Unnati Sharma Celebrated for Her Bronze Medal at Commonwealth Games 2026
Unnati Sharma's Heroic Comeback
Judoka Unnati Sharma, who secured a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games 2026, received a heartfelt reception upon her return to Dehradun. She achieved this accolade by executing a remarkable Ippon victory against South Africa's Skye Knoester in the bronze medal match, finishing the bout in just 1 minute and 7 seconds with a perfectly timed leg hook that resulted in a clean Ippon, the highest score in judo.
A Grand Welcome
Her family and friends greeted her with enthusiastic chants of 'Bharat Mata ki Jai' and 'Jai Uttarakhand' to honor her achievement. Unnati was celebrated with a festive jeep parade adorned with banners commemorating her success. In an interview, she expressed her gratitude towards her parents and shared an inspiring message for the youth: "I am immensely proud to have won a medal for my country and state. This achievement is dedicated to my parents. After 10-12 years of rigorous judo training, I encourage the youth to persist in their hard work and stay on the right path."
Historic Achievements for Indian Judo at CWG 2026
The Indian judo team showcased an outstanding performance at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, bringing home four medals, which included a silver and two groundbreaking gold medals by Harsh Singh and Asmita Dey. Harsh Singh made history by winning gold in the men's 60 kg judo category, triumphing over Australia's Joshua Katz with a decisive Waza-Ari (10-0) in the final.
Asmita Dey's Remarkable Victory
Asmita Dey made headlines by clinching gold in the women's 48kg category, defeating Canada's Heidi Quach in an exhilarating golden score match. This victory marked India's first-ever gold medal in judo at the Commonwealth Games. Born on March 22, 2003, Asmita's journey has been filled with challenges, including financial struggles. Currently serving as a Sub-Inspector in the Uttar Pradesh Police, she has now made her mark in the history of Indian judo.
Looking Ahead: Glasgow 2026 and Ahmedabad 2030
The 2026 Commonwealth Games adopted a compact format, which led to the exclusion of several major Indian medal-winning sports such as shooting, wrestling, and badminton. India concluded the Glasgow Commonwealth Games in fourth place on the medals table, securing a total of 39 medals, comprising 13 gold, 17 silver, and 9 bronze. The nation has officially embarked on its journey to host the 2030 Commonwealth Games in Ahmedabad, with the Commonwealth Games Flag ceremoniously handed over during a spectacular Closing Ceremony that celebrated Glasgow 2026 while looking forward to the historic centenary edition of the Games.