Commonwealth Games 2026: Harsh Singh and Asmita Dey Win Historic Judo Golds for India
India celebrated a historic day at the Commonwealth Games 2026 as Harsh Singh and Asmita Dey won gold medals in judo. While Harsh upset Australia's Joshua Katz in the men's 60kg final, Asmita became India's first-ever Commonwealth Games judo champion by winning the women's 48kg title.
August 01, 2026: India enjoyed a historic day at the Commonwealth Games 2026 in Glasgow, Scotland, as judokas Harsh Singh and Asmita Dey won gold medals in their respective events on Friday. Their victories not only boosted India's medal tally but also marked a landmark moment for Indian judo on the international stage.
Harsh Singh clinched the gold medal in the men's 60kg category after defeating Australia's Joshua Katz in a thrilling final. Just minutes earlier, Asmita Dey had made history by winning the women's 48kg title, becoming the first Indian judoka to win a Commonwealth Games gold medal.
The twin victories added two more gold medals to India's tally and gave the country's judo contingent its finest day in Commonwealth Games history.
Harsh Singh Stuns Joshua Katz to Clinch Men's 60kg Gold
Twenty-three-year-old Harsh Singh delivered the biggest win of his career by overcoming experienced Australian judoka Joshua Katz in a closely fought final.
Katz, a multiple Oceania champion, several-time Australian national champion and bronze medallist at the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, started the contest strongly and tested the Indian throughout the opening exchanges.
The match remained evenly balanced until the closing moments. With just 41 seconds left, Harsh executed a superb waza-ari, the second-highest scoring technique in judo, to take the lead. He then defended with great composure during the remaining seconds to secure a memorable victory.
The result was considered a major upset given Katz's experience and achievements on the international circuit. Harsh's disciplined performance and calm approach under pressure earned him a well-deserved place on the top step of the podium.
His gold medal also underlined India's growing strength in judo and gave the country another significant boost in the overall medal standings.
Asmita Dey Becomes India's First Commonwealth Games Judo Champion
Earlier in the day, Asmita Dey scripted history by becoming the first Indian to win a Commonwealth Games gold medal in judo since the sport was introduced at the 1990 Auckland Games.
The 23-year-old judoka from Belonia in Tripura defeated Canada's Heidi Quach in a dramatic women's 48kg final.
What a day for Indian Judo! Congratulations to Asmita Dey, the first Indian woman to win Commonwealth Games Gold in Judo, and Harsh Singh, the first Indian male judoka to achieve the same feat. History made. The nation is proud! ๐ฎ๐ณ๐ฅ๐ฅ pic.twitter.com/GyDxzMsGdF
โ Shikhar Dhawan (@SDhawan25) July 31, 2026
The contest began on a difficult note for Asmita as she conceded a yuko and received a penalty, allowing Quach to establish an early advantage. However, the Indian judoka refused to give up.
She gradually increased the intensity of her attacks and fought her way back into the contest, levelling the scores midway through the four-minute bout. Her determination and resilience kept her in the match despite constant pressure from her Canadian opponent.
The final moved into sudden-death overtime, where Asmita produced the decisive moment. She launched a perfectly timed counterattack that earned her a crucial yuko, sealing a famous victory and creating history for Indian judo.
Asmita's road to the final was equally impressive. She had earlier survived a tough semifinal against Scotland's Sarah Adlington, showing remarkable fighting spirit to book her place in the gold medal match.
Her triumph ended India's long wait for a Commonwealth Games judo gold after decades of winning silver and bronze medals across different editions of the competition.
Prime Minister Narendra Modi Congratulates India's Golden Duo
Prime Minister Narendra Modi congratulated both athletes on their historic achievements and praised their outstanding performances.
In a post on X, the Prime Minister described Asmita Dey's victory as a golden performance that would always be remembered. He said her success would inspire more young athletes to take up judo and wished her continued success in the future.
Modi also congratulated Harsh Singh, calling his victory a historic achievement for Indian judo. He praised the young judoka's passion, dedication and determination, saying his performance reflected years of hard work.
Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha also applauded Asmita Dey's success. He described her achievement as a proud moment for both Tripura and the nation, adding that her dedication, discipline and self-belief would inspire countless young sportspersons across the country.
The remarkable performances by Harsh Singh and Asmita Dey have made the 2026 Commonwealth Games a memorable chapter in Indian sporting history. Their victories not only strengthened India's medal tally but also showcased the rapid growth of Indian judo on the global stage. With two historic gold medals, the duo has set a new benchmark for future generations of Indian judokas.
