Mixed feelings for Neha

Thakur,who participated in the 44kg category in the competition,won bronze in the mixed team event,something that was unique to the YOG. Unlike other multi-discipline competitions,the mixed team event here included judokas from every participating country.

“Everywhere,we participate as Indians. But here,once we are inside the arena,we are only known by our team. It was something completely different; there was something special,” 17-year-oldThakur said.

“It was amazing; I have never experienced anything like that before,” Thakur added. “There were 104 participants in the competition,from 77 countries of the world. We were divided into 13 teams of eight each — four boys and four girls. It was a complete mix; we all knew each other as competitors but never thought we would ever be playing as a team. Once together,we were named after the 13 cities,and I was in Team Barcelona. It was so much fun,” she added.

Her coach Suman Gogi said: “She speaks a lot,but she is very good. We were expecting an individual medal also from her but maybe it wasn’t her day.”

Thakur had managed to reach the third round before losing,but had a second chance in repechage. She couldn’t,however,get past Yoana Damyanova of Bulgaria.

Balancing act
The class 12 student of Sarvodaya Kanya Vidyalaya (Malviya Nagar) and a beneficiary of the SAI’s STC scheme,though,is not all about judo. “We have been strictly told not to ignore our studies. There are about 200 students in our school and all of us manage to do decently well in exams,” Thakur,who has been balancing the two for eight years now,said. She started off following her elder sister and brother — both have been national level judoka — and is now on the cusp of making it to the Asian Games squad.

Gogi agreed. “In India,academics get priority. I will never let any student of mine fall behind in studies. But the way she has been developing,I am sure she can make the Asian Games squad. We will try to find out about the criteria soon and start preparing her for the trials,” the coach said.

General secretary of the Judo Federation of India Mukesh Kumar said that Thakur had a realistic chance of making it to the Asiad. “She is good and is developing well. She has good grasping power and her performances have also been impressive. Age is also in her favour and I am hopeful she can make it to the squad,” he said.