TOISA 2025 Nominees: Spotlight on India’s Para Judo Stars

The Times of India Sports Awards is set to return with its eighth edition, celebrating the inspiring journeys and achievements of India’s finest athletes across multiple disciplines.

The much anticipated TOISA 2025 ceremony will be held on March 21, 2026 in Lucknow, bringing together sporting icons and rising talents who made the nation proud during the past year.This edition will recognise athletes across more than 45 sporting categories, honouring performances recorded between January 1 and December 31, 2025. Indian sport enjoyed a memorable year with impressive achievements across global championships and major international tournaments.

The awards aim to highlight both established champions and emerging athletes whose performances inspired fans across the country.The winners will be selected by a distinguished jury that includes legendary names such as Abhinav Bindra, PR Sreejesh, Mithali Raj, Devendra Jhajharia, Sharath Kamal and Leander Paes. Here are the para judo players nominated for TOISA 2025:Kokila Kaushik, who delivered a remarkable international season in 2025. Competing in the Women’s J2 minus 52 kg category, the Haryana athlete secured a gold medal at the IBSA Judo Grand Prix in Giza, Egypt.

The victory marked a major milestone in her career and established her among the top competitors in her classification. She followed that success with a silver medal at the IBSA Judo Asian Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan.

These achievements highlighted her growing reputation on the international para judo stage and reflected India’s strengthening presence in the sport.Rahul Rajora also enjoyed a breakthrough year on the domestic circuit. Representing Rajasthan, he won the gold medal in the Men’s J1 minus 73 kg category at the National Para Judo Championships.

The victory confirmed his status as one of the strongest competitors in his division and showcased his ability to perform under pressure. His national triumph made him one of the standout performers on the domestic para judo scene in 2025.Avidha Sharma from Delhi, who delivered an impressive performance at the 14th National Para Judo Championships 2025 to 26. She claimed the gold medal in the Senior J1 Women’s plus 70 kg category while representing her state.

The achievement marked an important moment in her career and played a key role in strengthening Delhi’s overall performance at the championship.Kapil Parmar, one of India’s most accomplished para judokas. Born on June 23, 2000 in Murli village in the Sehore district of Madhya Pradesh, Parmar continued his impressive international run in 2025. He won a silver medal in the Men’s J1 minus 70 kg category at the IBSA Asian Para Judo Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan.

During the peak of his career, he also achieved the world number one ranking in the J1 minus 60 kg category, a milestone that confirmed his position among the elite athletes in global para judo.As the eighth edition of TOISA approaches, the journeys of Kokila Kaushik, Rahul Rajora, Avidha Sharma and Kapil Parmar stand as inspiring examples of determination and excellence. Their achievements not only brought recognition to Indian para judo but also inspired many young athletes who aspire to represent the country on the international stage.