STATE JUDO CHAMPIONSHIPS 2025–26 CONCLUDE ON A GRAND SUCCESSFUL NOTE

STATE JUDO CHAMPIONSHIPS 2025–26 CONCLUDE ON A GRAND SUCCESSFUL NOTE

The State Judo Championships 2025–26, organised by the Goa Judo Association, concluded on a grand and successful note with spirited performances across Junior and Senior categories in both Men and Women divisions. The championship witnessed participation from leading clubs and training centres across the state, highlighting the steady growth and rising standard of judo in Goa.

In the Junior Men section, Pawn Patel (RCC Ponda) won gold in the Below 55 kg category, while Sido Murmu (RCC Panaji) secured first place in Below 60 kg. Rishu Yadav (SAI STC Ponda) dominated the Below 66 kg division, and Pruthviraj Herekar (Shri Bhumika Judo Sangh) topped the Below 81 kg category. Samarth Churmuri (RCC Ponda) clinched gold in the +100 kg division. Shri Bhumika Judo Sangh emerged as Overall Champions in Junior Men, with RCC Ponda finishing runners-up.

In the Junior Women category, Sherin Varghese (Shri Bhumika Judo Sangh) secured gold in Below 44 kg, Trisha Kawat (SAI STC Peddem) won the Below 48 kg division, and Vidhya Jamadar (RCC Panaji) topped the Below 52 kg category. Aryan Kadam (Warrior Academy) won gold in Below 57 kg, while Suhana Parwar (Jaya Dojo) claimed first place in Below 63 kg. Maybiti Murmu (RCC Panaji) and Kashish Kharude (Shri Bhumika Judo Sangh) secured gold in the +70 kg and +78 kg categories respectively. Shri Bhumika Judo Sangh were crowned Overall Champions in Junior Women, with RCC Panaji as runners-up.

Among the Senior Men, Jagdish Yadahalli (RCC Panaji) won gold in Below 55 kg, Nippu Yadav (SAI STC Ponda) secured first place in Below 60 kg, and Rishu Yadav (SAI STC Ponda) emerged victorious in Below 66 kg. Mohit Kumar (SAI STC Ponda) won the Below 73 kg category, Harshit Sadhya (SAI STC Ponda) claimed gold in Below 90 kg, and Rishav Singh (RCC Ponda) topped the +100 kg division. SAI STC Ponda were declared Overall Champions in Senior Men, while RCC Ponda finished runners-up.

In the Senior Women section, Tanishka Shivolkar (RCC Mapusa) won gold in Below 48 kg, Chandani Jha (RCC Mapusa) topped the Below 52 kg category, and Rashmi Jadhav (Shri Bhumika Judo Sangh) secured first place in Below 57 kg. Vedika Varandekar (Shri Bhumika Judo Sangh) won the Below 63 kg division, Isha Fernandes (RCC Panaji) clinched gold in Below 70 kg, Priti Kalmankar (RCC Panaji) secured first place in Below 78 kg, and Iram Khatri (RCC Panaji) emerged victorious in the +78 kg category. RCC Panaji were crowned Overall Champions in Senior Women, with Shri Bhumika Judo Sangh finishing runners-up.

Speaking on the overall success of the event, Kripesh Vengurlekar, General Secretary of the Goa Judo Association, said, “The State Judo Championships 2025–26 has been a tremendous success, reflecting the growing standard of judo in Goa. The athletes displayed excellent technique, discipline and sportsmanship throughout the competition. We are proud of the efforts put in by the players, coaches, officials and supporting institutions. This championship gives us great confidence as we prepare our judokas for higher-level competitions.”