In a historic moment for Indian sports, judoka Himanshi Tokas has become the first-ever Indian, male or female, to claim the World No. 1 ranking in the junior women’s -63kg category. The 20-year-old’s rise to the top of the International Judo Federation (IJF) junior world rankings marks the dawn of a new era for a sport long dominated by global powerhouses like Japan and France.
Her achievement is the culmination of a journey defined by immense courage and resilience. At just 18, when her family questioned her choice of judo, it was her mother who stood like a shield, instilling in her the belief that courage was worth more than conformity. This unwavering support became her greatest strength, helping her overcome significant challenges, including a serious eye injury that threatened to end her career.
Himanshi’s ascent has been a rapid one. After winning a silver medal at the Sub-Junior Nationals in 2019, she earned a place at the Sports Authority of India’s Centre of Excellence in Bhopal following an impressive fifth-place finish at the 2020 Khelo India Youth Games.
This year has been nothing short of spectacular for the young athlete. She has won three major titles, including gold medals at the Casablanca African Open, the Taipei Junior Asian Cup, and, most recently, the Asian Junior Championships. These victories propelled her to the top of the world rankings with 610 points, a landmark achievement for Indian judo.
Himanshi’s success is a testament to her relentless dedication and hard work, which has been supported by her coach Yashpal Solanki and through high-level training camps in Japan. As she continues to train and compete, her historic ranking is not just a personal victory, but a powerful inspiration for aspiring judokas across the country, proving that India is ready to take its place on the global judo stage.
