India's Asmita Dey has secured a Gold medal in the Women's 48kg Judo at the Commonwealth Games 2026 on Friday (July 31), thus scripting history as the first
Indian to win a Judo Gold in the competition.
After a stellar outing across the knockout matches, Asmita managed a 2-1 win over Canada's Heidi Quach and won her Gold via a Golden Point after the normal time.
Who is Asmita Dey?
Asmita Dey has emerged as one of India's most promising young judokas in the women's -48 kg (extra-lightweight) category. Hailing from a modest background in Belonia, South Tripura, the 23-year-old has steadily climbed the ranks through determination, technical skill, and composure on the mat.
Early Life and Background
Born and raised in Belonia, the district headquarters of South Tripura, Asmita comes from a humble family. She is the daughter of a bicycle mechanic who raised three siblings under challenging circumstances. Her entry into competitive sports was almost accidental. Initially focused on athletics-particularly the 800 metres, where she even cleared district trials-she was introduced to judo by a coach during a local trial. The sport quickly captured her interest and became her passion.
This switch proved transformative. Supported early on by opportunities through the Khelo India programme, Asmita moved far from home to train at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Regional Centre (later National Centre of Excellence) in Bhopal. She has credited the excellent facilities, food, accommodation, and coaching there for her growth.
Training and Mentorship
At SAI NCOE Bhopal, Asmita trains under veteran coach Yashpal Solanki. She has been part of the Target Olympic Podium Scheme (TOPS) development group, benefiting from scientific support in strength and conditioning, physiotherapy, sports psychology, nutrition, and recovery. She practices in multiple sessions daily and has cited senior Indian judoka Avtar Singh as an inspiration.
Her selection for major events, including the 2026 Commonwealth Games, highlights the high-performance ecosystem at the Bhopal centre, which also produced other CWG judokas such as Shraddha Chopade, Avtar Singh, and Yash Ghangas.
Asmita is a UP Police Sub Inspector
Asmita works as a sub-inspector in the Uttar Pradesh police as she was appointed by the UP government for her skills. The youngster also has a very close conncection with her family. Asmita had to endure a personal tragedy ahead of the CWG 2026, as she lost her father in December last year. Asmita was very close to her father and she overcame the personal loss to rise highest in this tournament.
