Judo is everywhere in my house, says KIUG Gold medalist Jatin Tokas

Team L&M

It is no surprise that Jatin Tokas took up Judo as the sport he wants to pursue. He was born into a household that breathes Judo. He won the gold medal in the 60 kg category of Judo at the first ever Khelo India University Games taking place in Uttar Pradesh. Representing Delhi University he, hails from a family of international-level judo players, including his father and sister.

Participating for the first time in the Khelo India University Games, Jatin, reached the final in his event at Babu Banarasi Das University. He defeated Harsh Singh from Guru Kashi University to win the gold medal. After winning his first medal at the University Games, he remarked, “Participating in the Khelo India University Games for the first time and winning gold is a delightful feeling for me. This medal is special to me.”

The 19-year-old Judoka is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts and Commerce program at Delhi College of Arts and Commerce. He previously participated in the Khelo India Youth Games twice. He says, “I have participated in the Khelo India Youth Games in Guwahati and Madhya Pradesh. In Guwahati, I won the gold medal in the -50 kg category, and in MP, I won the silver medal in the -60 kg category.”

Appreciating the Government of India’s Khelo India initiative, he says, “It is an excellent platform. It is a great initiative by the government to promote youth sports. It will bring out the best talents and produce good results in their respective games, thus bringing glory to the nation. The Youth and University Games have produced many international players, and they will continue to do so in the future as well.”

In 2018, this Judo champion won Gold Medal at the Commonwealth Championship held in Jaipur. Sharing the news, he says, “I won Gold in the Commonwealth Championship in 2018. In addition, I also won Gold in the All India University event, which took place at Lovely Professional University in January 2023. I have participated in the School Nationals seven times and bagged four Gold and two Silver Medals. I also have a Gold Medal in the Cadet Nationals.”

Notably, his father Jagbir Singh Tokas is a Judo coach and an international-level player while sister Prerna an international Judo player. Says he, “My father is a Judo coach and works with the CISF (Central Industrial Security Force). He has also been an international player. My sister, Prerna Tokas, also plays judo. She secured the fifth position in the Commonwealth Championship held in England in 2019. She also competed in the Khelo India University Games last year and won a Bronze Medal.”

Practicing at the Baba Gangnath Judo Academy in Munirka, Jatin expressed his dream of representing the country in the Olympics and winning a medal. He is presently getting ready for the upcoming World University Games trials scheduled to be held in Patiala on June 14-15, Jatin said, “I aspire to win a major medal at the international level. I want to play in the Olympics and perform well in Judo in future.”