"Goal is definitely gold": Judoka Harsh Tokas eyes historic Commonwealth Games gold in first attempt
New Delhi, July 26
Indian judoka Harsh Tokas is aiming to script history at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, with the 81kg competitor setting his sights on becoming the first Indian to win a judo gold at the Games.
The 23-year-old, who will be making his Commonwealth Games debut, said he has left no stone unturned in his preparations and is looking forward to competing on one of the biggest stages of his career.
"The preparation is going really well. It has been at a next-level intensity for the past 2-3 months. I have given it my absolute 100% effort. This is the first time playing at this level; it's going to be a unique experience. I am competing in the 81 kg category. As for the challenges, I'll only find out the specifics once I'm there, but the plan is to play freely. The goal is definitely gold. No one from our country has ever won gold in this event at the Commonwealth Games, so bringing back gold would create history and be a wonderful achievement for the nation," Tokas told ANI.
Tokas has risen through India's age-group judo system after making his mark on the Asian circuit. He won a bronze medal at the 2018 Macau Cadets Asian Cup before recording a top-eight finish at the Asian Cadet Championships later that year. He also finished among the top five at the 2019 Asia-Oceania Cadet Championships.
Having progressed into the senior 81kg category, Tokas secured his place in India's Commonwealth Games squad through the national selection process and will be part of a six-member men's judo team competing in Glasgow.
India heads into the Games looking to secure its first-ever Commonwealth Games gold medal in judo. The country's best performance in the sport came at the 2014 Glasgow Games, where Indian judokas claimed four medals, including two silver and two bronze.
The Indian judo team will depart for Glasgow on July 27, with competition beginning on July 31 at the Scottish Event Campus (SEC).
India's original 14-member judo contingent has been reduced to 12 athletes following the withdrawal of men's 73kg judoka Arun Kumar after a positive out-of-competition anti-doping test and Birmingham 2022 silver medallist Tulika Maan due to a provisional suspension over whereabouts failures.
Despite the setbacks, Tokas remains one of India's promising medal hopefuls as he prepares for his maiden Commonwealth Games appearance with the ambition of creating history.
— ANI
Reader Comments
Glad to see young athletes from lesser-known sports getting recognition. Harsh's journey from cadet level to CWG is inspiring. But losing Arun Kumar and Tulika Maan to suspension issues is concerning - need better anti-doping education for our athletes. Still, all the best to Harsh! 🇮🇳
Incredible confidence from a debutant! This is the kind of attitude that wins medals. Judo is such a technical sport - hope our coaches have prepared him well for the competition. The reduction from 14 to 12 athletes is a setback, but if Harsh can deliver, it'll be a huge moment for Indian judo. 🎯
Love the fighting spirit! "The goal is definitely gold" - that's exactly what we need to hear from our athletes. But CWG debut is no joke; the competition will be tough, especially from countries like Canada and England with strong judo traditions. Hope he stays grounded and executes his plans well. 💪
Slightly concerned about the doping-related withdrawals. But focusing on Harsh - his bronze at Macau Cadets Asian Cup at just 15 shows he's been consistent. At 23, he's at the peak age for judo. If he can keep his nerves in check, gold is possible. Will be watching his matches closely! 🇮🇳🎉
Harsh Tokas has the right attitude - confident but not arrogant. His comment about "finding out challenges once there" shows maturity. This is exactly
We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.