Located on the outskirts of Varanasi, Bhatti village in Lohta panchayat often makes it to the headlines because of communal violence or the woes of Banarasi sari weavers.

But lately, it has been making news in distant lands — Mauritius to Bulgaria, China to France — as the Bhatti-Judo village. At last count, it was home to 15 national-level judo champions with more than 100 medals.

Republic Day yesterday brought Bhatti another medal when UP police constable Ram Asrey won gold in the 73-kg category at the Commonwealth Judo Championship in Mauritius.

The 25-year-old son of wrestler Shyam Lal Yadav, who made a name in neighbouring Jaunpur and Ghazipur districts, has created waves in at least seven countries, including China, Bulgaria, France, Thailand and Vietnam.

He won the gold and best judoka award at the Mumbai Nationals in 2006 and top honours at the Junior Nationals in Warangal in 2004. Earlier employed with the Railways, Ram Asrey also has in his kitty a silver from the World Railway Games.

UP Olympic Association Secretary General and international judo referee Munawar Anzar points out that the state now has three international judokas: Garima Chaudhary from Meerut, Arjuna Award recipient Akram Shah from Saharanpur and Ram Asrey.

“Both Garima and Ram Asrey have won gold for India in Mauritius, where the country has already won 12 junior and senior gold medals in the judo championship,” Anzar said.

But Ram Asrey isn’t the only one doing Bhatti proud. His coach Lal Kumar says the list of the village’s judo champions also includes his elder brother German Yadav, now a CRPF employee based in Delhi. Between them, the two brothers have over 30 judo medals, won at state, national and international levels.

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