Khushbu Darjada Strikes Gold at Khelo India Youth Games 2025, Continues Family Tradition in Judo

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Carrying forward the rich legacy set by her elder sister, Shahin Darjada-a four-time Khelo India medallist-Khushbu Darjada emerged victorious in the 57kg judo category at the Khelo India Youth Games 2025 in Bihar.

The final, held at Gyan Bhavan, saw a thrilling contest where Khushbu edged past Maharashtra's Shravani S in a closely fought bout to clinch the gold medal.

Heading into the tournament, Shahin had expressed strong faith in her younger sister's potential. Khushbu didn't disappoint, showcasing composure and technical finesse throughout the competition.

The final bout saw both athletes trade early points, with Khushbu drawing first blood and Shravani quickly responding. Ultimately, Khushbu maintained tactical patience, waiting for the perfect opportunity to pin her opponent and seal the victory.

A proud representative of Jambur village in Gujarat-often referred to as the 'Mini Africa' of the state-Khushbu belongs to the Siddi community, an ethnic group of African descent settled near Gir. The region has quietly become a breeding ground for young sports talents, with Khushbu being among its brightest stars in judo.

Inspired by Shahin's achievements, Khushbu began her journey in the sport at just seven years old. She initially trained at an academy in Gir Somnath for four years before making the shift to Ahmedabad's prestigious Vijay Bharat Sports Academy (VBSA), a renowned hub for emerging judo talent in India.

"I was inspired by my sister's success, and it helped me to focus only on one sport. I trained at the academy in Gir Somnath for four years, before I joined my sister at VBSA. The facilities at the Academy are great, and the support from the coaches has helped me reach here," Khushbu said.

A student of Class 10 at Somnath Academy in her hometown, Khushbu is one of seven siblings. She acknowledges the unwavering support of her parents as crucial to her progress. Her father works at a government Circuit House, while her mother takes care of the household.

"Our parents have really been supportive of our choices. In my case it wasn't as difficult as Shahin had already started by then but when she began winning medals in major competitions, my confidence grew from there," she shared.

Prior to her triumph in Bihar, Khushbu had already started making waves, securing a bronze at the Cadet National Championships last year and a silver at the School Games earlier this year. With the Khelo India gold now in her kitty, she has her sights set on a bigger goal: the Cadet Asian Championships scheduled for later this year.