Young Achiever: Shahin R. Darjada

May 14, 2026 /Posted byPrajwal EW / 0

Based in Gir-Somnath (Gujarat), judoka Shahin Rajakbhai Darjada (20) is making waves in the national and international circuits. Last December (2025), she won a silver at the Senior National Judo Championships staged in Manipur in the 57 kg category. Earlier in September, she was crowned champion at the Asian Junior Judo Championships 2025 held in Jakarta (Indonesia), and bagged two gold medals at the Taipei Cadet and Junior Asian Cup and the Macau Junior Asian Judo Cup in July.

These achievements are especially noteworthy because Shahin — a class XII student of the Somnath Academy, Gir-Somnath — was born and raised within the Siddi community of African descent which inhabit villages in Gujarat’s Saurashtra region. These descendants of the Bantu tribe of the Zanj coast in South-east Africa, who migrated to India between the 7th-16th centuries, are now Indian citizens. An isolated rural community, Siddis have limited access to education and sports infrastructure. “I carry the responsibility of representing my entire neglected community, but I believe that with hard work and right guidance, it is possible to rise above any challenge,” says Shahin.

The fifth child of father Rajakbhai, a house helper in a government circuit house, and mother Faridaben, Shahin was introduced to this Japanese martial art at age ten when she was selected under the Young Talent Scheme of the Gir-Somnath region. Recognised early for her athletic/sports potential, she was admitted into the District Level Sports School, an initiative of the Sports Authority of Gujarat (estb.2013). Subsequently through grit and determination, she progressed to the Gujarat State Academy.

The year 2022 proved an inflection point when her coach Lal Krishan Baghel brought her to the high-performance centre at Vijayi Bharat Foundation in Ahmedabad. Here, Shahin was introduced to scientific training and a high-performance mindset that motivated her to intensify training to compete in international competitions.

Currently, Shahin is focused on the LA Olympic Games 2028. “I understand that hard, continuous training is necessary for international judo tournaments. I am ready to endure pain to bring home an Olympic medal for India,” says this budding champion.

The force be with you!

Runa Mukherjee Parikh (Ahmedabad)

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Tags: EducationWorld May 2026

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Young Achiever: Shahin R. Darjada

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