Indian squad is a mix of experience and youth, and they will be eying medal in Judo since 1994.
The Asian Games will take place in Hangzhou in 2023, and the Indian Judo Squad is gearing up for their moment to shine. Judo is a Japanese martial art that has been part of the Asian Games since 1986, and the Indian team is looking to make a name for themselves on the international stage. With a mix of veteran leadership and young talent, the Indian Judo Squad has the potential to produce positive results at the 2023 Asian Games.
History in Judo at the Asian Games
India started in Judo quite well in 1986, when they got four bronze medals. The winners were Sandeep Byala(65kg), Cawas Billimoria(<95kg), Shyam Singh Gurjar(>95kg) and Bannu Singh (Openweight). Later, in 1994, Poonam Chopra won bronze in 56 kg, becoming the first and only woman to win a medal in judo at the Asian Games. Since then, India has failed to obtain any medals, despite a promising start.
Leading the charge for the Indian Judo Squad is the experienced and highly decorated fighter, Avtar Singh. Avtar was a gold medal winner at the South Asian Games held in Guwahati in 2016. The 31-year-old sport's veteran has represented India in numerous international competitions. Avtar is a powerhouse on the mat, known for his physical strength and incredible technique. He is expected to lead the Indian Judo Squad as they take on the best in Asia in 2023. He completes in the 100kg category.
Tulika Mann
Joining Avtar Singh on the Indian Judo Squad is a young crop of talented fighters. One of these young guns is Tulika Mann. At just 25 years old, Tulika is a rising star in Judo. She has represented India at the junior level, winning numerous medals, and is now ready to make her mark on the senior circuit. She sent shockwaves in 2022 when she was guided to the silver medal. Tulika also clinched gold in the 2019 Asian Games. Tulika is known for her speed and agility, making her a difficult opponent for any fighter. With the guidance of Avtar Singh and the rest of the Indian Judo Squad, Tulika has the potential to become a force to be reckoned with in the tournament.
Garima Chowdhury
Another experienced talent on the Indian Judo Squad is Garima. The 33-year-old fighter had shown great promise in his youth, winning medals at various international competitions. Garima is known for her versatility and ability to compete in multiple weight categories. Her technical skills and ability to adapt to her opponent make her a valuable asset to the Indian Judo Squad. She also won a gold medal at the 2019 South Asian Games.
Indubala Devi
The Indian Judo Squad has a few surprises, including Maibam Indubala Devi. Maibam Indubala lives in Lilong. She practices at the Inspire Institute of Sports in Bellary and is the daughter of Maibam Amujao Singh.
Gold medalist Indubala won at the Gujarat National Games in 2022. She also won gold medals at the Khelo India University Games in Bangalore, the Inter-University Games in Kanpur, and the Senior National Judo Championship in Lucknow last year.
She won a silver medal in the Asian Open 2023 this year in Kuwait and competed in the Dushanbe Grand Prix in Tajikistan. She had additionally taken part in the Madrid 2022 European Open.
Overall, the Indian Judo Squad looks strong heading into the 2023 Asian Games. Led by veteran fighter Avtar Singh and a talented group of young fighters, the Indian team has the potential to compete with the best in Asia.
