Shaina Deshpande – class VII student of RBK School, Thane – bagged gold medal at the Sub Junior National Judo Championship held at Pataliputra Sports Complex, Patna from October 13 to 17. The tournament was organised by Bihar State Judo Association under the aegis of the Judo Federation of India. Shaina defeated her opponents from Mizoram and Mumbai. Around 700 Judokas from 29 states participated in the championship which was inaugurated by Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar.
Shaina started learning Judo right from the age of 3 under guidance of her father. She won her very 1st gold medal at Mumbai Mayors trophy in 2008. Since then she has continued Judo as well as fitness training regularly. She was the youngest judoka to participate at the MBMC interschool Judo Tournament at the age of 6 where she defeated a 13 year old girl from N H High School. Shaina has participate in different national level competitions such as in 5 State School Judo tournaments, National School Games Judo Tournament, sub junior national tournaments where she has won total 8 gold, 2 sliver and 2 bronze medals.
Shaina wakes up at 4.15 in the morning, does her fitness, strengthening and power training exercises before she leaves for school at 6.30. Shaina has performed above average academically also by scoring between 80-95 percent in the past few years.