Mumbai: Mumbai-born teenager Apoorva Patil won gold at the Commonwealth Judo Championship that was held in the United Kingdom between September 25 and 29. The 17-year-old defeated England's Megan Douglas to win the title in the above 70kg women's category.
Apoorva was selected after her promising performances in Cadets Asian Cup 2018 held at Macau and Asian Cadets & Junior Judo Championships 2018 held in Lebanon. Prior to her victory on September 29 to win gold, she also won gold in Khelo India Youth Games in January 2019.
Daughter of a policeman father and a home-maker mother, Apoorva said, "Winning is a habit which comes through discipline, I aspire to achieve the Gold in Junior World Judo Championship and Gold in Olympic 2024. I want to become an IAS officer to serve my nation."
She is currently studying in the 12th standard at S K Somaiya Vinay Mandir. Apoorva started practicing Judo in 2009 at the age of 10. She has also won several medals in the Under-15 category at the national level. This is the first Gold in the under 20 i.e. cadet category at the international level.
