"Now people will recognize judo in India": Asmita Dey says historic four-medal haul at CWG 2026 will boost sport's popularity in India
By Adarsh Chauhan, New Delhi, August 4
Indian judoka Asmita Dey expressed her delight after winning the gold medal at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, saying the Indian judo contingent's historic haul of four medals would help raise the sport's profile in the country and inspire more youngsters to take it up.
Asmita clinched the women's -48kg gold medal after defeating Canada's Heidi Quach in a gripping Commonwealth Games final that was decided in Golden Score, securing India's first judo gold medal of the Games. She was later joined on the podium by Harsh Singh, who won gold, Yamini Mourya, who claimed silver, and Unnati Sharma, who bagged bronze, taking India's judo medal tally to four.
Asmita received a grand welcome on her arrival at Delhi's Indira Gandhi International (IGI) Airport on Monday night. Speaking to ANI, the judoka expressed her delight at India's historic medal haul in the sport and said she hopes the achievement will inspire more youngsters to take up judo.
"It feels very good. This is the first time that India has won two golds, one silver, and [one] bronze in judo; it is a very big thing. Now people will recognise judo well in India. And I want more children to take part in this and play," she said.
Asmita prevailed by Yuko (2-1) with a composed and determined display in the final.
The final began as a closely contested affair, with both judokas engaged in intense grappling and repeatedly forcing each other towards the edge of the mat. Quach struck first midway through the contest with a throw to take the lead.
The Indian responded strongly despite receiving a Shido penalty, producing a quick throw of her own to level the scores. Asmita grew in confidence as the bout progressed, launching several attacking moves while defending resolutely against Quach's attempts to regain the advantage.
With the scores tied at the end of regulation time, the contest entered the Golden Score, where the first scoring action would decide the winner.
Asmita held her nerve in the extra period and executed a well-timed throw near the edge of the mat to secure the decisive Yuko, dramatically sealing the gold medal.
Reflecting on her comeback after trailing 1-0 in the final, Asmita Dey said she remained determined to win the gold medal and credited that unwavering belief for helping her turn the contest around.
"I was determined that I had to take the gold only, so that is why I had to win," she said.
— ANI
Reader Comments
So proud of Asmita and the team! The way she fought back after trailing is a lesson in resilience for all of us. I hope the government and sports authorities now invest more in judo infrastructure, especially in smaller cities and towns where talent often goes unnoticed. Great job, girls and boys! 👏👏
This is fantastic news! I used to practice judo in school but dropped it because there was no proper coaching or recognition. If more parents see their children winning medals like this, they'll definitely encourage them to take up the sport. Asmita is an inspiration to every young girl who dreams of doing something beyond the conventional. 💪
Great achievement, but let's be honest—judo is still a niche sport in India. Unless we have sustained grassroots programs and consistent funding, one medal haul won't change things overnight. Having said that, this is a great start. I hope the Sports Authority of India capitalizes on this momentum and doesn't just celebrate and forget. We need long-term planning.
Wonderful news! I remember when I was a kid, nobody even knew what judo was. Now we have four medals at the Commonwealth Games. Asmita's “I had to take the gold only” attitude is exactly what our athletes need. More power to her and the whole team. Jai Hind! 🙏🇮🇳
So inspiring! The way Asmita stayed calm under pressure and delivered in the Golden Score is a masterclass in mental strength. It's also heartening to see both men and women winning medals for India. I'm going to search for judo classes in my area right now
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