Asmita Dey Becomes First Indian to Win Commonwealth Games Judo Gold

Asmita Dey made history by becoming the first Indian to win a gold medal in judo at Commonwealth Games. The 23-year-old sportswoman put in a calm and confident display to overcome Heidi Quach of Canada in the women’s 48kg final at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on 31 July 2026. The success was not only India’s first Commonwealth Games judo gold win but also a crucial moment for the sport in the country, which had to grapple with the drought for many years before this momentous occasion happened.

Asmita Dey Makes History in Glasgow 2026

In what can be termed as one of the highest points in Indian judo, Asmita Dey won the women’s 48 kg gold medal in the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in 2026.

In a nail-biting final against Heidi Quach of Canada, Asmita managed to emerge victorious after Golden Score.

With this victory, Asmita has become the first Indian judoka to win a gold medal in Commonwealth Games, breaking the record of silver which was the best performances by Indian players until now.

This gold medal in judo also secured India’s first medal in judo in Glasgow 2026 Games.

Key Highlights

Asmita Dey won the India’s first-ever Commonwealth Games gold medal in judo.

She had defeated Canada’s Heidi Quach in the women’s 48kg final.

The title was decided via Golden Score after an intense contest.

The gold medal was won at the Glasgow 2026 Commonwealth Games.

Asmita became the first Indian Judo Player to become Commonwealth Games judo champion.

She advanced to the final after defeating Scotland’s Sarah Adlington in the semifinal.

The victory marked India’s maiden Commonwealth Games gold in judo.

How the Final Match Unfolded

The gold medal match played between Asmita Dey against Heidi Quach.

First Round

• The two athletes began tactically with cautious physical exchanges of attacks and defense.
• Halfway through the fight, Heidi Quach was the first to get ahead with a good throw.
• But, Asmita reacted quickly regardless of the Shido penalty received, and performed a clean throw to bring the fight on equal terms.

Final Round

• Since neither athlete managed to get an undeniable advantage during the pre-final phase, the final fight advanced to its final round, known as Golden score.
• With Asmita remaining quite calm under severe pressure, she managed to carry out a brilliant throw close to the edge of the mat, thus winning the contest.
• The victory was followed by celebrations after Indian judo achieved its greatest sport success ever at the Commonwealth Games.

Journey to Winning the Gold Medal

Asmita showcased the remarkable consistency within the competition.

Quarter Final

• She beat Eva Ewing from Scotland to secure her place in the semi-finals.

Semi-final

• Asmita competed against Sarah Adlington from Scotland in another equally tough match.
• The contest again went into Golden Score, where the Indian judoka displayed commendable composure to make it to the final.

Final

• She won against Canadian competitor Heidi Quach by means of yet another Golden Score victory to clinch the title of Commonwealth Champion.
• As evident from her performance in the two consecutive knockout rounds, she has an incredible mental strength and tactical discipline.

Major Milestone in Indian Judo History

Asmita Dey’s success heralds a new era in Indian Judo.

Before the competition at Glasgow in 2026, the country had achieved the following results such as,

• 5 Silver medals
• 6 Bronze medals
• No Gold medals

Her win has enabled India to become the Commonwealth Games judo champion.

This will certainly help inspire the new generation of judo players while promoting the sport in India.

India’s Commonwealth Games Judo Journey

The time India got a medal for Judo in the Commonwealth Games was in 1990.

Narender Singh won a bronze medal in Auckland.

• For a time people from India who do Judo have been getting medals but they have not been getting the gold medal.
• One of the people from India who does Judo in the Commonwealth Games is Shushila Likmabam.

She won medals like this,

• Silver in the Womens 48kg in Glasgow in 2014
• Silver in the Womens 48kg in Birmingham in 2022
• Asmita Dey is the first person to get a gold medal for India in the Commonwealth Games for Judo.