Tripura CM felicitates Commonwealth gold medallist Asmita Dey
Agartala, Aug 5
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha on Wednesday felicitated the state's ace judoka Asmita Dey for scripting history by winning India's first-ever gold medal in judo at the Commonwealth Games, describing her achievement as a landmark moment for both Tripura and the country.
The 23-year-old became India's first-ever judo gold medallist by beating Canada's Heidi Quach 2-1 thanks to a dramatic Golden Score, which secured her the women's 48kg title at the Commonwealth Games 2026.
Asmita was born on March 22, 2003, in Belonia, South Tripura district, and comes from a modest family. She is the daughter of Arjun Kumar Dey, who runs a bicycle repair shop, and initially took part in the 800 metres before being introduced to judo by a coach who noticed her potential. Her father died a few years back.
During a meeting with the champion judoka at Tripura Bhawan in New Delhi, the Chief Minister congratulated Asmita Dey on her historic accomplishment and praised her unwavering determination, discipline, perseverance and dedication, saying that her exceptional performance on the international stage has brought immense pride and honour to Tripura as well as the entire nation.
Congratulating the young athlete, Saha said Asmita's remarkable triumph has not only created history for Indian judo but has also established Tripura as a state capable of producing world-class sporting talent.
"Asmita Dey's historic achievement on the international stage is a landmark moment for Indian sports and a matter of immense pride for Tripura. Her dedication, determination and sporting excellence have made the entire state and the country proud," the Chief Minister said.
He said Asmita's inspiring journey from Tripura to the top of the international podium reflects the rewards of hard work, commitment and perseverance, and would motivate countless young athletes to pursue excellence in sports.
"Her journey from Tripura to the top of the international podium will serve as a powerful inspiration to millions of young and aspiring athletes across the country. The State Government remains firmly committed to encouraging our youth, strengthening the sporting ecosystem and nurturing talented athletes so that they can excel at the national and international levels," Saha added.
The Chief Minister extended his best wishes to Asmita Dey for her future competitions and expressed confidence that she would continue to achieve greater success and bring more laurels to Tripura and the nation in the years to come.
Reaffirming the government's commitment to sports development, Saha assured the gold medallist that the state government would continue to provide every possible support, encouragement and necessary assistance to help her pursue higher goals and achieve greater success on the global stage.
He also reiterated that the Tripura government is giving priority to strengthening sports infrastructure, identifying young talent and creating greater opportunities for athletes to compete and excel at national and international events, ensuring that many more sportspersons from the state can emulate Asmita Dey's historic achievement.
— IANS
Reader Comments
Finally some good news from the sports ministry. But let's be honest — we need more investment in grassroots sports, especially in states like Tripura. This is not just her victory, it's the victory of every small-town athlete who dreams big.
What a proud moment for Tripura and India! Asmita Dey has shown that with dedication and hard work, anything is possible. Her father would have been so proud of her. 🙏🇮🇳
Very inspiring, but the government must ensure Asmita gets proper training facilities and financial support for future competitions. It's easy to felicitate after a win, but what about the years of struggle she faced? Let's make sure our athletes are not just celebrated on special occasions but supported consistently.
Golden Score ke moment ne toh sabka dil jeet liya! Asmita ne dikha diya ki talent kisi bhi corner se aa sakta hai. Tripura ko ab aur bhi sports infrastructure chahiye — many congratulations, champ! 🥇💪
Such a wonderful achievement! Coming from such a humble background and losing her father at a young age — her resilience is commendable. I hope other girls from the Northeast are motivated by her story. This is what real development looks like — nurturing talent from the grassroots.
N We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.