Indian Judokas Secure Japan Training Stint Following Historic Glasgow Success
NEW DELHI: India’s stellar performance at the recent Glasgow Commonwealth Games has acted as a catalyst for the country’s judo program, unlocking significant international training opportunities for its rising stars. Following a historic medal haul, the Sports Ministry has fast-tracked overseas exposure plans for the national squad ahead of two major upcoming global assignments.
The success in Scotland, highlighted by maiden Commonwealth Games gold medals for Asmita Dey and Harsh Singh, has emboldened the national federation’s push for high-performance training. This strategic move aims to sharpen the team’s competitive edge as they transition from the regional success of the Commonwealth arena to the more rigorous challenges of the continental and world stages.
Japan Beckons for Asian Games Hopefuls
In a bid to maintain momentum, the national squad bound for the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya is set to travel to Japan for an intensive pre-Games training camp.
Asmita Dey (48kg), Yamini Mourya (57kg), and Inunganbi Takhellambam (70kg) are scheduled to train at the prestigious Tsukuba University from September 5 to October 2. This stint is designed to provide the athletes with world-class facilities and allow for vital acclimatization ahead of the Aichi-Nagoya Games, which kick off on September 19.
Preparing for the World Stage
Beyond the Asian Games squad, the Sports Ministry has also cleared a separate overseas training program for the senior team preparing for the World Judo Championships, scheduled to be held in Baku, Azerbaijan, beginning October 4.
The decision to invest in these overseas stints follows the recent Glasgow Commonwealth Games medal haul, which served as a proving ground for the current crop of talent. By competing against international peers in neutral, high-pressure environments, the ministry aims to bridge the gap between Indian judo and the global elite.
Selection Hurdles Remain
While the Glasgow Games served as a confidence booster, it did not guarantee automatic selection for the upcoming continental multi-sport event. The national selection committee has maintained a strict benchmark: to qualify for the Asian Games, athletes must be ranked among the top six individuals or the top eight teams in Asia.
Consequently, despite their impressive showing in Glasgow, several members of the medal-winning contingent have not been named to the Asian Games squad, highlighting the depth of competition and the rigorous standards now being enforced to ensure India remains a credible threat in international judo.
