Youth Olympics: 15-Year-Old Khushbu Rajakbhai Wins Silver in Judo, Becomes Second Indian to Reach Podium

Dakar, November 2: Indian judoka Khushbu Rajakbhai scripted a significant milestone at the Youth Olympic Games, winning silver in the women's 63kg category to become only the second Indian to claim a judo medal at the multi-sport event in Dakar, Senegal, on Monday (November 2).

The 15-year-old from Gujarat settled for silver after losing to Germany's Jolina Reinhold by ippon in the final, with the title clash lasting just 48 seconds. Khushbu had enjoyed an impressive run to the summit clash, raising hopes of a historic gold medal before coming up against the Cadet world champion.

Her silver medal puts her alongside Thangjam Tababi Devi, who remains India's only other judo medallist at the Youth Olympics. Tababi had won silver in the women's 44kg category at the 2018 edition in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

A gold medal would have also made Khushbu only the fourth Indian to win the top prize at the Youth Olympics. Pistol shooters Manu Bhaker and Saurabh Chaudhary, along with weightlifter Jeremy Lalrinnunga, had achieved the feat at the 2018 edition.

Khushbu's journey to the final was marked by a series of impressive performances. She began her campaign with a 1-0 yuko victory over Guinea's Mamaissata Camara in the round of 16 before defeating Morocco's Abir Bouazzaoui by ippon in the quarterfinals.

The Indian then secured her place in the final with another ippon victory over Algeria's Dounia Berrahoual. Her opponent was also handed a 'Hansoku-make', the most serious penalty in judo, resulting in immediate disqualification and an automatic victory for Khushbu.

Meanwhile, swimming sensation Dhinidhi Desinghu added another medal to India's campaign, securing bronze in the women's 100m freestyle.

The 16-year-old Bengaluru swimmer clocked 56.27 seconds to finish third in the final. Croatia's Ana Bobanovic won gold in 55.89 seconds, while New Zealand's Alyssa Lawson took silver in 56.13 seconds.

Dhinidhi had earlier topped her heat in 56.80 seconds to qualify third-fastest for the final, behind Bobanovic (56.22) and Lawson (56.53).

With Khushbu's silver and Dhinidhi's bronze, India added to its medal tally at the Dakar Youth Olympic Games, with the two teenagers continuing to make their mark on the international stage.