From Running Track to Historic Judo Gold: Tripura's Asmita Dey Triumphs at CWG 2026
Aug 01, 2026
Transitioning from a district-level 800m runner to a combat sports pioneer, the daughter of a bicycle mechanic from Tripura's Belonia district secured India's first-ever Commonwealth Games judo gold medal after a dramatic sudden-death final.
The 23-year-old Asmita Dey clinched the women's -48kg gold medal on Friday after defeating Canada's Heidi Quach in a gripping final. With the scores tied at the end of regulation time, the contest entered the sudden-death Golden Score period, where Dey executed a well-timed throw to secure a decisive Yuko (2-1).
Following the bout, an emotional Dey dedicated the victory to her late father, Arjun Kumar Dey, who passed away seven months ago on December 15. "When my father passed away, I thought everything had finished because he was the one who supported me," she said, holding back tears. "Before passing, Papa told me to take my dreams forward".
According to a profile on Olympics.com, Dey’s sporting life originally began on the running track before a coach introduced her to judo. She received her early training from coach Bina Debnath at the Belonia Vidyapeeth Coaching Centre and Manik Lal Deb at the Tripura Sports School. By 2018, her domestic success earned her a place at the Sports Authority of India (SAI) Regional Centre in Bhopal under veteran coach Yashpal Solanki, paving the way for her international rise.
Her victory pushed India's overall medal tally at the 2026 Commonwealth Games to 18, comprising four gold, nine silver, and five bronze medals. She joins Mirabai Chanu (weightlifting) and para-athletes Sharmila Dhankar and Dilip Gavit on the list of Indian gold medalists.
The historic achievement triggered celebrations in her home state. Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha congratulated her on social media, stating, "Tripura's daughter Asmita Dey creates history! A daughter of Tripura has once again brought glory to the state on the international stage". State Sports Minister Tinku Roy echoed the sentiment, noting that her unique achievement will serve as a massive inspiration for aspiring sportspersons across India.
