Indian Judokas Shine at Commonwealth Games 2026 with Gold Medals

Celebrating Gold Medal Victories

In a remarkable display of skill and determination, Defence Minister Rajnath Singh has praised Indian judokas Harsh Singh and Asmita Dey for their outstanding performances at the Commonwealth Games 2026 held in Glasgow. Both athletes secured gold medals, showcasing their dedication and fearless spirit.

Harsh Singh triumphed in the men’s 60kg category, defeating Australia’s Joshua Katz with a decisive Waza-Ari score of 10-0 in the final match. Meanwhile, Asmita Dey claimed victory in the women’s 48kg event, overcoming Canada’s Heidi Quach with a Yuko score of 2-1, demonstrating her composure and determination throughout the bout.

In a post on X, Rajnath Singh congratulated Harsh Singh, highlighting his courage and technical prowess. He expressed that Harsh's achievement would serve as an inspiration for future generations of judokas, stating, "Congratulations to Harsh Singh on scripting history with a Gold Medal in the Men’s 60 kg Judo event at the Commonwealth Games 2026. His fearless spirit, technical excellence, and unwavering resolve have earned India another moment of pride on the international stage. May he continue to scale greater heights and inspire a new generation of judokas."

Similarly, Singh commended Asmita Dey for her gold medal win, attributing her success to her dedication and focused training. He remarked, "Phenomenal effort by Asmita Dey! Delighted that she has won the gold medal in the women’s 48kg judo event at the Commonwealth Games 2026. Her success at the #CWG26 is due to her commitment, focused training, and full determination. I am sure she will continue to make India proud in the times to come."

Harsh's disciplined performance marked India’s second judo gold medal of the Games, following Asmita's earlier victory. In the final, Katz started aggressively, attempting to gain an early lead, but Harsh's solid defense thwarted any scoring chances for the Australian. The initial exchanges saw both judokas attacking without securing points.

At one point, Katz nearly pinned Harsh, but the Indian judoka managed to escape and counterattack. The match remained scoreless for a significant duration until Harsh executed a perfectly timed throw at the 3:19 mark, pinning Katz and earning a Waza-Ari, which clinched him the title.

On the other hand, Asmita's final was fiercely contested, with both competitors grappling intensely and pushing each other towards the mat's edge. Quach initially took the lead with a throw, but Asmita quickly responded with a throw of her own, leveling the score despite receiving a Shido penalty. As the match progressed, Asmita's confidence grew, and she launched several attacks while effectively defending against Quach's attempts.

With the scores tied at the end of regulation, the match entered Golden Score, where the first to score would win. Asmita maintained her composure during this tense period and executed a well-timed throw near the mat's edge, securing the decisive Yuko and dramatically winning the gold medal.