Just a day after scripting history at the 2026 Commonwealth Games, Asmita Dey was back on the judo mat. There was little time to celebrate.
Felicitation events awaited, but training remained her priority. India’s first-ever Commonwealth Games judo gold medallist knows the next challenge is already around the corner.
Speaking exclusively to “The Daily Jagran”, the 23-year-old admitted that she did not even realise the scale of her achievement until she saw it being reported.
“I didn’t know I had created history until I saw the news. Before my final, my coach reminded me that India had already won silver in judo and that I had to win gold to make history. When I read the news, I told my coach that I had created history. He laughed and said, ‘Now you finally realise it.’ It was a very special moment.”
Asmita etched her name into Indian sporting history by defeating Canada’s Heidi Quach in the women’s 48kg final at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. With that victory, she became the first Indian judoka to win a Commonwealth Games gold medal.
Asian Games already on her mind
The celebrations may still be continuing, but Asmita has already shifted her focus to the next big assignment. The Asian Games are only weeks away, and she wants to get back to training as quickly as possible.
She is currently in New Delhi and is yet to visit her family in Tripura because of her packed schedule of felicitation programmes.
“The Asian Games are my next target. I want to complete my current commitments quickly so I can focus entirely on training. I don’t want to miss even a single training session.”
She also believes she needs overseas training before the continental event.
According to Asmita, countries like Japan and China have some of the world’s best judokas, and competing against them will require further improvement in her ground techniques, standing game and overall preparation.
Ronaldo remains her biggest inspiration
Away from the mat, Asmita draws inspiration from football icon Cristiano Ronaldo.
She says it is not just Ronaldo’s achievements that inspire her, but his discipline and mentality.
“Cristiano Ronaldo has always been my idol. I admire his mindset and the journey he has had in life. My dream is to win an Olympic gold medal and then meet him.”
A journey built on sacrifice
Asmita’s rise has not been easy.
Born in Belonia in Tripura’s South Tripura district, she grew up in a humble household. Her father, Arjun Kumar Dey, repaired bicycles to support the family and earned just enough to make ends meet. Despite financial difficulties, he continued to back his daughter’s sporting dream.
Asmita Dey’s biggest setback in 2025
The biggest setback came in December 2025, when her father suffered a brain stroke and passed away just days before she competed in the Commonwealth Games selection trials in New Delhi.
The loss left her heartbroken, but instead of giving up, she turned her grief into motivation.
Before reaching the top of the Commonwealth Games podium, Asmita had steadily built an impressive international record. She won the Junior Asia Cup title in Macau in 2023, claimed silver at the Asian Open in Kuwait, captured her maiden senior international gold at the Casablanca African Open in 2025, and finished fifth at the 2026 Asian Senior Championships.
She also dominated at the domestic level, winning multiple titles at the Khelo India University Games and becoming junior national champion.