Shraddha Chopade, 21, from Maharashtra competes in below 53kg. Her current world ranking is 36. 

India’s promising international judo player, Shraddha Chopade, is completely focused on the upcoming 2026 World Judo Championships scheduled from October 4 to 11 in Baku, Azerbaijan, to collect valuable world ranking points. Despite facing financial hardship, she is mentally geared up for the global competition.

“Good performance in Baku will certainly brighten my chances for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games qualification,” she told Sportsbackstory.com after one of her training sessions in Delhi.

Her current world ranking in women’s below 53kg is 36. It is the highest by an Indian across all categories this season. Judo is not a priority discipline. The Sports Ministry sends national teams for selective international competitions. In preparation for the Baku World Championships, the ministry has approved a training camp for the Indian judo team in Japan for 20 days. 

But to polish her skills, Maharashtra’s international judoka often has to spend her own money. Recently her father had to sell agricultural land to fund an international exposure tour to Paris. “It is very expensive to practice in a place like Paris. We have to spend roughly Rs 3 lakh per month on training, including coaching and meals. It’s expensive for a middle-class family. But there is no choice. If you have to improve your performance, international exposure is a must on a regular basis,” reveals Shraddha.

It is a big advantage to practice in Paris, according to Shraddha. “There are good sparring partners. The ambience is excellent for judo training,” she claims.

Despite having earned as many as 10 medals at international level, the Maharashtra government hasn’t offered her a job. “I have applied in several departments but yet to get any response,” she added.

EOM