India Wins First-Ever Judo Gold Medals at Commonwealth Games

Asmita Dey and Harsh Singh just rewrote Indian sports history, claiming the country's first-ever Commonwealth Games gold medals in judo on Friday in Glasgow.

The 23-year-old Dey faced Canada's Heidi Quach in the women's 48kg final, trailing 0-1 after receiving an early penalty. But the Tripura native stayed calm, pinning her opponent to level the match and force it into the Golden Score period.

In the sudden-death round, Dey executed a decisive attack to win 2-1. Her victory opened the door for Singh to follow just hours later.

Singh dominated Australia's Joshua Katz, the reigning bronze medalist, in the men's 60kg final. The Indian judoka controlled the pace throughout, wearing down his opponent with superior strategy and timing.

His breakthrough came with a perfectly timed attack that secured a commanding 10-0 victory. Singh leapt into the air, celebrating what both athletes knew was bigger than two individual wins.

Why This Inspires

Dey's journey to gold carries profound personal weight. Her father Arjun Kumar Dey died in 2015, leaving the family in difficult circumstances when she was just a teenager pursuing an unconventional sport.

"My father was very supportive," Dey said, becoming emotional. "After his death, it was difficult for us."

The Uttar Pradesh Police helped her secure employment while she continued training. Coach Yashpal Solanki worked with her at the National Centre of Excellence in Bhopal, turning raw talent into championship skill.

Both victories signal growing strength in Indian judo, a sport that has historically struggled for recognition and resources compared to cricket and field hockey. These gold medals prove that with proper support and dedicated athletes, India can compete at the highest levels in combat sports.

For young judokas across India, especially those from smaller towns like Belonia, two champions just showed them what's possible.