Asian Para Games 2026: Kokila wins silver in women's J2 -52kg judo
Synopsis
A visually impaired judoka from Haryana's Jind district, Kokila defeated China's reigning world champion Yi Liu in the semifinal before losing the gold-medal final by ippon in 21 seconds. Her silver in Aichi-Nagoya is an upgrade on her Hangzhou bronze — and a sign that Indian para-judo is quietly building a presence at the continental level.
Key Takeaways
Kokila won the silver medal in women's J2 -52kg judo at the 2026 Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya on 19 October .
She lost the gold-medal final to Kyrgyzstan's Aibike Ulanbek Kyzy by ippon in just 21 seconds .
In the semifinal, Kokila defeated China's reigning world champion Yi Liu to guarantee India a medal.
The silver improves on her bronze-medal finish in the -48kg category at the previous Asian Para Games in Hangzhou .
Kokila, from Jind district, Haryana , has also represented India at the Paris 2024 Paralympics .
India's Kokila claimed the silver medal in the women's J2 -52kg judo event at the 2026 Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya on Monday, 19 October, falling short of gold after Kyrgyzstan's Aibike Ulanbek Kyzy defeated her by ippon in just 21 seconds in the gold-medal bout at the Aichi Prefectural Martial Arts Hall.
Road to the Final
Kokila's path to the final was built on a standout semifinal victory over China's reigning world champion Yi Liu — a result that guaranteed India at least a bronze before the title bout. In that semifinal, Kokila registered a waza-ari and a yuko against her Chinese opponent, with Liu also scoring a waza-ari and Kokila picking up a shido penalty for a minor rule infringement. The hard-fought win underlined her ability to compete at the highest level of para-judo.
Gold-Medal Bout: A Swift Defeat
The final, however, proved a different story. Ulanbek Kyzy delivered a decisive finish within 21 seconds, clinching gold with an ippon that left little time for Kokila to mount a challenge. The Kyrgyz judoka's explosive start proved impossible to overcome, and the Indian athlete was unable to replicate her semifinal form in the decisive contest.
An Improvement on Hangzhou
Despite the defeat, the silver represents a meaningful step forward for Kokila. At the previous Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, she had returned with a bronze in the women's -48kg category. Competing in the heavier -52kg division this time, she advanced all the way to the final — an improvement that reflects her growing competitive range and international experience.
Who Is Kokila
Kokila is a visually impaired judoka from Jind district in Haryana, competing in the J2 classification, which caters to athletes with varying degrees of visual impairment. She has previously represented India at the Paris 2024 Paralympics, making her one of the country's most experienced para-judo competitors on the continental and global circuit.
What It Means for Indian Para-Judo
Her silver in Aichi-Nagoya adds another continental podium finish to India's para-judo record and reinforces the discipline's growing profile in the country's Paralympic movement. While the gold medal eluded her, defeating a reigning world champion en route to the final underscores the progress Indian para-judo has made since Hangzhou 2022. Kokila returns home with silver — and a stronger case for continued support ahead of the next Paralympic cycle.
Point of View
A tougher field, and a better finish than Hangzhou. India's para-judo pipeline remains thin compared to its Paralympic ambitions, and Kokila's individual progress cannot substitute for the systemic investment the sport still needs. The Paris 2024 appearance and this Aichi-Nagoya silver should be the floor, not the ceiling.
NationPress
19 Oct 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
What medal did Kokila win at the 2026 Asian Para Games?
Kokila won the silver medal in the women's J2 -52kg judo event at the 2026 Asian Para Games in Aichi-Nagoya on 19 October. She lost the gold-medal final to Kyrgyzstan's Aibike Ulanbek Kyzy by ippon in 21 seconds.
Who defeated Kokila in the Asian Para Games judo final?
Kyrgyzstan's Aibike Ulanbek Kyzy defeated Kokila in the gold-medal final, winning by ippon in just 21 seconds at the Aichi Prefectural Martial Arts Hall.
How did Kokila reach the final at the 2026 Asian Para Games?
Kokila reached the final by defeating China's reigning world champion Yi Liu in the semifinal, scoring a waza-ari and a yuko. The win guaranteed India at least a bronze medal before the title bout.
How does Kokila's 2026 result compare to her previous Asian Para Games finish?
At the 2022 Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, Kokila won a bronze medal in the women's -48kg category. Her silver in Aichi-Nagoya in the -52kg division is an improvement, both in terms of the medal and the weight category contested.
Who is Kokila and what is her background?
Kokila is a visually impaired judoka from Jind district in Haryana who competes in the J2 classification for athletes with varying degrees of visual impairment. She has also represented India at the Paris 2024 Paralympics.
