In a significant moment for Indian sport, Siddharth Singh, an Indian Jiu-Jitsu fighter, expressed his joy at qualifying for the upcoming Asian Games. With Jiu-Jitsu making its debut at the Asian Games in 2018, this qualification is a massive achievement for India.
Jiu-Jitsu is a combat sport that involves ground fighting, strikes, holds, and throws. Despite not featuring in the Jiu-Jitsu event during the 2018 Asian Games, India has secured a spot this time around. The Asian Games will take place in China from September 23 to October 8.
Siddharth, who has been promoting the sport in India since 2012 alongside mixed martial arts, expressed his satisfaction at the progress made. Initially facing skepticism about the future of the sport in India, Siddharth is proud that Jiu-Jitsu has gained recognition from the Indian Olympic Association (IOA). He believes that if the sport performs well in the Asian Games, it could even become part of the Olympics, further cementing its importance and impact.
For the Asian Games, four weight categories for both men and women have been selected from India, with Siddharth competing in the 69 kgs category. He expressed his determination to bring home a medal for his country.
Siddharth highlighted the symbolic significance of India’s qualification for the Jiu-Jitsu event at the Asian Games. The fact that Jiu-Jitsu was not part of prior multi-sport events like the Asian Games or the Olympics led many people to doubt its future. However, Siddharth’s efforts, along with others, have helped the sport grow and gain recognition. Now, he hopes that the government, as well as the public, will support and embrace Jiu-Jitsu, giving it the momentum it needs to continue flourishing.
Reflecting on his recent achievement of winning his 10th national-level Jiu-Jitsu title, Siddharth emphasized its importance in securing his spot for the Asian Games. He became the first-ever player in India to achieve this feat in the sport.
Siddharth admitted that his training for the national championships was not particularly special. However, he mentioned that JJAI President Vinay Kumar has discussed the possibility of sending the Indian team to Kazakhstan for training ahead of the Asian Games.
Addressing his past experiences of competing with injuries, Siddharth acknowledged the physical difficulties he faced. Nevertheless, he remained determined to participate in competitions throughout the year to see how far he could rise in the rankings. Despite these challenges, Siddharth achieved a world ranking of 11 and an Asian ranking of fourth, providing a historic year for Indian Jiu-Jitsu.
Looking ahead, Siddharth shared that the upcoming Asian Games could potentially be his first and last appearance as a player. Nonetheless, he expressed confidence in his abilities as a coach, stating his belief in developing exceptional athletes and a formidable team. As a coach, he aspires to send a strong and talented team to future competitions.
Overall, Siddharth’s qualification for the Asian Games in Jiu-Jitsu marks a milestone achievement for Indian sport. His journey exemplifies the dedication, perseverance, and determination required to succeed in a relatively lesser-known sport. With the continued support and recognition of Jiu-Jitsu, India aims to make a lasting impact on the international stage, inspiring more athletes and promoting the growth of the sport.
