Ritik Sharma’s KIUG Gold Powers His 2026 CWG Charge

Ritik Sharma strengthened his status as one of India’s most promising heavyweights when he captured gold at the Khelo India University Games (KIUG) Rajasthan 2025.

The Punjab-born judoka has trained at the SAI National Centre of Excellence (NCOE) in Bhopal for the past six years, and his steady climb took another leap forward in Udaipur as he claimed his third KIUG gold medal.

Representing Lovely Professional University, Ritik entered his fourth KIUG with determination and left with dominance.

His victory carried extra meaning because he arrived in Udaipur immediately after suffering a first-round exit at the Asian Open Championships in Hong Kong.

Instead of dwelling on the disappointment, he used the experience as fuel. He analysed his errors, corrected his approach, and displayed composure throughout the tournament.

In the men’s +100kg final, Ritik defeated long-time rival Yash Ghangas. Their rivalry began in 2020 at the Khelo India Youth Games in Guwahati and has continued at national training camps and competitions.

Ritik acknowledged their shared journey and said that repeated matchups only push both athletes to improve. He stressed the importance of exposure trips abroad, noting how sparring with world and Olympic medallists helps athletes refine their techniques and understand elite-level strategies.

Ritik believes such experiences sharpen mental toughness, which he considers essential for sustained international success.

Ritik’s story started far from India’s mainstream sports hubs. He grew up in Gurdaspur, a border district in Punjab, where sporting facilities were limited.

Opportunities were scarce, but at age 14, he discovered judo and committed himself fully.

Training Roots and Early Discipline

As the youngest child of a Punjab Police ASI, he trained at the Shaheed Bhagat Singh JFI centre, which has produced dozens of international competitors.

The structured training he received there built the foundation he relies on today.

His international outings last year in Kazakhstan and Tajikistan did not yield medals, but he returned with valuable lessons.

That experience, combined with his KIUG triumph, has renewed his confidence ahead of the Senior National Championships starting December 11 in Imphal.

Ritik still battles one major obstacle: the lack of quality sparring partners in his weight category.

Heavyweight judokas remain rare in India, and he often trains with lighter athletes. Despite this, he pushes himself every day and focuses on continuous improvement.

With the KIUG gold boosting his momentum, Ritik now sets his sights on a bigger dream, breaking into the 2026 Commonwealth Games squad.

He believes his discipline, exposure, and competitive maturity can take him there. His journey from a remote Punjab district to national prominence reflects the persistence that fuels his next big step.

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