Harsh Singh Celebrates Historic Gold at Commonwealth Games 2026
Harsh Singh's Dream Achievement at CWG 2026
Indian judoka Harsh Singh has described his gold medal win at the Commonwealth Games 2026 as a dream come true, expressing that the reality of his championship victory truly hit him only after the match. Despite this significant achievement, he remains focused on higher aspirations, with the Asian Games on his radar and an Olympic medal as his ultimate ambition.
The Indian judo team showcased an impressive performance at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, securing a total of four medals, which included a silver, a bronze, and two groundbreaking gold medals won by Harsh Singh and Asmita Dey.
Harsh Singh made history by clinching gold in the men's 60 kg judo category, decisively defeating Australia's Joshua Katz with a Waza-Ari score of 10-0 in the final match.
"Winning this gold medal makes me feel incredibly special and happy. It was an overwhelming experience, and it took some time for the reality of being a Commonwealth Games champion to sink in. While this medal is a proud achievement, my ultimate goal is to secure an Olympic medal. My immediate focus is on excelling at the Asian Games to take another step toward that dream," Harsh Singh shared.
Yamini Mourya, who earned a silver medal in the women's 57 kg category, expressed her pride in her accomplishment and noted that India's first-ever judo gold has inspired her to aim for the top in future competitions. She acknowledged the increasing level of competition and emphasized the importance of rigorous training, motivated by Sports Minister Mansukh Mandaviya's message about self-belief and prioritizing the nation.
Mourya's silver came after a tightly contested final against England's Acelya Toprak, and she stated, "I am proud to have won a silver medal in judo. This historic moment for Indian judo, with our first Commonwealth Games gold, has motivated me to strive for gold next time."
Unnati Sharma, who also celebrated a bronze medal win, shared her excitement and credited the Sports Minister's encouragement for inspiring the team. She highlighted her ambition to qualify for the Los Angeles Olympics and represent India on the global stage. Sharma secured her bronze after a remarkable Ippon victory over South Africa's Skye Knoester.
"I am thrilled to have won the bronze medal against South Africa's Skye Knoester. Meeting the Sports Minister today was uplifting, and his encouraging words reminded us to always put our nation first and to compete fearlessly. My primary goal is to qualify for the Los Angeles Olympics, and I will continue to train diligently to achieve that," Sharma stated.
India participated in 12 judo events at the Glasgow Games, achieving four medals—two gold, one silver, and one bronze—an improvement from the previous year's tally of three medals without gold. The historic wins by Asmita Dey and Harsh Singh marked a significant milestone for Indian judo, with Asmita becoming the first Indian woman to win gold and Harsh the first Indian male judoka to achieve this honor.