The juniors too gave a good account of themselves. But the JFI is concerned. No judoka has been able to win an Olympic berth so far and if they fail in the upcoming continental championships in Jeju, Korea, this will be the first time that India will have to go without representation since 1992.

The JFI is pinning its hopes on Tombi Devi, Anita Chanu and Navjot Channa. And Kumar knows India have to do a lot better in the Asian meet. “Considering the level of competition in the meet, it is always going to be tough. There are Japanese, Chinese and the Koreans. Moreover, the participation of former Soviet bloc countries will also come in the way of our judokas,” he said.

But pinning his faith on the threesome in the Asian meet in April, the JFI secretary added: “All good work done so far should be carried forward.” Of the 14-member team that the JFI will field in the Asian competition, only three judokas—Tombi Devi (40 points), Anita Chanu (12) and Navjot Channa (5)—have performances to look forward to. But nothing less than a podium finish in the Asian meet will earn them a Beijing berth.

And the three have already started their preparation. Tombi said: “Judokas from East Asian countries are good, but I need to win a medal to board the flight to Beijing,” said the Manipuri judoka who is employed with the CRPF.

In 2007, at the Brazil World Championships, despite raising hopes no one could book a berth to Beijing.