Mumbai, July 30: Yamini Maurya, the first Indian judoka to win a medal at the FISU World University Games, is set to compete in the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow. She is eager to showcase her skills on an international platform.
Yamini has established herself as one of India’s top judokas in the women’s 57 kg category. The 28-year-old athlete has clinched gold medals at both the African Open and Asian Open. She is now relying on that experience to achieve success in Glasgow.
Before her event, she stated, “In judo, you cannot think too far ahead because each bout is different. My focus is always on the match in front of me and executing what we have worked on in training. The preparation has been good, and I feel confident. Now, it’s about staying calm, making the right decisions on the mat, and giving my best in every match.”
Yamini mentioned that her experiences from previous international competitions have boosted her confidence.
She added, “Competing against strong international opponents teaches you something every time. You learn where you need to improve and what works under pressure. Those experiences have helped me become a better athlete. I am excited to test myself again at the Commonwealth Games.”
Yamini highlighted the advantages of training at the Inspire Institute of Sport, saying, “The biggest benefit is that everything happens in one place. From nutrition and physiotherapy to recovery and training, we have a great support system around us, allowing me to focus entirely on judo. Living on campus with athletes from different sports, all pursuing the same dream, is also very inspiring. It motivates you to work harder every day and become a better athlete.”
She concluded, “Wearing the Indian jersey is always a matter of pride. Every athlete wants to perform well for their country, and I am no different. I will approach each bout with confidence, giving my all to make India proud.”
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