When the going gets tough, the tough get going. Asmita Dey has epitomised this phrase in her life, which culminated with a Commonwealth Games Gold in Glasgow.
The Judoka from Tripura etched history with the summit spot in Women's 48kg division, beating Canada's Heidi Quach in an intense final.
The 23-year-old girl, who has risen to the top, toppled many hurdles along the way. From financial instability to personal losses, Asmita has dodged past the obstacles to her Commonwealth gold, coupled with grit, determination and hard work.
With the swift Ouchi Gari, Tomoi-Nage moves on the mat, she floored her opponent. But outside of the mat, she is just a kid, who has been learning the trades. As MyKhel caught up with her in Glasgow, the Indian star was
just about to eat her lunch.
With the guidance of Mr. Yashpal Solanki, Asmita has sprung into life. After her early days in Tripura, she made her move through youth ranks and was given shelter at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) facility in Bhopal. Solanki, since those days, has been nothing less than a father to her.
The Confidence for Gold in CWG
And on Sunday, when we caught up with her, Asmita opened up her Pandora's box of hard work, resilience and success.
"I had full confidence in winning gold. I was feeling the pressure regarding the bout. I maintain a diary thrice a day, and my mindset was clear. I wanted to leave with the Gold Medal. "
Against Quach, Asmita was trailing. And despite being bamboozled for a couple of seconds, she recuperated and was determined to strike back.
"I could hear Sir (Yashpal Solanki) telling me 'Asmita Maar, Maar (Asmita Strike, Strike). I could hear him telling me that the gold is ours. So, I recuperated and got back to level terms within seconds after trailing. "
The match went to the Golden Score, and with a swift Ouchi Gari, she sealed the win, paving the way for India with a Gold medal.
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The Breakthrough
Asmita has always been determined. Her motive was always to be first in any competition. And the story of her ascendance began in her school days. While studying at Class 7, she got a Silver in the Juniors. Then at the School Nationals two years later, Asmita struck Gold. At the inaugural Khelo India, she got a Silver medal, and Asmita reckons that step was crucial in her journey.
"During the first Khelo India, Manik Sir and Pranab Sir helped me a lot. That medal was the turning point of my life. I got an opportunity to train at SAI Bhopal for that medal and could stay and get the stipend. It was a blessing for me, thanks to PM Narendra Modi Sir. "
"Mujhe hamesha ye hi laagta tha ki first hona he main, medal lana hi hain (I always felt like I had to win, I had to bring medals). I was never shy of working hard and even when I was in school tournaments, I used to get upset after losing, but immediately started to train harder. "
From the Khelo India scheme, a ₹10,000 monthly stipend helped Asmita in her early days. Asmita had a brief hiccup in the COVID years, which hampered her hopes in the last Commonwealth qualification. A defeat in the nationals final against Sushila Devi ended Asmita's CWG 2022 hopes, but she has more than recuperated this year.
The Michael Phelps Book in Kindle - Asmita's Training Mantra
A line from Michael Phelps' book 'No Limits: The Will to Succeed' has been the mantra for Asmita over the last few years. She read the book after her coach sent her a Kindle link, and that changed her training approach.
Training is an indispensable part of any athlete. But Asmita has mastered it at a different level. She says the training never stopped, even if she was not feeling up to it, she used to go and do a session. The mantra of '365-day training' captivated Asmita and she followed every bit of it, which has become the foundation of her success.
"I trained every day. Even on Sundays, during the menstrual cycle, I have never stopped practising. I read in Michael Phelps' book where he wrote, 'I train 365 days in a year', and that line stayed with me. Even when fatigued and when my mind didn't want, I used to go up and do a session," she says.
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The Yashpal Solanki Effect
And to oversee her training and her life, Asmita admits the role of Yashpal Solanki has been immense. Solanki, a one-time Judoka himself, found Asmita at SAI Bhopal and since those days, he has been a father figure for her. Beyond the mat, the High Performance Director has taken care of Asmita and other athletes like his own prodigy. And the mentorship has been beyond the mat, as he has been alert in every step of this Indian Judo contingent.
Asmita, who was immensely close with her biological father Mr. Arjun Dey, had to endure a tragic loss as he passed away late last year. But far from home, Asmita's abode had its parental presence through Solanki.
"Sir has been like my father. He has taught me everything - sharing live location to taking care of my fitness and sports perspective. He remains awake late at night when I travel home and only sleeps after I reach.
He is like this to everyone. He tells me to send me the screenshot of my screen time to monitor how many hours I am with my mobile, often watching reels (laughs). I have seen Sir backing up my opponent as well, giving them the same lesson, taking care of and focusing on everybody. "
The Immediate Focus and Food
She also urges the next generation to train hard and embrace the bruises that come with the game, and look after their fitness and curb their time on mobile phones. As a Bengali, Asmita's go-to food is Machh-Bhat (Fish and Rice), but she enjoys her Lachchha Paratha, Malai Paneer as well.
Asmita may have won the Commonwealth Games Gold, but her journey has just started. With the Asian Games on the horizon, the judoka has an eye on that. Beyond the horizon, Asmita will be preparing for the grand slams and other World Championships for her Olympic qualification as well.
When It Rains, It Pours: Asmita, Harsh script History as India Ends Commonwealth Games Judo Gold Drought with Historic Double Delight in Glasgow
As the Commonwealth Games concludes, India has found avenues to focus on in the coming years. Judo has emerged as a potential event to put the heart and soul, as coming years can only build on the recent trends. Although India is still a way off from challenging the globe, Asmita will surely be a central figure as Judo bolsters itself in the coming years.
For now, Asmita remains the history maker for India, with many records still to break along the way.
