By Firstdespatch Desk Jul 31, 2026
Agartala, July 31 (FD) Tripura's rising sports star Asmita Dey scripted history by winning the gold medal in the women's 48kg judo event at the Commonwealth Games 2026, delivering one of the finest achievements in Indian judo. The judoka from Belonia defeated Canada's Heidi Quach 2-1 in a thrilling final, adding another prestigious medal to India's growing tally at the Games and bringing immense pride to her home state of Tripura.
Asmita displayed exceptional composure, tactical awareness and defensive discipline throughout the competition. After progressing confidently through the earlier rounds, she reserved her best performance for the championship bout. Facing experienced Canadian judoka Heidi Quach, Asmita maintained her focus during the decisive moments and capitalized on crucial scoring opportunities to secure the gold medal.
The victory marks a significant milestone not only in Asmita's career but also for Indian judo, highlighting the steady progress the sport has made on the international stage. Her success places her among India's Commonwealth Games gold medallists and is expected to inspire countless young athletes across the country.
Tripura Chief Minister Dr. Manik Saha congratulated Asmita on her historic achievement, describing it as a proud moment for the entire state. In his message, the Chief Minister said that the daughter of Tripura had once again brought glory to the state by winning the women's 48kg judo gold medal. He praised her dedication, hard work and unwavering self-confidence, stating that her journey would continue to inspire the younger generation. Dr. Saha also extended his heartfelt congratulations and best wishes, calling her success a matter of pride for both Tripura and the nation.
Tripura Minister Ratan Lal Nath also applauded the champion, saying that Asmita's remarkable victory had made every citizen of Tripura proud. He highlighted her relentless determination and commitment, describing her achievement as a historic milestone for the state. According to the minister, her accomplishment reflects the immense sporting potential emerging from Tripura and serves as a source of motivation for aspiring athletes.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi also praised Asmita's outstanding performance through a social media post. Congratulating the champion, the Prime Minister described her victory as "a golden performance" and expressed pride in her remarkable accomplishment. He stated that her success would contribute to making judo more popular across India while extending his best wishes for her future endeavours.
Soon after clinching the biggest title of her career, Asmita dedicated her gold medal to everyone who supported her journey. She expressed gratitude to Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath for providing her employment in the Uttar Pradesh Police, saying the job helped support her family and enabled her to pursue her sporting ambitions.
Asmita, who hails from Tripura and is currently based in Varanasi, revealed the determination behind her success. She said her only objective before the final was to win gold for India, her family, coaches and supporters. She also shared the challenges she faced before the title clash, explaining that she had to limit her food intake to remain within the required weight for the mandatory random weigh-in before the final.
Despite the physical challenge, Asmita remained mentally strong. After successfully completing the weigh-in, she regained her energy and entered the final fully prepared. Her disciplined approach and confidence ultimately helped her overcome a tough opponent and secure India's latest Commonwealth Games gold medal.
Asmita Dey's historic triumph has become a defining sporting moment for Tripura and Indian judo. Her remarkable journey from Belonia to the top of the Commonwealth podium stands as an inspiring example of perseverance, dedication and excellence, encouraging future generations of athletes to dream big and achieve success on the global stage. FD SB