Asmita Dey won the gold medal in the women’s 48kg judo event to become India’s first Commonwealth Games judo gold medallist [1].
This victory marks a significant milestone for Indian combat sports, breaking a long-standing drought for the country in the judo discipline at the Commonwealth level.
Dey secured the win in Glasgow, Scotland, by defeating Canada’s Heidi Quach with a score of two-one by Yuko [1]. Reports on the exact timing of the victory vary between July 31 and August 1, 2026 [1, 2].
The victory has drawn praise from Indian leadership. Manik Saha, the Chief Minister of Tripura, said that Dey’s gold is a historic moment for both the state and the country [2].
Reflecting on her journey to the podium, Dey credited her support system for her resilience. "Whenever I failed, he would tell me, 'Don't worry, you'll win the next time'", Dey said [3].
India has historically struggled to reach the top of the podium in judo at the Commonwealth Games. This gold medal represents the first time an Indian judoka has achieved the top spot in any weight category [1].
“Asmita Dey’s gold is a historic moment for both the state and the country.”
Dey's gold medal signals a shift in India's competitive standing within international judo. By securing the first-ever gold for the nation in this event, she establishes a precedent for future Indian judokas and may encourage increased investment and training infrastructure for combat sports in the region.
