Kokila clinched silver in the women’s J2‑52kg after a dramatic semifinal victory over world‑champion Yi Liu, but was undone by a 21‑second ippon from Kyrgyzstan’s Aibike Ulanbek Kyzy in the final.
In the semifinal, Kokila registered a waza‑ari and a yuko, while Liu managed a waza‑ari of her own. A single shido penalty for a minor rule infringement kept the match close, but Kokila’s perseverance pushed her ahead in a tight contest that felt like a chess match.
The final erupted almost immediately: Ulanbek Kyzy landed a decisive throw that earned an ippon, sealing the gold in just 21 seconds. The speed of the finish left fans stunned and Kokila’s silver gleaming far brighter than the bronze she brought home from Hangzhou.
Coach Amar Singh praised Kokila’s resilience, saying, “She fought like a warrior, tearing down a world‑champion. The loss in the final is a learning moment, not a defeat.” Kokila herself noted, “I’m proud of the silver, but that 21‑second loss fuels my drive to come back stronger.”