# Ghaziabad Manju Nayal Sets Historic Record As Indias First Female Kurash Referee For 2026 Asian Games In Japan

> Manju Nayal from Ghaziabad has made history by becoming the first Indian woman referee selected for the martial art of Kurash at the 2026 Asian Games.

**Type:** article · **Category:** Sports · **Published:** 2026-09-16 · **Source:** TrendKia
**Canonical:** https://trendkia.com/en/sports/eshiyana-gemsa-men-kurasha-mukabale-snchalita-karane-vali-desha-ki-pahali-mahila-rephari-banengi-manju-nayal-ghaziabad-se-taya-kiy-32663 · **Language:** English
**Tags:** Manju Nayal, Asian Games 2026, Kurash, Ghaziabad, Gurukul The School, Female Referee, Indian Sports

Manju Nayal, a sports expert from Ghaziabad, has scripted a historic achievement in Indian sports. Once harboring dreams of winning medals on the mat as an active competitor, she is now prepared to oversee global contests at the grandest international stage. She has been officially selected to represent India at the upcoming 2026 Asian Games to be held in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan. She will assume the highly prestigious role of an International Technical Official, serving as a referee for the traditional martial art of Kurash, which is closely related to wrestling and combat disciplines. This selection makes her the first female referee from India to achieve this elite distinction in the sport. Currently, she is contributing to the academic and athletic community as the physical education coordinator at Gurukul The School, located in Dasna, Ghaziabad.

## The Road from Judo Competitor to Three-Star Referee
Manju’s connection with sports is deeply rooted in her personal journey as an athlete. She originally stepped onto the mat as a judo competitor, gaining firsthand experience of the intense pressure and physical demands of combat sports. Her passion eventually led her to take up coaching, where she guided young talents. However, her deep desire to understand the intricate rules, technicalities, and subtle aspects of player performance steered her toward officiating. Through relentless dedication and years of experience, she climbed the ranks to become a certified three-star referee in Kurash. Officiating at the Asian Games represents a massive professional milestone. She acknowledges that refereeing is both highly prestigious and extraordinarily challenging. A referee must constantly assess how well a player performed, determine the exact score for specific techniques, and evaluate the overall impact of a competitor’s moves with absolute neutrality. Since an athlete’s entire future and years of hard work can depend on a single refereeing decision, she is determined to perform her duties in Japan with the highest level of integrity, accuracy, and fairness.

## Unwavering Support and Unique Family Dynamics
This remarkable journey would not have been possible without the constant encouragement of her family. Her husband, two daughters, and mother-in-law have stood by her side through every obstacle and triumph. The news of her selection brought immense celebration to her household and garnered warm congratulations from her colleagues at Gurukul The School. Interestingly, sports are woven into the very fabric of her family life. Manju’s eldest daughter is also a national-level Kurash player, creating a fascinating dynamic. Inside their home, Manju is simply a loving mother. However, when they are at school, her daughter maintains professional boundaries and addresses her as Ma’am. Furthermore, during official tournaments, the daughter respects her mother’s role as an impartial referee on the mat. These distinct relationships highlight how smoothly Manju balances her personal and professional spheres.

## Preparations for Japan and a Powerful Message
As the date of her departure draws near, Manju feels a blend of immense excitement and the natural pressure that comes with representing her country. She is scheduled to depart for Japan on September 21 and will return to India on October 1 after completing her prestigious assignment. Her journey carries an inspiring message for young girls and parents across the nation. She firmly believes that girls should never abandon their ambitions due to societal negativity or discouraging comments. If a family provides unwavering support, external criticisms can easily be ignored to forge a path to success. She also urges parents to involve both sons and daughters in sports from an early age. In her view, athletic participation is just as critical as academic education because it nurtures physical health, overall fitness, and robust self-confidence in growing children.

## What this means for you
This historic milestone highlights the rising prominence of Indian women in international sports officiating and administration.

- **Across India:** The selection inspires female athletes to explore careers in sports officiating and technical roles. It proves that sports pathways extend far beyond active competition into global administration.
- **In Uttar Pradesh:** The achievement brings immense recognition to the grassroots sports training ecosystem in Ghaziabad and Dasna. Local schools and academies are likely to see increased parental support for children pursuing combat sports.
- **For Kurash and Martial Arts:** India's representation at the technical level will boost the popularity of niche martial arts like Kurash nationwide. It will encourage more youngsters to take up non-mainstream sports with serious professional aspirations.
- **For School Sports Education:** The appointment highlights the high caliber of physical education instructors working in Indian schools. It sets a brilliant benchmark for academic institutions to prioritize hiring experienced national-level experts to train students.

## Why this happened
Manju Nayal's historic selection as an international technical official is the result of her transition from active competition to mastering the technical rules of combat sports.

- **Elite Technical Qualifications:** Her rise to becoming a certified three-star referee in Kurash made her a prime candidate for international selection. This certification requires years of demonstrated expertise, deep understanding of martial arts techniques, and precise judgment.
- **Vast Grassroots Experience:** Transitioning from a judo player to a coach allowed her to understand the sport from multiple dimensions. This dual experience of coaching and competing gave her the critical judgment skills needed to make split-second scoring decisions under pressure.
- **Rigorous Selection Standards:** The Asian Games organizing committee selects officials based on high transparency, integrity, and proven track records. Her consistent performance at national and international tournaments secured her position as the first Indian female referee for the event.

## Questions & Answers

### 1. Who is Manju Nayal and what historic feat has she achieved?
Manju Nayal is a sports expert from Ghaziabad who has become the first Indian female referee selected to officiate Kurash at the 2026 Asian Games in Japan.

### 2. What is Manju Nayal's current profession?
She currently serves as the physical education coordinator at Gurukul The School in Dasna, Ghaziabad.

### 3. How did Manju Nayal begin her sports career?
She started her sports journey as a judo competitor, later transitioning into coaching and eventually becoming a certified three-star referee in Kurash.

### 4. When is Manju Nayal traveling to Japan for her referee assignment?
She is scheduled to depart for Japan on September 21 and will return on October 1.

### 5. What is the sports background of Manju Nayal's family?
Her eldest daughter is also an athlete who competes in Kurash at the national level.

## Inspiration & Lessons
Manju Nayal's journey provides valuable lessons for aspiring athletes, professionals, and working mothers balancing career and family.

- **Continuous Learning and Adaptation:** Transitioning from a player to a coach, and finally to a referee, shows the power of evolving within one's field. When physical limits change, expanding technical knowledge can open even bigger global doors.
- **Balancing Multi-Faceted Roles:** Managing duties as a mother, school coordinator, and international referee requires supreme time management and clear boundaries. Success lies in executing each role with complete dedication without letting them conflict.
- **Strength in Family Unity:** Building a strong support system at home is crucial for long-term career growth. By actively involving her family in her journey, she transformed personal support into professional strength.
- **Overcoming Social Skepticism:** Her advice to ignore external critics and focus entirely on goals highlights the power of resilience. Tuning out negative opinions is essential when pursuing unconventional career paths.

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