Indian Judoka Sushila Devi provisionally qualifies for Tokyo Olympics


Indian Judoka Sushila Devi provisionally qualifies for Tokyo Olympics

Sushila Devi

Judoka Sushila Devi has provisionally qualified for the 2021 Tokyo Olympics. The Indian judoka qualified by claiming the continental quota but her participation is yet to be confirmed. The official confirmation around Sushila’s qualification will come only after the final list of qualifiers is released on June 28.

ADVERTISEMENT

Sushila Devi is currently ranked 7th in Asia with in the 48kg category with 989 points. The continental quotas are allotted based on a judoka’s ranking in the region and Asia has 10 quota slots.

The information shown is provisional and only shows which judoka would be qualified, if the Olympic Games were today,” the International Judo Federation website stated. “The list will likely change significantly until 28th June 2021, which is the deadline for obtaining points for Olympic qualification.

Kiren Rijiju congratulates Sushila Devi

Kiren Rijiju
Kiren Rijiju

Only one athlete per National Olympic Committee (NOC) per division can qualify. Each NOC is entitled to only one spot through the continental quotas. As of now, it seems like Sushila will be the one representing India at the Tokyo Olympics. Union minister Kiren Rijiju took to Twitter to congratulate the judoka.

ADVERTISEMENT

Also Read: Countdown to Tokyo Olympics: Know your Olympian – Bajrang Punia

I congratulate Judoka #SushilaDevi for qualifying for #Tokyo2020 in the women’s 48 kg through the continental quota. Our athletes are putting their best efforts to ensure glory for India,” Rijiju tweeted.

The Judo Federation of India said it would wait for the final list. With another Olympic qualification event lied up following the ongoing World Championship, JFI feels that there might be significant changes in the rankings.

This (International Judo Federation’’s list) may change and it will be final only on June 28,” a JFI source told PTI. “So, I can’t say with certainty whether Sushila has or will qualify. Maybe we can know after the world championship is over on June 13 and IJF may issue another list.

ADVERTISEMENT

There is no Olympic qualifying event after this ongoing world championships. Moreover, India will get only one quota which will be between Sushila Likmabam (women’s below 48kg) and Jasleen (men’’s under 66kg),” he added.

Also Read: Know your Olympian – Neeraj Chopra