The significant rise of India at national level

India is rising and the growth can be seen at national level as the participation at the national championships went through the roof with 300 men and 144 women, totaling 444 competitors. On the 13th and 14th of March 2024, the Jadhav Indoor Stadium in New Delhi hosted the senior national championships of India, putting judo in the spotlight.

The lightweight categories saw remarkable participation, with -60 kg being the most densely populated category with 66 judokas. Additionally, the -48 kg and -52 kg categories had 36 and 37 participants respectively, making them the most well-represented groups for the women's events. Notably, the competition included athletes who have recently competed on the World Judo Tour.

Last year at the Asian Open in Kuwait India celebrated eight medals and five final spots. Especially the women who are successful in India.

The event served multiple purposes, including informing selections for the senior national team for the 2024-2025 season and creating a long list of candidates for the forthcoming Asian Championships scheduled from the 20th to the 23rd of April in Hong Kong.

India's gradual rise in judo has been evident, starting notably in 2022 at the World Cadet Championships in Sarajevo. Athletes like Swaita (-48 kg), Tokas (-63 kg), and Yadav participated in the Delhi event. Additionally, Tulika Maan (+78 kg), although absent from Delhi, has already secured her place for the continental meet and will also compete at the Olympic Games in Paris through the continental quota. Maan is number 46 of the world ranking and the highest seeded athlete from India. Avtar Singh fighting U100kg is the best male seeded at 57 in the IJF World Ranking.