How Did Sohail Khan Qualify for the Kudo Asian Championship 2025?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Sohail Khan qualified for the Kudo Asian Championship 2025 in Tokyo.
- He achieved victory through two strong performances in Surat.
- His coach, Dr. Mohammad Aijaz Khan, has significantly influenced his career.
- Sohail's recent success includes a historic silver medal at the Kudo World Cup 2025.
- He aims to continue his legacy as the ‘Golden Boy of Madhya Pradesh’.
Surat, Aug 3 (NationPress) - Sohail Khan, recognized as one of India's top Kudo competitors, has successfully earned his place in the Indian team for the forthcoming Fourth Kudo Asian Championship 2025. The selection trials took place on August 2 and 3 at the Athletica Fitness Centre in Surat, Gujarat. Sohail showcased impressive skills in the Adult Male -250 PI category, securing his position in the national team.
In his opening match, he achieved a knockout victory over Biri Tasso from Arunachal Pradesh. He followed this with a decisive win against Abhimanyu Godara from Rajasthan, finishing the final with a submission. These remarkable performances have guaranteed his spot in the Indian team for the championship, set to take place in Tokyo, Japan from November 1 to 4.
After his qualification, Sohail expressed, “It’s truly an honor to be selected to represent India once more. Each competition is an opportunity to showcase the hard work I’ve put in. I am thankful to my coaches, family, and fans. My primary focus now is on preparing for the Asian Championship and striving for a medal for my country.”
Under the watchful eye of his coach, Dr. Mohammad Aijaz Khan, Sohail's journey has been significantly shaped since his early days. The trials themselves were overseen by Hanshi Mehul Vora, the founder of Kudo India and a pivotal figure in promoting the sport throughout the nation.
Sohail’s selection follows his historic achievement at the Kudo World Cup 2025 in Burgas, Bulgaria, where he became the first Indian male athlete to reach a senior final in the event’s history, returning home with a silver medal. He overcame top competitors from Bulgaria and Lithuania before narrowly losing to Quentin Miramont of France in a thrilling final that extended into a third round.
Hailing from Sagar, Madhya Pradesh, Sohail has earned the nickname the ‘Golden Boy of Madhya Pradesh’. He boasts an impressive record of 22 consecutive national gold medals, an exceptional feat in the realm of Indian Kudo. Additionally, he is a former Junior World Champion (2017) and has claimed gold four times at the Akshay Kumar International Kudo Tournament.
As the Asian Championship approaches, Sohail is ready to represent India with pride, aiming for the top position on the podium in Tokyo.