Khushbu Darjada Wins Historic Silver at Dakar Youth Olympics, Continues India's Judo Legacy

India's Khushbu Rajakbhai Darjada scripted a significant chapter in the country's sporting history by winning the silver medal in the women's 63kg judo competition at the Dakar 2026 Youth Olympic Games. 

The 15-year-old produced an impressive run to reach the final before losing to Germany's Jolina Reinhold, the Cadet World Champion, to finish second. Darjada's achievement made her only the second Indian judoka to win a medal at the Youth Olympic Games and ensured that India continued its medal-winning record in the sport at the event. Her silver was also India's second medal of the day in Dakar, adding to an encouraging campaign for the Indian contingent.

The result carries particular significance because India's previous Youth Olympic judo medal had come through Thangjam Tababi Devi, who won silver in the women's 44kg category at the 2018 Games in Buenos Aires. Eight years later, Darjada has matched that achievement, reinforcing India's growing presence in international junior judo.

Darjada, India's lone participant in the girls' 63kg category, began her campaign with a victory over Camara Mamaissata. The Indian secured a narrow 1-0 win through a yuko, booking her place in the quarter-finals.

The next challenge was Morocco's Abir Bouazzaoui. Darjada raised her performance and defeated her opponent by ippon to move into the semi-finals, putting herself within one victory of a guaranteed medal. She continued her impressive run in the semi-final against Algeria's Dounia Berrahoual. Darjada secured another ippon victory, winning by 100-002 according to the supplied result, to book her place in the gold-medal contest.

Reaching the final was already a major achievement. At just 15, Darjada had progressed through three challenging bouts and guaranteed India at least a silver medal in a discipline where the country has historically had limited representation on the Youth Olympic podium.

Her victories also demonstrated her ability to finish contests decisively. After a narrow opening-round success, she secured back-to-back ippon victories in the quarter-final and semi-final, showing increasing authority as the competition progressed.

Final challenge against Cadet World Champion

The final brought Darjada up against Germany's Jolina Reinhold, a Cadet World Champion and one of the leading competitors in the category. The Indian was unable to overcome the German, who secured victory through ippon using Osaekomi-waza, a hold-down technique. Darjada was pinned, bringing her gold-medal challenge to an end.

Although the final did not go her way, the silver medal represented a significant achievement for the young Indian. Reaching the championship bout against an established international opponent provided valuable experience and confirmed her ability to compete at the highest level of junior judo.

Darjada had entered the final with the opportunity to become India's first-ever judo gold medallist at the Youth Olympic Games. While that milestone remains unfulfilled, her performance has ensured that the country has another Youth Olympic judo medallist.

Following in Tababi Devi's footsteps

Darjada's silver continues a small but important tradition for Indian judo at the Youth Olympic Games. At the 2018 edition in Buenos Aires, Thangjam Tababi Devi won silver in the women's 44kg category, becoming India's first Youth Olympic judo medallist. Her achievement established a benchmark for the next generation of Indian judokas.

Darjada has now become the second Indian judoka to reach a Youth Olympic medal podium and the second to win silver. The eight-year gap between the two achievements highlights how significant each breakthrough has been for Indian judo.

For the sport, the result provides another example of India's ability to produce young athletes capable of progressing through demanding international competitions. Darjada's run, particularly her two ippon victories in the knockout rounds, will offer encouragement to the wider junior wrestling and judo community.

Darjada's performance in Dakar is especially encouraging given her age. At 15, she has already secured a Youth Olympic silver medal and demonstrated the ability to defeat multiple opponents on the international stage.

Her campaign also reflects the importance of gaining exposure to major competitions at the cadet and youth levels. Facing athletes from different judo systems, adapting to different styles and handling the pressure of knockout contests are essential parts of an athlete's development.

The final against Reinhold will provide important lessons, but it should not overshadow the quality of Darjada's overall performance. She entered the competition as India's sole representative in the women's 63kg category and emerged with a silver medal after reaching the final.

India's judo history at the Youth Olympic Games now has two names: Tababi Devi and Khushbu Darjada. The latter's achievement in Dakar is another important milestone for the sport, and at just 15, she has considerable time to build on this success.

The gold medal may have eluded her, but Darjada has delivered a performance that Indian judo can celebrate. Her silver is not just a personal achievement; it is another step forward for the country's presence on the international judo stage.