E-Paper
Commonwealth Judo Championship: Pune judokas strike to send India top of medal tally for visually impaired
India won 19 medals in the visually impaired category. Part of the medal-winning contingent for the nation were Pune’s blind judokas -- Sonali Wajage, Renuka Salve and Ajay Birajadar
India’s blind judokas struck the big-time in terms of medal tally at the Commonwealth Judo Championship ongoing at Walsall, Birmingham.
India won 19 medals in the visually impaired category.
Part of the medal-winning contingent for the nation were Pune’s blind judokas -- Sonali Wajage, Renuka Salve and Ajay Birajadar.
For Wajage and Salve it was the girls’ first international tournament and each one a medal, silver and bronze, respectively.
Birajadar the oldest of three blind judokas also won a bronze medal.
Rachana Dhopeshwar, who trained the trio at Solaris Club, said, “I am still a greedy coach and wants to change the colour of the medal. I would be on the moon if all three medals had been yellow in colour. They will definitely learn from this exposure, especially the girls, as they are still very young and will prosper from here onwards.”
Speaking in particular abour Wajage, the silver medalist, Dhopeshwar said, “Wajage will learn from here. She was beaten by her own move and will need to focus on defence.”
Ajay Birajadar, who won the bronze medal in 73kg category said, “I need to improve speed and strength. Only then can I win medals at international level.”
Sonali Wajage, who won the silver medal in 44kg category said, “I need to work hard and practice more. Other players were really tough.”
Renuka Salve, who won the bronze medal in 63kg category said, “My techniques was very slow. I need to work on it in the future.”
Medal tally (visually Impaired) (gold, silver, bronze, ttl)
India 7 7 5 19
England 4 1 1 6
Wales 1 1 0 2
Scotland 1 0 0 1
South Africa 0 1 0 1
