India celebrated a historic moment at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow as Asmita Dey became the first Indian judoka to win a gold medal at the event. The 23-year-old from Tripura defeated Canada’s Heidi Quach in the women’s 48kg final after a thrilling Golden Score contest.

Asmita Dey’s historic gold comes after the Golden Score battle

Asmita made a slow start to the final and trailed after Quach took the early advantage.

The Indian judoka also received a penalty but remained calm and gradually fought her way back into the contest with attacking judo. Neither athlete managed a decisive score during regulation time, sending the bout into Golden Score, where the first scoring move determines the winner. Asmita held her nerve and executed the winning attack to secure a memorable victory.

Asmita Dey won the gold.
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Asmita Dey won the gold. X/@EnglishSalar

The gold medal ended India’s long wait for a Commonwealth Games judo title and made Asmita the country’s first-ever Commonwealth Games champion in the sport. Her triumph also reflected years of hard work and steady progress on the international stage.

Asmita Dey’s journey was built on determination

Asmita’s success is the result of years of dedication and perseverance. A native of Belonia in Tripura, she began her sporting journey in athletics before switching to judo at a young age. She steadily climbed the ranks by winning medals at the Junior Asia Cup, Commonwealth Judo Championships, Asian Open and African Open, establishing herself as one of India’s top judokas.

Her journey has also been deeply personal. Asmita’s father, a bicycle mechanic, supported her ambitions despite financial difficulties and played a key role in her career. Following his passing earlier this year, she remained determined to fulfil the dream they had shared. Her historic Commonwealth Games gold is not only a personal achievement but also a landmark moment for Indian judo, one that is expected to inspire future generations of athletes.