Asmita Dey wins India's first-ever Commonwealth Games gold in judo

India's Asmita Dey created history by becoming the country's first-ever Commonwealth Games judo champion after defeating Canada's Heidi Quach in the women's 48kg final at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow on Friday.

The closely fought contest was decided in golden score after both judokas finished level during regulation. Dey secured victory with a decisive Yuko just 25 seconds into extra time, sealing a landmark gold medal for Indian judo.

Golden score seals historic triumph

Quach struck first midway through the contest, earning a Yuko with an outside throw to take the lead.

Dey responded strongly in the third minute, executing a leg tangle to score a Yuko of her own and restore parity. Despite both judokas continuing to attack, neither could find another scoring move before the end of regulation, forcing the bout into golden score.

The Indian wasted little time in extra time, producing another successful leg tangle to register the winning Yuko and clinch India's maiden Commonwealth Games gold in judo.

The title capped a remarkable campaign for the 23-year-old from Belonia in Tripura. Dey began her run with an ippon victory over Scotland's Eva Ewing in the quarter-finals before edging four-time British champion Summer Shaw in golden score during the semi-finals.

Born into a modest family, with her father working as a bicycle mechanic, Dey initially pursued athletics before switching to judo. She joined the Tripura Sports School in 2015 and later earned a place at the Sports Authority of India's National Centre of Excellence in Bhopal, where she has trained since 2018.