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India's Karate Breakthrough: Alisha's Bronze Powers Asian Games 2026 Push

Alisha Subudhi's bronze medal at the WKF Series A Karate Championship marks a historic first for an Indian woman at this level. Her success is powered by the Sports Authority of India's Target Asian Games Group (TAGG) scheme, which provides funding and high-performance support for non-mainstream sports. SAI established a Karate Organising Committee to manage selection and camps, including a major national coaching camp in Lucknow. With the Asian Games approaching, this sustained institutional backing is crucial for India to make an international mark in disciplines like karate.

Key Points: SAI's TAGG Scheme Fuels India's Karate Success Ahead of Asian Games

  • Alisha Subudhi wins historic bronze
  • SAI's TAGG scheme provides crucial support
  • National camp in Lucknow funded with Rs. 1.2 Crore
  • Karate Organising Committee ensures athlete preparation
2 min read

SAI's Target Asian Games Group (TAGG) scheme continues to power India's Karate push ahead of Asian Games 2026; Alisha's historic bronze medal stands testament

Alisha Subudhi's historic bronze medal, backed by SAI's Target Asian Games Group scheme, highlights India's growing prowess in karate ahead of Asian Games 2026.

"I specially thank TAGG for giving the financial support and organising an excellent national camp in Lucknow towards our preparation - Alisha Subudhi"

New Delhi, January 14

Alisha Subudhi's historic bronze medal at the WKF Series A Karate Championship in Tbilisi, Georgia, underscores that sustained support for non-mainstream sports disciplines can deliver significant benefits.

The Sports Authority of India (SAI), particularly through the Target Asian Games Group (TAGG) scheme, has been supporting combat sports disciplines such as Karate, where India has not delivered major results at the highest international level in the past, according to a SAI release.

Alisha, supported via the TAGG scheme, became the first Indian woman to medal at a Karate 1 - Series A event, defeating her Croatian opponent 8-0.In the bronze medal contest this month. A robust, high-performance ecosystem was created by SAI through targeted funding, elite coaching exposure, and intensive national camps.

SAI had funded a senior National Coaching Camp in Lucknow in November-December 2025, putting forward assistance of Rs. 1.2 Crore under the ANSFs scheme under the Assistance to National Sports Federations (ANSF) scheme, featuring 48 athletes. The 45-day camp, held at the SAI Regional Centre, Lucknow, focused on match simulations, tactical sharpening, psychological conditioning and recovery protocols. Alisha was a part of the camp.

"I specially thank TAGG for giving the financial support and organising an excellent national camp in Lucknow towards our preparation for the WKF Series A," the 23-year-old Alisha said.

In the absence of a recognised National Sports Federation for karate, the Sports Authority of India ensured uninterrupted athlete preparation by establishing a Karate Organising Committee to manage selection trials, camps, and international exposure, thereby maintaining performance pathways.

The committee also conducted Open National Selection Trials in the Senior Category from 12-14 October at the SAI Training Centre on the NEHU campus in Shillong. The trials were fully managed by the Karate Organising Committee of SAI, ensuring compliance with international norms, anti-doping rules, and videography-based evaluation.

With major competitions like the Asian Games looming later this year, sustained backing through TAGG and SAI-led national camps is expected to play a decisive role, especially in non-mainstream sports where India has not made a mark internationally in the past.

- ANI

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
As someone from Lucknow, it's great to see our SAI centre hosting such an important camp. Investing 1.2 Crore and focusing on psychological conditioning is a modern approach. Hope this momentum continues for the Asian Games. Jai Hind!
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Rohit P
While this is a positive step, I have a respectful criticism. The article mentions the absence of a recognised National Sports Federation for karate. This is a systemic issue. SAI stepping in is good, but we need permanent, transparent federations for all Olympic sports to ensure long-term growth, not just ad-hoc committees.
S
Sarah B
An 8-0 victory is absolutely dominant! Huge congratulations to Alisha. It's inspiring to see a young woman from India making history in a sport like karate on a global stage. The focus on match simulations and recovery protocols shows we are adopting world-class methods.
K
Karthik V
This is the way forward. We have so much untapped talent in martial arts across the country. If SAI can create a proper pathway with camps in Lucknow and trials in Shillong, it gives athletes from all regions a chance. More medals in non-mainstream sports will truly make India a sporting powerhouse.
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Michael C
The detail about videography-based evaluation and anti-doping compliance is crucial. It builds credibility. International success needs this level of professionalism. Well done to the organising committee for maintaining standards.

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