Silver Glory: Khushbu Rajakbai Darjada Shines at Youth Olympics
Gujarat's Khushbu Rajakbai Darjada secures a silver medal in judo at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games. Read her journey from Somnath to Senegal.
India has added another feather to its sporting cap as Khushbu Rajakbai Darjada clinched a silver medal in the women's -63kg judo event at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Senegal. In a high-stakes final, the young Indian athlete put up a spirited fight but ultimately fell to Germany's Jolina Reinhold, securing the second spot on the podium.
A Historic Achievement for Indian Judo
Khushbu's victory is a landmark moment for the sport in India. She has become only the second Indian judoka to ever win a medal at the Youth Olympic Games. This prestigious feat puts her in the company of Manipur’s Tababi Devi, who previously secured a silver medal at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games.
This silver medal marks Khushbu's second international success this year. Earlier, she demonstrated her prowess by winning a bronze medal in the same weight category at the Asian Cadet Championships held in Amman, Jordan.
The Road to the Final
Khushbu's journey to the gold medal round was marked by a series of dominant performances against tough international opponents:
- First Round: She began her campaign by outplaying Mamaissata Camara of Guinea.
- Quarterfinal: She continued her momentum by defeating Abir Bouazzaoui of Morocco.
- Semifinal: Khushbu secured her place in the final by beating Dounia Berrahoual of Algeria.
Reflecting on the final bout, Khushbu stated that she felt mentally and physically prepared to take on the experienced Jolina Reinhold. She described the opportunity to compete in Dakar as an invaluable global-level experience.
From Somnath to the World Stage
The story of Khushbu's rise is one of dedication and rapid growth. Hailing from Somnath in Gujarat, the youngest of seven siblings, she only began her sporting journey in 2021 at a local judo academy in Somnath. Her early success at the district level provided the necessary motivation to pursue the sport seriously.
Her trajectory shifted gears two years later when she was selected for the Vijayi Bharat Foundation (VBF), a high-performance center located in Ahmedabad. Under the guidance of coach Lal Krishan Baghel, Khushbu refined her technique and strength.
"Better training and good sparring partners at the VBF enabled Khushbu to win a medal in Dakar," noted coach Lal Krishan Baghel.
No Time for Rest
While most athletes would take a break to celebrate such a monumental achievement with their families, Khushbu is already looking toward her next challenge. Despite her silver medal win, she expressed doubt that she would be able to take leave to visit her parents in Somnath.
The determined athlete is already gearing up for the upcoming Khelo India competition, proving that her hunger for victory remains unsatiated.