give it her all—she'll put in the effort, use her mind, and work with full energy. The coaches will address any mistakes that kept them from getting the gold, and she'll practice her judo repeatedly," he stated.

"They were really happy about the medal. We wanted a change in the color of the medal because if the medal's color changes, our lives will change, our child's life will change, and we'll feel like we're actually doing something for the country. Thank you to everyone across the country. Huge congratulations, and blessings to Kokila, my daughter," he concluded.