When we look at the wider view, knowing that there are athletes in the category in Tashkent such as 6-time world champion Clarisse Agbegnenou (FRA), world number 3 Lucy Renshall (GBR), Olympic medallist Ketlyn Quadros (BRA), we can understand why Tokas, ranked 124th in the world, might not be a natural target for the spotlight. Her first win at this level is significant though.
Tokas is only 18 years old, a member of the new Indian judo school, the same one which produced cadet world champion Linthoi Chanambam two years ago. It is unusual to see Indian competitors progressing at grand slam level, especially at this stage of the Olympic cycle, so perhaps we can take some time to acknowledge the work being done as it is huge.
14 Indian athletes arrived in Tashkent, the highest ranked being Tulika Maan, +78 kg, sitting in a continental quota place for the Paris Olympic Games, world ranked at 44th. She placed 5th at the Asian Games and at the 2023 Dushanbe Grand Prix.
On day one in Tashkent, in the -48 kg category, Swaita won her first contest against Kurbanova (TKM), throwing with uchi-mata for waza-ari early on and holding the score to the end with excellent contest management. She then lost to Bavuudorj and went out but it was a good showing and will earn her some points and an improved ranking from her starting point at 99th ahead of Tashkent.
At -57 kg, Yamini Mourya, ranked 80th in the world, also won her first contest, throwing Ilieva (BUL) with uchi-mata and holding in ne-waza to finish. See the clip here:
From a cadet world champion to now having a small number of seniors able to win contests on the World Judo Tour, it can be understood that the Indian team is putting in the work, taking their time to develop step by step. There may not be fireworks for them in Paris in 5 months time but perhaps there will be in Los Angeles or Brisbane. There is a calm progression that guides us to keep half an eye on their progress and so we will.