The promise, the pain and the gold: Asmita Dey's journey to CWG history

Asmita Dey became the first Indian judoka to win a Commonwealth Games gold medal, defeating Canada's Heidi Quach by yuko in the women's 48kg final at the 2026 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Dey lost her father, Arjun Dey, in December 2025 and battled a Grade-2 ankle injury before the Games.

Her coach, Yashapal Solanki, supported her through the loss and injury, encouraging her to continue and fulfill her father's dream.

Dey returned to training at the Sports Authority of India centre in Bhopal before moving to Solanki's academy in Delhi to prepare.

The gold medal was dedicated by Dey to her coach Solanki and her late father.