The 22-year-old prevailed 2-1 by yuko after a gripping contest that extended into Golden Score, delivering a landmark triumph that ended India’s wait for its first Commonwealth Games champion in judo. Asmita Dey became the first Indian judoka to win a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games after defeating Canada’s Heidi Quach in the women’s 48kg final in Glasgow on Friday. The 22-year-old prevailed 2-1 by yuko after a gripping contest that extended into Golden Score, delivering a landmark triumph that ended India’s wait for its first Commonwealth Games champion in judo. Asmita’s victory marked another milestone in India’s impressive campaign in Glasgow and represented the biggest achievement of her career.
The gold medal bout began cautiously, with both judokas engaged in a tactical battle and physical exchanges near the edge of the mat. Quach struck first midway through the contest with a scoring throw to take the lead. Asmita briefly found herself under pressure after receiving a shido penalty but responded immediately with a well-executed throw to draw level. The Indian gradually grew into the contest, taking the initiative with a series of attacking moves while keeping her Canadian opponent on the defensive.
Although a couple of her submission attempts failed to yield points, Asmita maintained her composure and absorbed Quach’s late counterattacks to force the contest into Golden Score. Having already won her semifinal in extra time earlier in the day, Asmita once again produced her best when it mattered most. The decisive moment came near the edge of the mat, where the Indian executed a superb throw to earn the winning yuko and seal a historic gold medal, triggering jubilant celebrations from the Indian contingent. Earlier on Friday, Asmita had secured her place in the final with another dramatic Golden Score victory over Scotland’s Sarah Adlington in the semifinal.
Her triumph is an instrumental moment for Indian judo, making her the country’s first Commonwealth Games gold medallist in the sport and providing a significant boost to a discipline that has long sought a breakthrough on the international stage. First Published:
Jul 31, 2026 9:05 PM
More Read
IST
Home Sports News Commonwealth Games 2026: Asmita Dey creates history, wins India’s first-ever judo gold
