Udaipur, Dec 9 (NationPress) Since moving to the SAI National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) in Bhopal six years ago, Ritik Sharma has seen his career soar. The talented judoka from Punjab showcased his skill yet again with an impressive showing at the Khelo India University Games (KIUG) in Rajasthan 2025.

In his fourth appearance at the KIUG, held at the Atal Bihari Vajpayee Indoor Hall in Udaipur, Ritik represented Lovely Professional University (LPU) and achieved his third gold medal, complementing his previous bronze.

This victory was particularly significant as it followed a tough experience. Ritik went straight to Udaipur after a disappointing first-round exit at the Asian Open Championships in Hong Kong, choosing not to linger on the setback.

Instead, he utilized the insights gained from that international competition to deliver a poised and assured performance, ultimately defeating his familiar adversary Yash Ghangas in the men’s +100kg final.

The rivalry between Ritik and Yash has its roots in their teenage years. They first faced off in the final of the 2020 Khelo India Youth Games in Guwahati, and their encounters remain fiercely competitive, particularly as they both train at the same NCOE.

“There are only a few judokas in our category, so we’ve known each other for years. I initially defeated him at the Guwahati KIYG, and I’m pleased to have triumphed again at KIUG 2025,” Ritik noted, stressing the importance of gaining more international experience.

“Even though I exited early in Hong Kong, I returned with valuable lessons and positives. The mental aspect is crucial; these exposure trips teach you how world and Olympic champions approach the sport, their techniques, and how they train with elite competitors,” he explained.

Ritik’s journey began in Gurdaspur, a less accessible district in Punjab bordering Pakistan. Opportunities were limited, with few organized sports programs or training facilities available during his upbringing. However, in 2015, at just 14, Ritik discovered his passion for judo and committed himself to the sport.

As the youngest of three siblings and the son of an ASI in the Punjab Police, Ritik began his training at the prestigious Shaheed Bhagat Singh JFI coaching centre, which has produced over 50 international and 100 national-level judokas. The solid foundation he established there helped him stay resilient in the face of global challenges.

Despite returning without medals from last year’s Grand Slams in Kazakhstan and Tajikistan, the 24-year-old is rejuvenated by his KIUG gold as he gears up for the upcoming Senior National Championships, set to commence on December 11 in Imphal.

For Ritik, the shortage of quality training partners in his weight class poses a significant challenge, but he continues to strive for excellence, now setting his sights on the ambitious goal of qualifying for the 2026 Commonwealth Games.