Historic Win: Kokila Secures Silver Spot for India at 2026 Asian Para Games

Nagoya, 19 Oct – Kokila’s 1‑0 triumph over Chinese world champion Yi Liu in the women’s J2‑52 kg semi‑final guarantees India a silver medal at the 2026 Asian Para Games. The victory marks a milestone for Indian para‑judo, as the athlete moved past the reigning champion with a decisive technical score.

Both competitors accumulated points through waza‑ari and yuko. Kokila earned the second‑best technical score, while Liu managed a waza‑ari of her own. Kokila’s minor shido for a rule violation did not affect the final outcome.

The 2023 Hangzhou bronze‑medallist in the –48 kg category stepped up to a higher weight class for this edition. Her opponent in the final will be Aibek Ulanbek Kaji of Kyrgyzstan, offering Kokila a chance to chase gold.

Kokila also represented India at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, and her performance against a top‑ranked opponent boosts confidence ahead of future international events.