'Next Time It Will Be Gold': Para Judoka Kokila Kaushik Sets Sights Higher After Asian Para Games Silver
Para judoka Kokila Kaushik returns to India with silver from the 2026 Asian Para Games, eyeing gold for the 2028 Paralympics.
Returning to the soil of her homeland with a silver medal around her neck, Indian para judoka Kokila Kaushik has sent a clear message to her competitors: she is coming back for the gold. After a hard-fought campaign at the 2026 Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan, Kokila arrived at the Indira Gandhi International Airport in New Delhi to a warm welcome from her family and supporters.
Competing in the women's J2 52kg category, the 22-year-old athlete expressed a mix of satisfaction and ambition. While she is proud to have brought glory to India, the hunger for the top spot on the podium is evident.
"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," Kokila told ANI. "I am feeling very good to make India feel proud."
A Quick Battle, A Long-Term Goal
The gold medal match was a whirlwind for Kokila, ending in just 21 seconds. Her opponent from Kyrgyzstan, Aibike Ulanbek Kyzy, secured a victory by Ippon, leaving Kokila with the silver. However, this is not a setback but a stepping stone for the young athlete, who had previously won a bronze medal at the 2023 Hangzhou Asian Para Games.
Kokila is already looking toward the horizon, with her eyes set on the World Games next year and the 2028 Paralympics. She emphasized that her focus will now shift toward rigorous practice to bridge the gap between her and the world's best.
The Youth Advantage
Munawar Anzar, CEO of the Indian Blind and Para Judo Association, highlighted that Kokila's age is actually her greatest asset. At 22, she is significantly younger than her primary rivals from Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan, who are typically in the 28 to 30 age bracket.
Anzar noted that while the competition is becoming increasingly fierce, Kokila has the time to develop the strength and experience needed to dominate her category. "It will take her another year or two to reach that level and beat them," he remarked.
Kapil Parmar: The Resilience of a Champion
The Indian contingent's success wasn't limited to Kokila. Kapil Parmar added to the tally by securing a bronze medal in the men's J1 70kg category. Parmar's journey to the podium was a rollercoaster; after a disappointing loss in the semifinals to an Indonesian athlete, he rallied back in the bronze medal match.
Determined not to return home empty-handed, Parmar faced Indonesia's Shidqi Rafli Ahnaf once again, defeating him by Ippon in just 69 seconds to claim the bronze.
Parmar's story is one of extraordinary resilience. A former silver medalist at the 2023 Hangzhou games and the first Indian judoka to win a Paralympic medal (bronze at Paris 2024), Parmar overcame a life-altering accident. He had been electrocuted while working in a waterlogged field, an event that left him completely blind. Following his recovery and training at an academy in Lucknow under coach Anzar, he rose to become a global sporting icon.
The Road to LA 2028
The Indian para judo team is now pivoting toward future milestones. Munawar Anzar expressed immense pride in the two-medal haul but acknowledged the rising standards of the sport internationally.
The immediate target is the upcoming World Games, where the team aims to replicate their success. Looking further ahead, the association has set a bold target for the LA Paralympics: to bring home at least two medals, mirroring their achievement in Aichi-Nagoya.