National | July 2026
India’s judo ecosystem received a major boost as Axis Bank, in partnership with the Inspire Institute of Sport (IIS), continues to strengthen the country’s Olympic ambitions through its Axis Bank Judo Development Programme. The initiative has now supported more than 500 athletes, with four women judokas earning qualification for the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.
The Commonwealth Games-bound athletes include Yamini Mourya (57kg) from Madhya Pradesh, Unnati Sharma (63kg) from Uttarakhand, Ishroop Narang (78kg) from Punjab, and Takhellambam Inunganbi (70kg) from Manipur. Their qualification highlights the programme’s sustained focus on world-class coaching, sports science, international exposure, and athlete development.
The programme has already achieved a historic milestone with Linthoi Chanambam becoming India’s first-ever World Junior Championship medallist in judo, winning a bronze medal at the 2025 World Junior Championships in Peru.
Since its inception, the initiative has created a strong talent pipeline by supporting 471 grassroots judokas and 53 elite female athletes. Participants have collectively won over 140 medals across state, national, and international competitions while benefiting from 11 international training camps in leading judo nations, including Japan, Georgia, and Uzbekistan.
The programme adopts a holistic approach to athlete development, offering world-class coaching, sports science, nutrition, strength and conditioning, mental wellness support, educational assistance, and international competition exposure. In Manipur and the North-East, collaborations with local stakeholders, including the Manipur Judo Association, along with mentorship from Olympian Sushila Devi, are helping identify and nurture emerging talent while providing athletes from underserved and conflict-affected regions with a safe and structured training environment.
Speaking on the initiative, Vijay Mulbagal, Group Head – Wholesale Bank Coverage, Corporate Salary, Sustainability & CSR, Axis Bank, said the partnership reflects the bank’s long-term commitment to empowering talented athletes through access to world-class infrastructure, scientific training, and expert support. He added that the qualification of four athletes for the Commonwealth Games demonstrates how sustained investment and the right ecosystem can transform sporting potential into international success.
Manisha Malhotra, President of Inspire Institute of Sport, said the programme was envisioned as a comprehensive pathway supporting athletes at every stage of their journey. She noted that its integrated approach—combining grassroots development, high-performance training, and sports science—has helped create greater opportunities for young athletes, especially women, while strengthening India’s long-term sporting ecosystem.
With an expanding grassroots footprint and a growing list of international achievements, the Axis Bank-IIS Judo Development Programme continues to play a pivotal role in building India’s next generation of champions and reinforcing the country’s aspirations on the global sporting stage.
