Why in News? Who is Ashmita Dey? Historic First CWG Judo Gold Medalist

At the 23rd Commonwealth Games 2026 (Glasgow CWG 2026) in Glasgow, Scotland, Indian judoka Ashmita Dey (Asmita Dey) scripted history by winning the Gold Medal in the Women's 48kg category. Asmita's triumph is extraordinary, marking India's FIRST EVER Gold Medal in Judo in the 96-year history of the Commonwealth Games.
Ashmita Dey secured this golden milestone by defeating Canada's top seed Heidi Quach in the extra time ('Golden Score' / Sudden Death). This victory elevated India's gold count to 5 in the official CWG 2026 Medals Tally. In the same tournament, Harsh Singh won Gold in Men's 60kg Judo and Yamini Mourya secured Silver in Women's 57kg Judo.
Ashmita Dey: At a Glance (Quick Fact Sheet)
| Parameter | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Ashmita Dey (Asmita Dey) |
| Hometown | Belonia, South Tripura |
| Current Profession | Sub-Inspector (SI), Uttar Pradesh Police (UP Police) |
| Sport Discipline | Judo (Women's 48kg Category) |
| Training Academy | SAI Regional Centre, Bhopal (Madhya Pradesh) |
| Head Coach | Yashpal Solanki |
Fulfilling Late Father's Dream & Role as UP Police Sub-Inspector
- Tears of Emotion & Late Father's Dream: As the Gold medal was placed around her neck on the podium, tears streamed down Ashmita Dey's eyes. She dedicated her historic victory to her late father, whose lifelong dream was to see his daughter bring glory to India on the global stage.
- Sub-Inspector in Uttar Pradesh Police: Recognizing her exemplary achievements in Judo, Ashmita Dey was appointed as a Sub-Inspector (SI) in UP Police under the sports quota. Ashmita shared that employment provided her financial security to train relentlessly for the Commonwealth Games.
- Congratulations from PM Narendra Modi & Vice President: Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Vice President congratulated Ashmita Dey and Harsh Singh for their historic gold-winning performances in Judo.
CWG 2026 Journey: Quarter-Finals to Golden Score Gold Victory

1. Quarter-Final: Dominated Eva Ewing (Scotland) via Ippon
- Quarter-Final Bout: Asmita started her campaign against host Scotland's Eva Ewing. Demonstrating flawless technical aggression, she scored an 'Ippon' (knockout throw in Judo) early in the bout to march into the semi-finals.
2. Semi-Final: Defeated Summer Shaw (1-0 Yuko) to Secure Final Spot
- Semi-Final Bout: In the semi-finals, Asmita faced another Scottish contender Summer Shaw. Maintaining tactical defense and swift counter-attacks, she won by 1-0 Yuko to guarantee a podium finish for India.
3. Grand Final: Thrilling 'Golden Score' Victory Over Heidi Quach (Canada)
- Golden Score Triumph: In the intense final against Canada's Heidi Quach, regular time ended at 0-0. The match stretched into 'Golden Score' (Sudden Death), where Asmita executed a decisive Waza-ari throw to claim India's historic Gold medal.
From Tripura Athletics to Bhopal SAI: Inspiring Journey of Ashmita Dey

1. Transition from 800m Track Runner to Professional Judoka
- Pride of Tripura: Ashmita Dey hails from Belonia town in South Tripura. In her early childhood, she was a track athlete competing in 800m middle-distance running.
- Turning Point: During a district trial, witnessing local judokas executing throws sparked her passion for martial arts, prompting her to switch completely from athletics to Judo.
2. Training at SAI Regional Centre Bhopal under Coach Yashpal Solanki
- Madhya Pradesh Bhopal Connection: The Sports Authority of India (SAI) Regional Centre in Bhopal, Madhya Pradesh played a central role in polishing Asmita's technique, where she has trained for several years.
- Guidance of Coach Yashpal Solanki: Under renowned Judo coach Yashpal Solanki, Asmita mastered grip controls, counter-footwork, and Sudden Death strategies.
CWG 2026 India's Gold Champions & Interlinked Profiles
Explore detailed biography profiles of India's CWG 2026 Gold Medal winners across different sports disciplines:
- 🥇 Mirabai Chanu Biography: Historic 3rd consecutive CWG Gold in Weightlifting 48kg.
- 🥇 Sharmila Dhankar Biography: Gold medal in Women's Shot Put F57 Para Athletics.
- 🥇 Dilip Gavit Biography: Gold medal in Men's 100m T47 sprint with 10.71s Games Record.
- 📊 CWG 2026 Live Medal Standings & India Tally: Complete updated standings of all 23 Indian medal winners.
MPPSC & UPSC Exam Notes: Ashmita Dey Quick Revision Grid
Practice Questions
1Who is Ashmita Dey, who created history at Commonwealth Games 2026?
2Which Indian athlete won the Gold medal in Women's 48kg Judo at Commonwealth Games 2026?
3Who became the first ever Indian judoka to win a Gold medal in Commonwealth Games history?
4Which Indian state/UT is Ashmita Dey originally from?
5In which MP city is the SAI Regional Centre located where Ashmita Dey trains?
6Which country's player did Ashmita Dey defeat in the CWG 2026 Judo final?
7In which state's police force does Ashmita Dey serve as a Sub-Inspector (SI)?
8What is the name of Ashmita Dey's head coach at SAI Bhopal?
Frequently Asked Questions
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