Lucknow: The Uttar Pradesh Senior Men’s and Women’s Judo Championship concluded successfully in Lucknow, bringing together 288 athletes from 18 divisions across the state. Organized under the directives of the Uttar Pradesh Sports Directorate (letter number 5360/Vibha. Prati./2024-25, dated March 10, 2025), the tournament took place from March 21 to March 23, 2025. The event witnessed fierce competition among judo players aiming for top honors in their respective weight categories.
The championship culminated with a grand closing and award ceremony, where the chief guest, Prakash Chandra, Vice President of the Uttar Pradesh Judo Association, presented prizes to the athletes who secured first, second, and third positions in various categories. The event was graced by esteemed dignitaries, including Ravi Kant, Kripa Shankar, Jaya Sahu, Lal Kumar, and Sushil Kumar. Concluding the event, Regional Sports Officer of Lucknow, Animesh Saxena, extended his gratitude to the chief guest and all attendees for their participation and support.
The competition showcased remarkable talent, with judo players exhibiting exceptional skill and determination. In the girls’ category, Priya from Moradabad claimed first place in the under-70 kg weight class, followed by Kirti from Meerut in second place. Shalini from Prayagraj and Dolly from Moradabad secured the two third-place spots. In the under-78 kg category, Khushi from Gorakhpur emerged victorious. The above-78 kg division saw Vishakha from Lucknow clinch the top spot, while Seema from Bareilly secured second place.
In the boys’ category, Vidhan from Lucknow dominated the 100 kg weight class, securing first place, while Abhishek from Lucknow finished second. Vansh from Moradabad and Suraj from Varanasi shared third place. In the above-100 kg category, Sushant from Lucknow took home the gold, with Harshit from Varanasi finishing in second place and Ankit from Kanpur securing third place.
The championship served as a testament to the growing prominence of judo in Uttar Pradesh, highlighting the dedication and hard work of athletes across the state. The successful execution of the tournament reinforced the commitment of the Uttar Pradesh Sports Directorate to nurturing sporting talent and promoting judo as a mainstream competitive sport.
